The following article was delivered as the opening address at the recent 3rd Annual Convention of the Mattachine Society by Ken Burns, Chairman, Board of Directors.

the homosexual faces a

By Ken Burns CHALLENGE

It has been my pleasure to serve the Mattachine Society as Chairman of the Board since its inception. I might say, that in many respects these three years have been the happiest thirty years of my life. As one of the leaders in the establishment of, a democratic organization without the stigma of suspicion that surrounded the Foundation, but one sensible in its approach and rational in its actions, I was elected Chairman of the organizing conventions. which produced the Society. In a few short years, I have seen Mattqchine assume its responsible and rightful place in the life of the com-.. munity. The Society is today respected for its objective approach to homosexuality and the passing of each day brings recognition from persons and organizations actively engaged in the solution of this social problem. As I step down from my duties, I look back with pride. to that small part I have had in the construction of a firm foundation for the Mattachine Society.

However, it is only the attribute of the aged to dwell in memories and of the stagnant to be self-satisfied. The future lies before us and we are prepared to meet its challange with eagerness-eagerness for 18

the justice and right of all individuals to live without fear, but with respect for themselves and their fellow man as creatures of the same God. True, the future looks brighter than it has on past occasions, but the work to be done-the barriers yet to be óvercome arouses us from any complacency. Let us look for a few moments at some of the problems which face the homosexual and cause him to be set apart or feel that he is set apart, from society and his family. In reviewing these problems it is not my desire to emphasize differences in principle, but rather to emphasize differences of ap-. proach which I feel have done much to continue this segregation of man. And, let me add, these problems are not subject to the homosexual alone. They are, as well, the problems of society-every individual in it-for each of us is interdependent on the other in this complex civilization in which we live. Our social order is based on the principle that each of us shall be our brother's keeper. It is tragic that this has not been universally accepted and practiced not, only by Mr. Average Citizen, but by those in authority as well.

But to get back to the problems which the Mattachine Society must

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meet. One which has seemed to me

at times to be definitely over-rated because of the unusual amount of emphasis placed on it is the problem of the law. I sometimes wonder if some homosexuals don't desire a carte blanche to carry on their activities "anywhere, anytime, anybody." This is regarded as a right.

To those individuals I would say, "Come down from your marble pillar and begin to live. This Utopia is neither constructive nor productive." We do not enact laws just to have laws-there is a reason-good or bad -behind each law. Laws are made for the protection of man, and, when these lawe are broken, the consequences must be expected and accepted. This is not to say, however, that we must agree with the suitableity of the law. We must test it on the basis of whether the law accomplishes the purpose for which it became statule. Has it impelled those for whom it was intended to act differently? Does it serve the principles of society and our social order?

In the case of the homosexual, it would seem that law has had little or no effect on his activities. Yet, to prove that all law accomplishes that for which it was designed-and incidentally, to prove that all human problems can be solved by law-it is the custom for some enforcement agencies to hide behind their authority using techniques of harrassment, blackmail, and entrapment and to assume the role of judge and jury in the interpretation and application of law. Some are no better than male prostitutes themselves in their role of agent provocateurs. Society seems to have taken theory, or the explanation of some phenomenon which exists in someone's mind and which has not yet been demonstrated by scientific measurement, made it into law which is a summary of the truth supported by facts

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which no one can dispute, and expressed in terms of a sound working principle which can safely be used as a guide. The basic theory seems not to prevent trouble but to punish it. Is it a case of reforming or getting even? Yes, it would seem that the law, dealing with homosexual practices has had much more effect on the activities of some law enforcement officers and those in the legal field.

The Report of the American Law institute has pointed the way toward legal reform, and we concur in its decisions. Those who are not yet mature enough to adequately decide for themselves and those who are compelled by force to submit must be protected, as must public decency. This is as it should and must be in an orderly society. What consenting adults do in private, however, is their own business as long as they don't injure themselves or others. Maybe you don't agree with what they do; maybe they don't agree with what you do. If that is so, then it is a matter of education, not law. These are principles fundamental to our democracy.

The Mattachine Society is prepared to sit down with legislators, law enforcement officers, judges and others in the legal field to work out an objective program to meet the legal problems affecting homosexuality and to constructively administer to the causes and not the symptoms of the problem. We do not say that our judgement is sound and the judgement of others unwise. We do say, however, that "if you want to build a bridge, go to an engineer"; if you have a problem with homosexuals go to an organization that can help you. This offer is also open to others intersted in the homosexual. Let us look for a moment at the religious or spiritual problem of the homosexual. In my opinion this is a 19