the mask of concealment and revealing ourselves. The sensible program of unspectacular but persistent action must go on but this is not to say that we should be completely supine; occasions will arise which will have to be dealt with firmly, albeit with diplomacy and tact.

By PHILIP JASON

Mattachine Official Participates on New York Television Program on Homosexual Subject

Mattachine history was made in New York City on March 10 over WABD-TV on the program Showcase when the Society's nat• ional vice chairman and director of public relations participated in a frank and informative discussion of the male homosexual and his problem.

As far as known, this was the first daylight telecast on the East Coast devoted to this subject and the first in which a Mattachine spokesman appeared.

A little over a year ago a series of programs on the subject was presented on the Open Mind over WRCA-TV, New York. In 1954 a Mattachine officer appeared on a program on homosexuality in Los Angeles, the first such television treatment of the subject on the West Coast.

Also participating in the ground-breaking WABD Showcase tele cast were Gerald Sykes, author of "The Children of Light" and an article on "The Dialogue of Freud and Jung" in Harper's for April 1958, and Albert Ellis, Ph.D., psychologist and author of many books and articles, including the forthcoming "Sex Without Guilt" (see Books, this issue).

Even more surprising was the scheduling the very next day on the same program of a discussion of the female homosexual and her problem by a panel including a lady psychiatrist, a graphologist (Miss Helen King, author of the book, "Doodles") and moderated by renowned author Fanny Hurst.

Over the protest of Miss Hurst, who, however, showed understanding in the face of the station's fiat, the discussion on this second program was canceled and the participants were forced to extemporize on another subject.

Miss Hurst opened the discussion with an apology to her audience in which she scored the decision to cancel the discussion

that had been announced and, in her concluding statements, expressed the strong hope that fear of truth and, in her phrase,

mattachine REVIEW

"fear of living" would in time be dispelled. On a strong note of hope that the future would bring enlightenment and human understanding, she closed with an inspiring "hail but not farewell."

At the first program, panelists gave their views on a number of areas affecting the homosexual. Explaining briefly the Mattachine Society's research-educational aims, the Mattachine rep resentative stated that this problem was close to every American whether he knew it or not. He said that research experts indicate that it is possible that every individual numbers at least one homosexual among relatives, friends or close associates.

Panelists appeared in agreement that the readily identifiable homosexual is a minority within the minority and that most homosexuals do nothing to draw public attention to themselves. The opinion was voiced that there is no substance to the belief that there has been a significant increase of homosexuals in this country during and after World War II, but that there has been an increased awareness of homosexuality and that the problem is being discussed more openly.

Despite this frank discussion of the problem in a more under. standing atmosphere, there is still, it was said, no appreciable acceptance of the individual homosexual, and laws, while varying from state to state, are nevertheless severely repressive. Mr. Sykes pointed out that in literature the homosexual was tolerated only as a character depicted as a "king of animal who can be looked down upon and patronized."

Dr. Ellis said that, in his view, 100% cure of the homosexual, that is, a complete transition from homosexuality to heterosexuality, may be possible, but that more often "cure" consists in enabling the patient to function completely in a heterosexual manner while also retaining his homosexual drives.

Despite the apparent setback on the March 11 program, officers and members of Mattachine in New York believe that a major breakthrough in public education on this topic has begun and are grateful to Art Arnold, producer of Showcase, his staff and the participants on both panels for the courage to pioneer in the task of public enlightenment on a too-often beclouded subject.

THE LADDER Monthly magazine of articles, stories, poems, book reviews, quotes, comment and significant opinion on sexual problems facing the Lesbian in society today. Published by DAUGHTERS OF BILITIS, INC. Subscriptions mailed First Class, $2.50 per year. PLEASE NOTE NEW ADDRESS.Suite 405, 165 O'Far rell Street, San Francisco 2, Calif. Telephone YUkon 2-9290 (Eves., Sats. til 5pm.)