EDITORIAL

Very recently a handsome book, published by Stein and Day, New York, arrived in ONE's offices. The book is pleasingly bound, printed on high-quality paper and the type is beautifully set; anyone interested in printing as an art would be pleased to have this book in his collection. To judge from its appearance one might expect the book to be a first edition of some bit of exotica or erotica, or a reprint of some old and treasured classic. And yet, although it has already become something of a classic in its own way, it is neither of these. Someday it may be more important than either. It is The Wolfenden Report.

The book was sent to ONE for review. But the "Report" itself needs no further review-it was so widely commented upon, and in such detail, when it first appeared, not only by ONE but by almost every other responsible and responsive literary or social agency, that to analyze or summarize its contents here would be tautology to an extreme.

We, as did other interested and affected persons, read the report when it first appeared with amazement, admiration, and deep respect. Now, several years later, as we thumb through the pages of the new book, we are, if possible, even more impressed. Never has there been a more comprehensive, a more exhaustive, a more deliberately thorough, nor more emotionally detached examination of homosexuality and society, in general, and homosexuality and the law, in particular, than is contained in this report. Its findings are so nearly accurate, its conclusions so logical, its recommendations so eminently fair and just that it seems inconceivable that it could fail of adoption by all thinking peoples. And yet, in England where it was sponsored and written, it remains just a report. Politicians remain politicians and all but the most courageous fear that to think fairly and without prejudice is to condone, advocate, or, worse, to appear to be not without personal interest.

In some ways, perhaps, the "Report" has not been without harmful effects, for we are reminded almost daily here at ONE, that many of our friends have failed to distinguish between fact and wish. It is appalling how many believe that the report is now British law, or perhaps even, general law. Alas, the "Report" was not adopted by the British law givers. Some day it may be, but that day has not arrived.

It is, indeed, ironic that the intent of the "Report" in essential matters, should have been adopted only in an area long and traditionally considered to be the very heart of United States conservatism, our state of Illinois.

This leads us once again to denounce the belief, so cherished by many of our adherents, that Europe is the land of social and sexual liberty. With every passing year it becomes more evident it is the United States which will take the lead, belated though it may be, in this area of man's life as it has already done in so many others.

We congratulate the publishers of this new book. It is incredible that anyone in this day should attempt to speak or write on the subject of homosexuality and the law without having read the "Report."

MARCEL MARTIN,

Associate Editor

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