challenge and

response

The Mattachine Foundation sent out questionnaires to various candidates for potential office in Los Angeles. ONE takes this opportunity of cooperating with the Foundation by reprinting the questions and those answers received up to publication time. ONE does not make any political suggestions but publishes those answers for the general interest involved.

1. Would you support the inclusion of a non-partisan psycho-medical presentation of homosexuality in the required Hygiene Courses of Los Angeles's Senior High Schools?

2. Would you favor a parent-teacher, and/or minister-teacher consultation program for the purpose of emotional health and social guidance of those young people who begin to manifest subconscious aspects of social variance?

3. Would you favor that the Board of Education require that applicant for Senior High School Counselling positions be adequately trained to advise and guide young people manifesting such problems, using the most current techniques and knowledge?

Responses:

Mr. Leo Gallagher, Candidate Office

No. 4, Board of Education:

1. Yes. The findings of science should, of course, be used, wherever practical. 2. Yes. Same answer as No. 1.

3. Yes. Persons, holding themselves out as consellors to High School students should have adequate training to effectively discharge their duties.

Mr. Matthias W. Merrill, Candidate Office No. 2 Board of Education:

1. Yes. No problem can be successfully solved unless we understand it. I personally feel that it should be studied earlier than the Senior High School. Ground work in the Junior High School could be laid by the Physical Education Department if handled correctly.

2. Yes. All groups such as doctors, ministers, parents, teachers, administrators, psychologists, etc. should combine their knowledge and know-how to study and solve this unfortunate situation. Something MUST be done immediately.

3. YES. Every conceivable course of study in psychology, social mal-adjustment, human physiology, anatomy, etc. should be studied. It would be well to get men with doctor's degrees in Psychology to head up these Depts. if possible. In my opinion this is a MUST in our Los Angeles School Program. If elected I shall push this program to the best of my ability.

Mr. David Ravin, Candidate Office No. 2, Board of Education: 1. Yes.

2. Yes.

3.

Yes.

I am thoroughly sympathetic with your

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