READERS write

REVIEW EDITOR: In considering the possible formation of a chapter in my city, this question arises: What is the difference between an area council and a chapter?-W.C.,M.D., Penn,

EDITOR'S NOTE: Prior to September 1958, Mattachine organizational structure included chapters and area councils under the Board of Directors. It was customary for initial groups to be formed in various cities to be set up as chapters first, then an area council followed whenever two or more chapters were formed in that locality. However, this system appeared top-heavy and at the 1958 convention in New York, the Society voted to abolish the chapter requirement, and instead form an area council in any distinct locality such as a metropolitan area, as soon as five members joined as a group for that purpose. Chapters, therefore, can be established and maintained, but this is no longer a requirement-the Area. Council has been designated as the basic unit henceforth.

REVIEW EDITOR: I was recently introduced to your REVIEW very good reading! Mrs. O.G.S., California

REVIEW EDITOR: During the past two months, I have introduced Mattachine to several people. One minister, the former executive secretary of an Ohio city church federation, said, 'Truth is so big and vast one cannot claim to know it all...I know very little about the problem, but I am willing to learn. How soon and where do you plan to have an organizational meeting?' Another minister did not reply to my letter. A third was very evasive. Unfortu nately, although I had requested that my letter and plans for a possible Area Council be held in confidence, this minister presented the matter to his church board. No public report resulted, but one member (of the church board) reacted by stating that if there were any homosexuals in the Church School, they (the church) would get rid of them very quickly....Other Indi'viduals were open-minded, eager to

learn and sympathetic...I believe there is an opportunity in Ohio which should not be neglected. Please do not think I am over-zealous. After 17 years as a minister and as a missionary in China, I know that progress must be made slowly and wisely. On the other hand, nothing is achieved without a beginning.-Mr. J.W.D., Ohio

EDITOR'S NOTE: The above writer, living in west-central Ohio, not far from Columbus and Cincinnati, would like to lead in formation of an Area Council in that region. Will REVIEW readers in that area interested in this. project please communicate with the Mattachine Society so that they may be informed of plans for an organizational meeting?

REVIEW EDITOR: With a firm bellef In one's principles it is still impossible to profess those beliefs publicly because of retributions to one's family, friends and business associates. The result is too many of us are left bereft of kindred spirits with whom we could discuss mutual problems. Presumably this is resolved for those within easy access to a Mattachine group, but what of those who aren't? One cannot recog. nize a kindred spirit merely by looking at him, and it isn't polite to stare. Cannot a small, discreet pin be designed for lapel wear by members and subscribers to the REVIEW and local newsletters?-Mr. E.C., New Jersey

EDITOR'S NOTE: Such a pin has been designed, but only for members of the Society, It sells for $1.50 from the National office. Active, subscribing, honorary and advisor members are all entitled to wear it. However, the intro duction of this lapel pin is in no way intended to serve as any attempt to identify 'kindred spirits'-or, as we presume you mean, other homosexuals. We understand your feelings-and the feelings of others-about this, but the Mattachine does not consider it permissible to issue any such Identifying insignia. Being a homosexual is no criterion for Mattgchine membership,

mattachine REVIEW

and known non-homosexuals do belong. The pin, therefore, serves only those of the membership who care to purchase it, and as such it identifies Mattachine, and not a homosexual, per

se.

REVIEW EDITOR: In 'Calling Shots,' February REVIEW, you mentioned that Miss Helen King was to participate in a discussion of the relationship between homosexuality and handwriting. I think it would be highly interesting to read an article on this subject in the REVIEW by Miss King. Is it possible? Mr. C.M.,CALIF.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Miss King, a past president of the American Graphological Society, spoke to a joint meeting of the Mattachine Society and Daughters of Bilitis in New York. We have requested that this talk be made available as an article for an early edition of the REVIEW.

REVIEW EDITOR: Your maga. zine has been coming out with wonderfully good articles that we like, like, and and some wonderful stories, especially in the February issue-It was just great. Keep up the good work and may. be someday we can look up to other people, if you know what I mean, and have no fear nor shame...then we can give all our hearts have to give.-Mr. A. Illinois

REVIEW EDITOR: I was fortunate enough to be in the Bay Area when KPFA did the fine broadcast on 'The Homosexual In Our Society.' I should like to subscribe to the REVIEW-

please bill me.-Mr. J.D.H., California

EDITOR'S NOTE: The trans-

cript of the above 2-hour program has been issued in permanent paperback form by PanGraphic Press, and sells for $1.00 a copy.

REVIEW EDITOR: The KPFA-FM booklet, "The Homosexual in Our Society," which came to my attention last week, made reference to your organization. I am a student at a University, and have long had both an academic and a personal interest in the status of the homosexual minority group in the U.S. Please send more information! Mr. J.A., Illinois

REVIEW EDITOR: I have read your magazine with deep appreciation and I am writing now to become a member of the Mattachine Society. I can hardly believe that such an organization exists that is actually interested primarily in helping people who have a socio-sexual problem, in particular homosexuals like myself. I am just 21 and I hope you will accept me as a member because I have, for several years, been sincerely concerned with the social problems of homosexuality as applied to others and myself. I have been constantly looking for literature on the subject. but until I came across your publication on a newsstand in New York City, I had only been able to acquire pocket novels and a few psychology books on the subject. I have given much deep thought to the problem and am anxious to let others, like myself, know that I am on their side all the way. However, I hesitate to function as an active member due to many conflicts still within myself between my strong homosexual desire which I have no wish to change, and the pressure of society on me to be "normal." As I am still in college, I find it necessary to wear a mask continually to protect myself from detection and, if it were known, perhaps expulsion from college. I am

Many readers have, told me that 'THEY WALK IN SHADOW! (see back cover) should be read by all persons who favor abolishing or modifying our old sex laws and attitudes. For this I am grateful because this is one of the main purposes of the book. Toward this cause, I am asking the help of all Mattachine REVIEW readers and their friends to phone all their local bookstores asking if they stock this book, and if not, to please do so (so that the book will be widely available to the public who have the power to change these laws.) Bookstores may order five or more copies on a fully returnable basis from Comet Press Books, 200 Varick St., New York 14, N.Y. Thank you, J. D. Mercer, Author