HIGHLIGHTS

OF THE PAST YEAR

In general, the Los Angeles Area Council has found 1957 a year of heartening progress. Hembership rose Dues of $1 a month to 22, twice last year's total. from active members swelled our limping bank balance until we now have almost $150.00. Donation of rentfree office space by a member considerably lightened our burden of expense. Attendance at most society functions topped previous years. Highlights of the year were a bang-up Christmas Party, the brunch at the time of the One Institute, a talk by an authority on Walt Whitman, an evening of handwriting analysis... hoppingest meeting of all was the dinner at which Dr. Hooker spoke.

If controversy is a sign of active interest, the LAAC evidenced a burgeoning spirit, for there was One of no lack of disagreement on several issues. them was the area's newsletter which in reaching new highs in quantity and quality--as well as a couple of new lows--called forth considerable argument. A second issue concerned Hattachine policy and its aims. An interest so active as to arouse spirited discussion, sometimes even to the point of striking sparks from clashing tempers, indicates a continued high level of concern with Mattachine affairs. special meeting was oonvened to answer charges of apathy among members and dry rot weakening the very fiber of the Society. An exciting exchange of reminiscences and opinions between Foundation mem¬ bers and the newest recruits convinced most of us, on that memorable afternoon, that the stagnation was more imagined than real.

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In this connection it should be noted that the early days of the Society spawned mary grandiose and extravagant schemes. As someone remarked, "Then crazy characters was wadin' in way over their flattops." In the light of present rock-hard

achievements, the persistent rumor about a proposed Cadillac ambulance with attachine Society lettered in gold seems a trifle absurd. Flights of fancy, altho as impressive as soaring rockets, are similarly short-lived. The achievements of a maturing Society may dazzle less than the brilliant proposals of other periods but nevertheless we are treading a way destined, I think, to bring lasting credit to the Society and tangible results for the homophile.

Being SOCIETY-HISTORY Collected

Los Angeles took upon itself a project which seems to be routine at first glance: A "History of the Hattachine Movement." This we hope to make as complete as humanly possible. But there will be some errors no doubt, and the aid and cooperation of all is asked in correcting or eliminating these errors. Altho we have been working on this project only for the past four months, already we have run into problems. Missing material seems to be the paramount nuisance at present. Elsewhere in this Newsletter is a request for missing Newsletters. If you have these and dont really need them please send to: History, Los Angeles Area Council, Box 1925, L. A. 53, Calif. If the various Area Councils have these on hand in extra copies, we would appreciate if if they would forward a copy of each.

To help you anticipate what will be coming up in the work ahead, if you were a member of the Board of Directors, Area Council Officer, or Chairman of a chapter, you might give some thought to making notes on your own interpretation of the history of the Movement. One of the sections of the "History" will be a section of subjective views of the Movement. These are to be written by the persons who helped shape the past. There will be no editing or changes whatsoever in this section. There are always two

MATIACHINE phone number NO 3-2616

in Los Angeles is: