And here is an item appearing in the Mattachine Newsletter for 17 December 1953 which seems to describe the policies of this society with an authoritative clarity:

PREAMBLE TO CONSTITUTION CHANGED OVER OBJECTION OF SOME MEMBERS

The preamble to the Constitution of the Mattachine Society was changed by a vote of the convention on November 15 at Los Angeles.

Gone from it are the words, "A highly ethical homosexual culture." Such reference, members and delegates believed, was incorrect, because the Society's aims were primarily directed toward full integration of the sex variant, and not the establishment of any special "culture."

Further, members believed that reference to "homosexual" in the preamble was ill-advised and incorrect, because the Society is not an organization of homosexuals, but rather a group interested in the problems of the homosexual and the sex variant. Statements were also made in which delegates told of difficulties they had experienced because of the implication of the words questioned when presented to persons whose aid was sought in connection with the Society's program.

The particular wording of the preamble was felt to be a handicap to the Society and prevented certain institutions and agencies from supporting the organization freely.

As adopted, here is the new preamble to the Constitution of the Mattachine

Society:

"We, the members of the Mattachine Society, believing in sexual equality, in full awareness of our social obligations as members of the human community, hold it necessary that the priceless integrity and freedom of the individual be forever maintained in our society; and, whereas the present laws of many lands are discriminatory; and, whereas we are resolved that all people shall find this equality; and, whereas we desire to spread knowledge of the aims and aspirations of this Society through mutual education of its membership and of society, We, therefor hereby resolve..."

Other significant accomplishments at the convention included adoption of several important resolutions, a set of bylaws for out of state chapters and for the Society itself, and changes in allocation of funds from chapters.

Previously, 10% of chapter funds went to coordinating council and 40% to area councils. The new formula calls for 40% to remain in chapter treasury, and 30% to go to each coordinating council and area council.

A specific resolution passed gave the coordinating council clear authority to operate the Society between conventions, but gave the convention itself the power to review and pass upon all actions of the council.

هن لع ها

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