right out and let family and friends know just what we are, not to continue to live lives of hypocrisy and deceit, to tell the truth no matter how it may hurt those nearest us and to take the chance of severing ourselves completely from family and friends.

There is much to say in favor of the above advice, particularly in confronting boldly our worst fears and discovering, once for all, the exact ground upon which we stand in relation to our closest allies. Yet, is this the wisest and best thing to do? We should consider other approaches before gambling on losing the respect of loved ones (which goodness knows, we need very much). We are lonely enough in a society still hostile toward the deviated individual and minority groups. We need to cherish the respect and love of intimates as long as possible, until we are so sure of our position that we can risk losing that respect and love. It is not always wise to defy custom or the feelings of those nearus merely to satisfy our ego or to establish our true identity with sudden fanfare. Much of what the above three authors referred to is true, but we might arrive at the same goal by a more devious route than that suggested by them.

who have declared themselves such. We can refer to plays or movies in which the homosexual theme is touched upon or to books in which homosexual or Lesbian love are handled discriminately (and sometimes quite patently). We can tell about the well-known figures of history known or alluded to as homosexual, the cultures which recognize homosexuals as a minority group and which extend them the respect they deserve. We can list the important contributions made by homosexuals down through the ages. We can speak of the civilizations which have given the homosexual the assurance that he can devote his interests and energies to creative, original work without having to spend his life in a segregated fashion, fabricating apologies for his existence; the societies which have made it possible for homosexuals to avail themselves of the companionship and respect of loved ones without having to lead a double life. And last, but not least, the tremendous good that can be achieved in the future by releasing homosexuals from the awesome stigma imposed upon them by our present laws and attitudes, which are guilty of creating untold-of neurotics and resultant mental breakdowns.

To wage such a campaign the homophile needs to know a great deal about himself. This knowledge he can gain by reading certain books*, becoming acquainted with individuals who have

It might be wiser to outline an operation for assault upon the fortress of ignorance, a campaign in which we wage war without exposing our vulnerabilities to openly to the barbs of the adversary. We might do this by pointing out gradually, at opportune Ellis, llavelock, STUDIES IN THE PSYmoments, the existence of homosex-

CHOLOGY OF SEX, Volume 2: SEXUAL INVERSION, Third Edition, 1928. Cory, Donald Webster, THE HOMOSEX-

uals in various professions known to the general public, or homosexuals UAL IN AMERICA, 1951.

mattachine REVIEW

made their adjustment, reading the articles in the Mattachine Review, particularly those having to do with the various aspects of the homophile in his or her adaption, and joining discussion groups whose purpose it is to help the homophile solve or meet his or her own individual problems.

Let us think twice before commit ting ourselves as to "Whom We Should Tell." The homosexual needs all the support that he can obtain from friends and loved ones while he is making his adjustment, which adaption is not easy, at best. The awful truth confronts him that he faces a hostile, obdurate society which evinces neither sympathy nor understanding of the complex, perplexing problems facing the individual who feels "different." At first, the homophile may not realize fully why he or she is different and may need guidance and assurance. Later, when he knows with certainty that he is different and the reasons he will seek the companionship of others who are different. It is important that he know where to find companions who can help rather than work toward his detriment. By joining the Mattachine Society and reading the Mattachine Review, the homophile can learn how others have made their adjustment. If he is near a city where discussion and therapy meetings are held, he can meet others who are deeply and sincerely interested in solving their problems.

Many adults who are normally broadminded and considerate in other matters are still woefully ignorant of the homosexual problem. When faced with

it in a loved one, they do not know what to do, or how to act. The immediate reaction is apt to be unfavorable and hostile. Ignorance often spawns intolerance, and intolerance leads to bigotry, misunderstanding, thoughtlessness, and cruelty. Without realizing what they are doing, they may project their worst concepts and fears of the homosexual, talking and acting in a manner they would sincerely regret at a later date. They may develop an antipathy toward the very ones they love. It is human nature to mistrust that which they do not understand. It is for these reasons that we need to absorb the shock by first preparing our loved ones with some knowledge of the homophile problem. If they know something of its content, how it can best be analyzed and criticized, where to seek further knowledge or advice, they will want to advance rather than obstruct the homophile's adaptation to society. They would not resort to venting their wrath against a homosexual any more than they would against one who became physically or mentally ill. If we are to help ourselves, we must enlighten those nearest us, helping them to comprehend the homophile problem before they have to encounter it personally with someone they know.

NEWSSTAND READERS: The April issue of the REVIEW did not appear on newsstands in New York and Los Angeles, because it came off the press late. It contained an excellent story, "The Hustlers," and other big features. If you missed your copy, send 50¢ to the Review office, 693 Mission St., San Francisco 5, and one will be mailed to you first class sealed.