the roster of professional loaders willing to discuss homosexal problems along the lines of attachine aims and principles is increasing, too. More and more Mattachine projects are being undertaken to provide counseling, therapy, and information about legal and employment matters--not Just for homosexals, but for their families as well. In Denver and San Francisco, for instance, moderated "problem discussion" sessions are held and reports from these indicate that individuals attending DO receive definite therapeutic benefits. In New York, Boston, Washington, Los Angeles, Chicago and other cities, individuals are being introduced to understanding counselors, attorneys and employment agencies upon request for aid in solving their persoral adjustment, employment and legal problems. Yes, and upon more than one occasion, individuals seeking to resolve religious conflicts are sent to sources of understanding professional advice.
OUT OF ALL OF THIS; the need for more extend ve counselling services with a capable full-time staff is evident. This deficiency weighs heavily upon the rational officers of the attachine Society, and upon the area counoils and chapters. To be unable to provide the help so often needed makos those conscientious and part-time volunteer "staffers" feel helpless, indoed, but it so often happens that there is little that can be done. The one important reason for so much work undone in this field is probably ་ 1' known: Funds to provide these vital services are not yot available. In the magazine, the "educational" voice of the mtioral organization, the scope of service is also being broadened as the readership continues to grow. More important articles from professioral persons have appeared within the past year than in any of the REVIEW'S three previous years. Coverage of newsstands in a few key cities has been doubled from bimonthly to 12 times per year. A valuable homophilie bibliography has been undertaken as a continuing monthly feature to inform readers about souroos of information in the literature of the past half-century.
As has been pointed out before, however, fear is still the min stumbling block to the growth of the REVIEW and the Society. This fear is just as needless as over, in most cases, and is perpetuated only by the fear within individuals themsolves. The mot that the REVIEW and two other U.S. homophilic magazines have existed now for several years without ourious prying from outsiders attests to this. Aotions have provided a springboard to dispel these fears, too ONE magazine, you will remember, won a uranimous decision in the U. S. Supreme Court in January which declared the magazino was NOT obscene and unmailable. This far-reaching and significant interpretation of law, actually the first legal ruling permitting the dissemination of information about homosexuality in popular magazine form, guarantees anyone interested the right to read about the subject without question or interference from anyone, particularly postal and other authorities.
WE KNOW THE NEED for advertising the REVIEW in certain rational, publications so that wo my attract more and more serious readers and support. Our Board of Directors recognizes this, and recently discussed the mtter and urged acceleration of an advertising program. However, the Board 38. unable to determine where the funds for it would gone from National ... budget is so "tight" that nothing could give.
This is especially lamentable, because inquiries to certain publications have indicated an increasing acceptance of our advertising copy today, whon the replies were 100% refusals about three years ago. But the money? Yes, you're right--it has to be found to underwrite a promotioral advertising campaign to obtain more subscribers for the REVIEW.
WHERE DO ALL THE FUNDS GO? Well, printing costs, paper and materials have gone up (although the REVIEW still gets its "discounted rate" for printing production). Postage, a heavy item with first-class mailings, goes up some 20-25% right away. Our income has always been in a "shoestring" category, and even that is down this year, bacause a year ago we had a concentrated drive for extended renewals before a subscription rate increase (arch 1957) that has not been matched in 1958. Membership fees to the National headquarters have amounted to only about $1000 in the past five months-no more than adequate to pay office overhead, rent, postage, otc.
The recession, it seems, has hit the economio security of many friends of attachine. Our contributions are dom. At the same time we are learning that in some areas, more staff members of public institutions such as hospitals and mental health clinics are suggesting that persons released from their care (and who have a homosexual problem) my benefit in finding a job, adjusting to "civilian" life, etc., by contact and affiliation with the attachine Sodety. True enough, these referrals now come from a relatively smll number of sources, otherwise the onslaught of candidates seeking our help would multiply far beyond our capacity to aid them. But the number of referrals (especially in Califomia) is growing and providing assistance for them in finding jobs, places to live, etc., is already becoming more than we can cope with our funds preclude a setup with a paid, full-time counsellor. Our volunteer workers carnot turn these deserving people down-wo try to provide maximum tangible help, short of financial aid.
NOW, AS YOU'VE BEEN LED TO EXPECT in these reports and letters from us, wo get to the point: Wo soriously need additional financial help. One dollar-or a thousand-from every REVIEW reader can be put to good use. (Remember that many contributors have in the past claimed income tax deductions from ocntributions to our non-profit organization).
On our side we have tried to show that our project is a worthwhile and necessary public service. No one needs to fear affiliation and interest in it. That's the reason for the feature, "Faces Behind the Names," now running in the REVIEW. There'll be more personalities in this series so that you and all readers will know just who is behind the magazine. All of these people, as well as other officers and members, are dedicated, loyal and unselfish workers in the attachine program, and they are aided by the valued assistance of many other Kattaohine friends, and REVIEW readors.
But it is still true that many of those who profess thanks and appreciation for what kattaphine is doing actually do little gore than that.
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