Another area of effect on the individual who rejects can be found around the concept of conformity. Conformity and the rejection of differences in some areas leads to their suppression in many areas. And this suppression with its resulting monotonous greyness leads to impoverishment of the individual himself. Gradually he himself becomes a stereotype lacking the flavor, the originality, the variety that society so desperately needs to continue to grow and create Much of therapy is devoted to helping individuals to develop their own unique and many-sided personalities. When society teaches them that differences are evil, it is no wonder that they find it diff:cult to cherish the differences within themselves.

Perhaps so obvious that it barely needs mentioning is the bruta!izing effect of prejudice, scorn and hate. At a period in history when sensitive, concerned and flexible individuals are particularly needed for the family and for the community, we cannot afford to brutal.c And the act of rejecting another human being not for what he has done but for what he is, has a cancerous effect on the rejector

The effects of society's rejection of the homosexual on society it self mentioned here are only a small part of the total effect But even if there were no others, it is obvious that it is a too expen sive luxury We cannot afford it in our time. And the responsibility lies not alone with the homosexual himself and his organizations Certainly, he needs to be and is vitally concerned and must act on that concern. But every other person has a responsibility too. perhaps an even greater responsibility devolving on the person who . not himself a member of this minority. Of course. in a sense every person is a member of some minority or other-the list is long. Bu' society as a whole must act on the problem of rejection. And it must have facts and not myths to act on. We must stop relegating the subject to the police blotter or to smutty magazines and start encouraging social scientists to study and examine We must stop subjecting the interested student to the raised eyebrow of suspicion! about that interest, and we must make rejection move into the museum of ancient and primitive horrors.

CHANGES OF ADDRESS

Notice of change of address should be sent not less than two weeks prior to the date change becomes effective. Send the address at which copies are now being received and the new address of which you wish to receive copies.

1

?

By GREGORY TROUT

BRITISH PRESS REACTION

to the Wolfenden Report

Although there have been innumerable headlines to the effect that the "Wolfenden Report Stirs Controversy in Britain," there is little. evidence that anyone's basic attitudes have changed. There is little doubt, however, but that the expression of opinion has increased enormously. Nevertheless, by the time this article is being prepared -two months after the release of the Report-this outcry has been stilled to little more than a dull murmur. Since we have been dependent on the good offices of Mattachine Review's friends abroad for the receipt of pertinent clippings, however, it may be that their eyes are not as sharp at spotting news items as they were in Septemberit would be natural to expect that, once the initial excite ment had passed, everyone's interest would wane, readers' as wel as publishers'. But it is not difficult to return to the excitement and turmoil of mid-September One merely has to steep oneself again. in the sea of clippings that has accumulated.

Lord Beaverbrook's "Daily Express" raises its collective hands ir horror-at the thought that the law might be eased as regards homosexuality and predicts that the present Conservative government will not seek to translate the recommendations into law, lest the resultant revolt among its members threaten to topple the government.

At the other extreme, the "Daily

At the other extreme, the "Daily Herald" (whose editorial policy is for strict support of the Trade Union and Labor Movements, fron: whose adherents most of its readers are drawn) hails the recommendations as long overdue and, with the intellectual liberalism that has always been a strong and clear thread throughout the long history of the British labor movement, particularly stresses its viewpoint that "private habits, however disgusting to the moralist, should not bring individuals within the criminal law."

In so far as these periodicals reflect political viewpoints, they lend credence to the supposition, reported to us by a number of private correspondents in the United Kingdom, that Parliament is not likely

29

28

mattachine REVIEW