The Council on Religion and the Homosexual

A BRIEF OF INJUSTICES

This "Brief of Injustices" is a cooperative achievement by various organizations and individuals in San Francisco, including the Society for Individual Rights, Daughters of Bilitis, Mattachine Society, clergymen from the Glide Urban Center and others. The design and production are by Pan-Graphic Press, several thousand copies of the booklet having been distributed by the interested organizations and through the Council on Religion and the Homosexual itself. It is reprinted here so that the readers of ONE Magazine may see the text for themselves, permission for its use having been granted by The Council on Religion and the Homosexual, of San Francisco.

Police harassment and denials of civil rights in San Francisco to persons presumed to be homosexual have raised issues of concern to all citizens. To bring this situation to the attention of the public, the Board of Trustees of The Council on Religion and the Homosexual, Inc., has prepared this Brief of Injustices.

As a result of their involvement with the Council, many clergymen became aware of injustices which, until now, have been largely ignored by society. The clergy members of the Council's Board made their own investigation, and upon hearing their conclusions the Board of Trustees concurred. Consequently, this Brief is presented as the concensus of the Board.

To place this Brief in proper perspective, we list the purposes of The Council on Religion and the Homosexual, which has as its objective the promotion of a "continuing dialogue between the religious community and homosexuals."

1. To orient members of religious communities (both lay persons and clergy) on aspects of homosexuality (ie., physical, economic, legal, emotional, etc.) in accordance with homosexual testimony and available scientific data.

6

2. To encourage members of the religious communities to provide opportunities for homosexuals of both sexes to present their views of homosexuality to various religious organizations.

3. To open up channels of communication so that members of the religious communities may engage in dialogue with homosexuals in order to bring about new and deeper understandings of sexuality, morality, ethical behavior, and the life of religious faith.

4. To study systematically the deeper dynamics of authentic human relationships from Biblical, theological and social science perspectives. 5. To engage in research which will further understanding of homosexuality within the larger framework of the present sexual revolution. 6. To enlist the aid of religious publications and other media in working toward a broadened editorial policy including more accurate and objective articles on homosexuality. 7. To provide an an effective voice throughout the nation in matters of laws, policies and penal reforms governing adult sexual behavior. 8. To help professional people (clergymen, social workers, etc.) work-