OPENING ADDRESS, FOURTH ANNUAL CONVENTION

four F's are key to progress

By D. Stewart Lucas

The title above has no rela. tion whatever to an armed forces classification for persons considered unfit for military ser vice. Instead, the four F's mentioned by President Lucas in the opening address of the 4th Annual Convention of the Mattachine Society, held at the Sheraton-Palace hotel. San Francisco, on August 31. embrace the key to growth and progress for the Faith. organization. They are Friendship. Fellowship and Funds. Near the end of the article they are discussed in detail. With this issue, the Mattachine Review begins its report of that convention. Future is-

On behalf of the Board of Directors of the Mattachine Society, Inc., and the San Francisco Area Council, I wish to welcome all of you to our fourth annual convention.

Every time that I get up to speak to a group I am bothered by the reminder of the time a gentleman was called upon to speak before a large and somewhat unruly audience. After several interruptions from the audience the speaker raised his voice and said, “We seem to have a great many fools here tonight. Wouldn't it be advisable to hear them one at a time?" Whereupon a man shouted from the audi-

sues will carry prepared talks presented to the delegates, members and friends who attended. At an afternoon symposium on the topic. "Must the Individual Homosexual Be Rejected in Our Time?" five speakers addressed the assemblage. Two of these papers are published in this is me: others will follow at a later date.

Mr. Lucas was President and acting Chairman of the Board of Directors last year. Two days after he delivered the address published here, he completed his term in those offices, and was elected Executive Secretary of the Society for the current year.

ence, "Yes. Get on with your speech."

We know that there are no fools here today except for Les Mattachines--but don't become disturbed. All that I want to do is begin with a brief history of the Mattachine movement from its inception early in 1950 to the present date.

This story, however, has its inception with Les Mattachines, for that is where the name originated. Les Mattachines were a dedicated medieval society of fools who enacted the struggles of all the common people of their time against their oppressors, the lords and clerics. From

mattachine REVIEW

Les Mattachines, therefore, came Mattachine.

once

Early in 1950 a group of individuals met together in a private home in Los Angeles to discuss a topic which, even in the privacy of their home, seemed forbidden. That topic was homosexuality Before that evening was over, they realized that here was a subject that was very close to them, a subject which they wished to discuss at greater length, to learn more about all its aspects. They decided to meet every two weeks. From that beginning grew the Mattachine Foundation. The Founda tion was in existence from November 1950 to April 1953. During its existence the Mattachine Foundation had many hundreds of people attend its discussion groups. It drew up a set of aims and purposes and a pledge which remain in part today in the Mattachine Society. The Foundation issued numerous brochures, bulletins and letters which were sent to city, state and federal officials in an attempt to influence them favorably. Late in 1952, however, there was much unrest among the members of this Foundation. No one knew who its leaders were, no one knew where all the directives came from. A majority of those who were truly interested in carrying on this work wanted to do so in a democratic fashion.

A constitutional convention was called on May 24, 1953. It was the unanimous opinion of those present that a democratic organization be formed. A constitution and by-laws were drawn up and adopted. It was agreed that this organization

would be known as the Mattachine Society. The old Mattachine Foundation concurred and agreed to disband, handing over its name, all its files and data to the new democratic Society. The final organizational meeting was held on November 15, 1953, so that it became in reality the first convention of the Mattachine

Society.

A prominent Southern California psychiatrist spoke at the banquet held during that convention. The most memorable comment he made was that in which he drew an analogy between the Mattachine Society and a newborn baby. The baby must grow up properly if it is to be a strong and healthy adult. It must learn to crawl before it can walk. It will fall many times but each time it picks itself up, it will be on stronger and surer feet. I often think of the truth of that analogy and wonder how far the Society has grown up in the past four years. Has it learned to stand on its own two feet? Has it learned from its many tumbles and experiences? In many ways it seems that it has, but in many others, there is still a bit of doubt.

But to get on with my story. On March 23, 1954, the Mattachine Society was granted its corporation papers by the state of California. Now it could really get down to business.

The first annual convention of the Mattachine Society, Inc., was held in San Francisco on May 15-16, 1954. Progress was being made.

From the Publication Chairman's report: "Most notably, the 7