OFFICE OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Mattachine Society, Inc.

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2000

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POST OFFICE BOX 1925

MAIN POST OFFICE

LOS ANGELES 53, CAUFORNIA

HOMOSEXUALITY IN BOISE...

LET'S GET AT THE CAUSES!

A recent homosexual scandal rocked Boise, Idaho, when it was disclosed that several adult males had committed illegal acts with young men and youths, a number of whom were under 21 years of age. Indictments followed swiftly after the disclosure, and at the ensuing trials, jail and prison sentences were meted out--an answer, perhaps, for an enraged public, but unfortunately no cure for the men involved.

Dr. John L. Butler, of the Idaho Department of Mental Health, was quoted in TIME magazine concerning the trials. The following letter was written to him by the chairman of the Nattachine Society. We believe it speaks for itself: Idaho and the U. S. need to direct their attention to the cause rather than the symptoms. The letter is quoted here in full:

Dear Dr. Butler: I have recently read the articles in TIME i magazine regarding the "shocking homosexual scandal" in Boise. You were quoted as having opposed the prison terms imposed by the Court and suggesting that homosexuals might be allowed to "form their own society and be left alone."

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' certainly agree with you that punishment of the individua. involved is going to solve neither their problem nor the hem of the community. However, I protest the attitude to homosexuals be permitted to separate themselves from the community and form a society of their own. Homosexuals do not desire this, nor will they benefit from it. Society may believe that a problem--its problem--is solved by the sight, out of mind" method. As a doctor, I'm sure you agree however, that such action is merely fighting the "symptoms and not the "illness." It is time that all of us--homosexual and heterosexual-face up to this problem and treat the causes.

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A much sounder and more beneficial approach, it seems, would be to set up an unbiased commission of persons from the medical, religious, legal, and educational and other professional fields which have an interest in this subject. I realize that at the present time, when the community is in such an emotional state, it is is probably impossible to find professional people who would look at the problem objectively and be willing to publicly do so. It might be even better to go outside of the state to find such persons, but until such a commission with community support can be organized to make recommendations for the welfare of all, all will suffer.

In criticizing you, I am also criticizing Judge Young for his attitude. Who can deny that each one of us has an obli-

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(Continued on page 30) mattachine REVIEW

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INTERNAT

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REPORT

A report on homosexuality in Great Britain, issued in December by the British Medical Association, caused a great stir in the United Kingdom. The following report is taken from the LONDON DAILY EXPRESS:

GRAVE CHARGES

A CHARGE that some members of Parliament are practising homosexuals" is made in a report* issued by the British Medical Association.

The report contains the conclusions of a panel of 12 eminent doctors, psychiatrists, and criminologists set up to give the Government the B.M.A.'s views on homosexuality and prostitution.

Cases of homosexual and unnatural offences known to the police have increased threefold since 1940 to more than 6,000 a year. But this figure represents only fraction of the real total, the report states.

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The number of male perverts in Britain may be as high as half a million-two or three per cent of all men-the experts suggest.

"If undetected acts are increas ing in the same proportion as the detected ones the position is most disquieting." they state.

"The behaviour and appear ance of homosexuals congregat ing blatantly in public houses. streets, and restaurants are an outrage to public public decency.

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"Effeminate men wearing makeup and using scent are objection-

able to everyone.

"The existence of practising homosexuals in the Church, Par llament. Civil Service, Forces. Press, radio. stage, and other institutions constitutes a special problem."

The doctors stress the danger that perverts in positions of authority may give preferential treatment to other homosexuals and may be open to blackmail.

In fairness the doctors point out that many homosexuals do nothing reprehensible because they control their desires.

Nevertheless medical opinion is strongly opposed to.any relaxation of the view that homosexuality is loathsome. Emphasis is put on the dangers of the corruption pf young boys.

"The real safeguard against activity is public homosexual opinion, and measures to promote a healthy attitude towards sex should be promoted by all possible means." they advise.

The report urges much more careful selection of school-

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