READERS write

REVIEW EDITOR: I have long known that the two most prevalent venereal diseases were spread by sexual contact between men and women, but only recently did I learn that these two diseases are just as readily spread by sexual contact between members of the same sex. I contacted syphilis. Since then I have learned that this disease may be contracted from any mucous membrane or from any warm, moist agent or location in which the syphilis spirochete is present. Thus oral contact, kissing, or drying with an infected warm, moist towel used by someone infected can spread the disease. Air kills it; warm moisture does not. It is easy to see how syphilis can be spread in ways other than sexual contact, although any type of such contact spreads it most easily.

I wonder how many others-particularly practicing homosexuals know this, and how very great the chances are that they may contact venereal diseases in most American cities through indiscriminate contacts?

This letter is not a sermon against-or for-any particular form of sexual behavior in private between consenting adults. Instead, this letter attempts to suggest a practical approach to a growing social and medical problem: Statistics from authorities like Dr. Kinsey unmistakably show that many persons of the same sex do engage in sexual relations with each other. Laws to the contrary and attempts to enfore them have failed to stem these contacts.

Isn't it about time we took the wraps off the disease angle and started an educational program to control venereal infection among homosexuals? Further, would it not be a good thing for the medical profession to require that all doctors habitually make a Wasserman test of every blood sample they receive, whether the sample were taken for a Wasserman or not? I think that much of the spread of syphilis would be halted in this way. I would like to hear professional persons speak out on this subject. As I said above, I contacted syphilis and also happened to have a blood sample taken by a doctor before syphilis was discovered. Had a Wasserman test been made then, I would have discovered that I had the disease before it reached the advanced stage.-Mr. D.G., California

REVIEW EDITOR: Regardng articles by Marc Daniel (translated from Arcadie in October International issues of the Review), my friends and I have found them to be of extreme interest and look forward to seeing more of them.-Mr. A.R., Calif.

Subscribing Membership

(Non-Voting)

SUBSCRIBING MEMBERSHIP (Non-Voting) was created at the recent 4th Annual Convention of the Mattachine Society in response to many requests from persons living at a distance from established chapters, and from persons living near established chapters who prefer not to participate actively. Princpal purpose of Subscribing Membership is to permit a greater number of persons over the nation to support Mattachine projects with annual donations of funds which are sorely needed to continue the work of the organization. At the same time this status provides evidence of this vital support.

SUBSCRIBING MEMBERSHIP (Non-Voting) is available to anyone over 21 years of age. Participation in activities of organized chapters is not required. Fee is $10 per year (12 months from date received). Special offer to current subscribers of the Review: $6 pays for subscribing membership status for remair. der of subscription, up to 12 months from date received. Subscribing Members also receive four issues of INTERIM, national news quarterly of the Mattachine Society, Inc. (Subscribing Members may attend meetings of the Society and its chapters, subject to local regulations, but may not vote. Payment of additional local area council dues is optional) Joining the Society as a Subscribing Member is simple: Write to the Board of Directors and enclose appropriate fee. Additional details and subscribing membership card will be mailed to you.

Mattachine Society, Inc.

Office of the Board of Directors

693 Mission Street

San Francisco 5, Calif.