evaluate homosexuality Until it an do this, society must grope blindly in the dark-continually knocking the periphery and never getting at the core A good example of this and its consequences is the problem the homosexual faces in employment

Business, taking its lead from the federal government to a large extent has denied employment to hu mosexuals This has been found expedient because they are security risks" I would remind you of the hundreds of thousands of homosexuals who served this country and still serve it well. I know no homosexudl who would not lay down his life for the security of all the people in this nation and the ideals on which this nation was built. We, perhaps more than most,' know, the value of security But what is this "risk" Is

it the risk of homosexuals because of their acts? Or is it the risk of blackmailing which some some homosexuals Is it because may be subject to some are more talkative, less ade-

quately adjusted, or more willing to submit to blackmail than all other individuals?

The federal government more and more, has spoken out against un equal rights for groups Yet, here are individuals given the status of a group to be judged and condemed as a group. This nation was founded on individual rights, individual freedoms and individual responsibility. The destiny of the individual was to be protected We have strayed far When every man does not recognize this devaluation of the individualhis cherished heritage to be judged on his own merits. The federal government has afforded sanctuary to those who would make all men the same it has encouraged the black-

ailer and given protection to his practices. I has pronounced a sentence of "guilty until proven innocent" on the homosexual.

Compliance with this has permeated every branch of the government and seeped down into pri-

L'ALLEGRA CORRIDA

MATADORA INESPERTA

Bortolato, Roma.

mattachine REVIEW

vate enterprise, sometimes at the di rection of the government. Today, the homosexual is the victim-the scapegoat. Tomorrow, unless we are vigilant and unless this practice is ended, we may see further inroads into the basic freedom of the individual.

Now we come to perhaps the greatest problem of all-the homo sexual's relationship with himself and his surroundings. We can never ade quately solve the problems which face us with at first facing and seek ing solutions to the problems within us. Pressures from without are often the reaction to pressures within. We must blame ourselves for much of our plight When will the homosexual ever realize that social reform, tc. be effective, must be preceded by personal reform People who are non-homosexual usually get their knowledge of homosexuality by the education given them by homosexuals. And what an education it has been at times.

In his efforts to be recognized, the homosexual has channelled his actions into super-colossal productions to demonstrate and accentuate differences. The result has been an ever widening chasm based on a premise that there is a difference. If we are to publicly act different than accepted standards we must be certain that our differences will be recognized as superior There are some who would say that homosexuals are superior, the chosen of God." But I say, "show me the facts. I am not interested in your egotism. Look beyond your self-interest and emotions. You are different only in that way you think you are different. Stop being afraid of yourself and use fear as an aid to growth and not as a form of escape." Yes, it is time that all of us took an 'agonizing reappraisal of our personal and social relationships. Do we truly contribute to our own welfare and the

welfare of others? There is no place for complacency in the answer None of us are so good that we can't be better

It would seem that all homosexuals would desire to compare their thinking with others on a basis of mutual trust, benefit from this exchange, and make up their own minds a lot of effort to learn to think out fear of judgements by others. But this takes time and patience. It takes a lot of effort to learn to think obiectively-to control that which we have created. It takes a little guts to stand up for what is right and for the common good. It is difficult to live 24 hours a day dedicated to constructive ends in in which all may benefit

I do not mean to infer that what I have said is the official position of the Mattachine Society, I have spo ken only for myself, nor do I wish to give you the impression that I am bitter or have a chip on my shoulder I am not fighting against the situa tion which exists. Rather, I am fighting for all of us to undertake the responsibility of being citizens in a nation which still gives us the right to disagree Uniformity is not demanded of usbut unity of all of our people is required to meet and solve the problems of our environment. There need be no fear, for all of us together are adequate and equal to the problems. I am reminded of Justice Holmes statement: "The nevitable comes to pass through effort." Greater effort is needed on the part of all of us if we are to guarantee that future generations shall live in a

All who join the ranks of this crusade can feel justly proud. We must never falter in the principles on which Mattachine was organized. We must continue to serve, to face the world boldly, unafraid, with faith in the future and say, "This I believe, This I have done."