FOR COURAGE:

ONE SALUTES

Curtis White

In a history-making TV appearance Curtis White of Los Angeles personally stated that he is a homosexual, that he has no regrets about it and that he hopes and believes the dominant culture and the homosexual minority can come to understand each other and live together in mutual respect. Speaking as a guest, representing the Mattachine Society, on "Confidential File," station KTTV's Sunday night sensational exposé show originating in Los Angeles, Mr. White was pointed out as a kind of Exhibit A at the close of a program featuring shots of a Mattachine discussion group, ONE magazine on sale at newsstands, and comments on homosexuality by Captain Stanley, Head Police Department, Central Div., Vice Control Staff, and Dr. Jas. Solomon, psychiatrist. Despite slanted questions from the moderator (who sought to present ONE as a civic menace to be wiped out in the interest of juvenile welfare!) the psychiatrist got across the obvious facts that:

(1) Anyone might be a homosexual (citing the moderator and himself as examples) and

(2) Not all homosexuals are criminals any more than all alcoholics or neurotics are such.

The police officer explained that homosexuals could not by any means all be recognized, and that some are very fine specimens of manhood... of physical perfection. Films of the Mattachine discussion group were shown without sound and actually revealed nothing but a group of men and women drinking coffee, eating cookies and chatting amiably in a homey living room. But Alfred Hitchcock-like shots of this commonplace scene managed to give it a very suspicious charater. The prosaic fact that ONE is sold on newsstands (it's been available at dozens of them locally for the past year and a half) was likewise presented in a manner calculated to suggest shady goings-on.

"Confidential File" is half an hour in length, and it must have required considerable self-discipline for Mr. White to await his turn through the highly slanted presentation. He appeared calm, confident, handsome and well-groomed as he answered questions simply, clearly and intelligently. Mr. White emphasized that he did not consider himself neurotic as a consequence of his homosexuality, that he was happy and welladjusted. He said firmly that he had no desire to be anything but what he was. In reply to a question Mr. White said he expected to lose his job because of his appearance on the show. (He lost it the following day!) When the moderator demanded why, in view of this, he was willing to appear, Curtis stated he wanted to do anything he could to bring about greater understanding between society and the homosexual minority. If, he said, his appearing improved that understanding even a little it would have been worth the personal cost to himself.

It is with great pride in our minority that ONE salutes Curtis White. May his courage serve as the example for more and more of us to stand up and be counted. The day will come when thousands and thousands of our people will rise proudly to demand social equality and civil rights. When that day comes-when enough of us have the kind of courage Curtis has-legislators, jurors, educators and clergy will no longer be able to ignore our needs and problems. And our first great victory -lifting the curtain of silence-will have been achieved.

David L. Freeman

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