voked because of the establishments were alleged to be hangouts for homosexuals, described the workings of state legislatures which sought to whittle away individual rights of citizens through indirect means. For instance, it is not against the law to be homosexually oriented, but it is against the law for a homosexual to be served an alcoholic beverage in California. The state's present law, Lowenthal declared, was unconstitutional, since it reverses a state supreme court decision of 1951 which held that if law-abiding homosexuals could be denied the right to patronize a bar or restaurant, the same denial could be extended to Methodists, Democrats or any other group someone didn't happen to like.
MEMBERSHIP REACHES HIGH MARK
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The vice-chairman of the Mattachine Society reported a total of 248 memberships at the close of 1958. While this total was a long way from the 6 to 9 million members reported from time to time during the past four years (beginning with absurd statements made in Confidential magazine in 1954), it nevertheless represented the largest paid membership of the Society during its first decade of existence. San Francisco led the Areas, followed by New York, Los Angeles, Denver, Washington, Boston and Detroit in that order. A growing subscribing membership total had reached 66.
Compared to a year ago, the story was an exciting gain. At the close of 1957, total membership was 133, of which only 15 were subscribing members.
But viewed in the light of the Society's minimum budget for 1959, the figure was far short of the goal set for this new year. A minimum $10,000 budget has been set for the year, which means income must be increased 33% over 1957 and 1958 totals. This new amount must come from three sources: dues from new, members, additional magazine subscriptions, and voluntary contributions and pledges. The demand and appeals for legal, social and counselling services are already beyond the Society's ability to furnish them. Calls for assistance and cooperation from public and professional agencies are accelerating. Workload on the small volunteer staff is now almost overwhelming. So you know who we are counting on to give more substance to Mattachine as a worthwhile educational, research and social service project during the coming New Year.
To a similar degree, the same problems faced by the national office are of equal concern in the localities where branch offices are operated across the U. S. These dedicated groups are realistically striving to give meaning to our aims. They expect no miracles, but they do demattachine REVIEW
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serve the fullest support of interested adults in these communities. Don't disappoint them.
INDEX SUPPLEMENT AVAILABLE
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A 24-page booklet containing the complete index of Volume IV for for 1958 is now available. Previously this index has been included in the January issue. This time, however, it is available free to subscribers who request it and send 8¢ in stamps for it, preferably affixed to a 6x9 (business size) addressed envelope.
The 1958 volume, complete with index, will be ready for ship-~ ment on February 1. At the time of binding, a limited number of volumes for 1955, 1956 and 1956 will also be bound. Price is $7 each, postpaid, and with a 4% sales tax required from California residents. We suggest that orders be sent now to be assured of early delivery, LIBRARY GETS A PRESENT OF 225 VOLUMES
There are now more than 800 volumes in the Mattachine Library at San Francisco following the gift of some 225 volumes in December from a California resident, The additions represent mostly reference and non-fiction works, with a number of books in which the sex variation aspects is minor or incidental. The gift required extra shelves to accomodate it, and the donor, bless him, rose to that occasion also by prefabricating the lumber required and delivering it for installation. Cataloging is in process by the librarian. This outstanding gift is acknowledged with sincere thanks of the Board of Directors.
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READERS write
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REVIEW EDITOR: This is a plea for acceptance of the homosexual in Canadian society...sa that we can openly march under our own colors in every social sphere, among our “work”mates, in our unions and in the neighborhoods where. we make our homes. If it is really the free society that socially conscious persons desire and say it is, then immediately efforts should be made to untangle the snarl of social tensions that result from the officially inspired distaste, nay Tooth ing, of the homosexual in Canada. -Mr. V. S., British Columbia.
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EDITOR'S NOTE: Toward the end of Spreading our educational efforts in Can-
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ada, the Mattachine Society has already enlisted memberships from several interested persons in your province. We hope to announce a unit of the organization in Vancouver soon.
REVIEW EDITOR: After listening to last night's broadcast discussion aver KPFA (November 24th), I am interested in finding out something more about the Mattachine Society and its work, and method of carrying on that work, as well as your magazine. Certainly any part you may have had in bringing about the programming of yesterday's radio production deserves compliments for the contribution thus made toward wider public education. Mr. J.S., Calif. 19
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