Cover Subject:

PETER WILDEBLOOD

mattachine

REVIEW

Founded in 1954–First Issue January 1955

Volume V

NOVEMBER 1959 Number 11

Julian Press of New York last month published Peter Wildeblood's book, "Against the Law," in the U. S. The book had appeared in England in 1955 and was reprinted there as a paperback in 1957. It was reviewed in the REVIEW in June and July 1956. A second book by Wildeblood, "A Way of Life," appeared soon thereafter. An excerpt from it, "Many Mansions," was published in this magazine in April 1957.

"Against the Law," the first book about homosexuality to reach a mass audience in England, is not a comfortable book, as the following brief preface to it by Max Lerner states. But it does throw light on a problem that, directly or indirectly, concerns every one of us. We are learning that homosexuality is seldom as far away from us as we might like to think it is. We are told that about every 10th adult in the U. S., for instance, is homosexually oriented to a significant degree.

Wildeblood is a well-known British journalist. He was sentenced to 18 months' imprisonment for homosexual offenses in March 1954. The controversial case in which he was involved -the Montagu case-was largely responsible for the British government's 2

investigation of the whole question of homosexuality and the laws pertaining to it. This resulted in the Wolfenden Report. "Against the Law" is a first-person account of the ordeal, a courageous viewpoint of what it means to be homosexual and a central figure in a cause célèbre.

The author was born in Italy in 1923. He joined the RAF at 18, was a meteorologist in Rhodesia, then took a scholarship at Trinity College, Oxford, in 1945. Later he worked as a waiter in a London hotel and wrote a play, "Primrose and the Peanuts." He joined the staff of the London Daily Mail in 1948, and became famous as a diplomatic correspondent. He is the author of two additional novels, one of which, "West End People," has been adapted as a mus ical with book and lyrics by Wilde. blood, and recently opened in London. He has written articles for magazines and a number of TV scripts. "Against the Law" is not a new book. But it is important for American readers to whom it is now avail able. In the article following, the preface to the Julian Press edition is reprinted here for REVIEW readers. Max Lerner, its author, is a writer for the New York Post

mattachine REVIEW

Editor

HAROLD L. CALL

Business Manager DONALD S. LUCAS

Production Director HENRY FOSTER, JR. Treasurer

O. CONRAD BOWMAN, JR. Editorial Board GONZALO SEGURA, JR. CARL B. HARDING DR. HENRI LORMIER MRS. LEAH GAILEY WALLACE DE ORTEGA MAXEY

Psychological Consultants

DR. PHYLLIS C. KRONHAUSEN DR. EBERHARD W. KRONHAUSEN

Published monthly by the Mattachine Society, lac., 693 Mission St., San Francisco 5, California. Telephone EXbrook 7-0773. Copyright 1959 by the Mattacbine Society, Inc. Fifth year of publica tion. Mattachine Foundation, Inc., established in 1950 at Los Angeles; Mattachine Society formed in 1953 and chartered as non-profit, xom partisan educational, research and social service corporation in Cali fornia. Founded in the public interest for purpose of providing true and accurate information leading to solution of sex behavior problems, particularly those of the homosexual adult.

The REVIEW is available on many U.S. newsstands at 50c per copy, and by subscription (mailed in plain, sealed envelope). Rates in advance: 85 in U.S. and posseszlons; $6 foreign.

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CONTENTS

2 Cover Profile: Pater Wildeblood

4"Against the Law," Preface, Max Lerner

8"Dear Dr. Ellis," Open Letter, Chester A. Arthur

11 Mattachine Seminar Series, Hal Call

Smear Drive, Comment by Wes Knight

Sex Deviates Make S. F. Headquarters

Mystery Man Seen In Smear, Yancey Smith 26-Vice Issue Planted, George Draper 29-Wolden Sued for Slander

30 "Get Out, Wolden!''

31 Wolden Charge Hit by Demos 32-Wolden Should Withdraw

32 Unforgivable Slur on San Francisco 34 Readers Write

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