The June 29 debate on Wolfenden Committee proposals in the House of Commons (in which the measure was defeated 99-213) had strong support in the British press. Below is an article which appeared in the LONDON OBSERVER before the debate. Following it is an article

which came out in another British newspaper in which a Laborite woman MP favored the proposal in Parliament and took a Conservative masculine opponent to task. These seem to sum up the situation for the moment in England.

Homosexuals: a

ART Two of the Wolfenden stitutes at least a breeze, if not a Report is to be debated again wind: and the breeze is strong in the Commons on June 29. enough to show that the Government Since the last debate, in November, would not lose the confidence of the 1958, little has been heard from nation if it were to implement the Westminster other than the stock findings of its Departmental Comclichés that "this is a difficult and mittee. complex problem and that legislation at the present time would be premature." But among the general public it seems that legal reform is demanded, or at least that its necessity is widely accepted.

There are signs, too, of a grow ing impatience at Government delay. Most people do not often think about homosexuality: but an increasing number are prepared to give the matter serious consideration. And when one brings the problem to people's notice, the typical question now is not, as it was even a year ago, "Should something be done about the law?" but "Why hasn't something been done about the law?" or even "Surely it isn't still illegal in private?"

This issue is not of world importance: but it is of supreme personal importance to a not insignificant minority of our population. These men are waiting, not for complete licence, but for the same freedom to make moral choices about their private lives as is given to the rest of us without question, and for the same protection against blackmail, threats and robbery. The change in the general climate of opinion con-

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During the past two years, the Homosexual Law Reform Society has taken part in a large number of small meetings, representing various layers of responsible public opinion -Rotary Clubs, local political groups, legal debating societies, medical societies and so on. Two years ago, at these meetings, there was always a substantial minority who voiced robust disapproval of any change in the law. This minority seems now to have disappeared, or at least to have been reduced to silence.

Apologetic Doubts

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At a Toc H meeting in a Kent village, two months ago, member ventured to say that he disliked homosexual practices and thought they should be punished. The others rounded on him with the retort that this was not a proper Toc H attitude, and that personal dislike of other people's way of life was no reason for locking them up.

One still meets with doubts and queries about the possible effects of a change in the law: but they are voiced apologetically, and without

mattachine REVIEW

Breeze of Change

By The Rev. A. HALLIDIE SMITH

any of the fervent moral righteousness which was to be found two years ago. Self-confessed homosexuals have taken part in a few of these meetings, and nowadays they are always given a friendly reception.

On May 12 last, our society held a public meeting in Caxton Hall; it was addressed by the Bishop of Exeter, Mrs. Anne Allen, J.P., Dr. Lindesay Neustatter and Mr. Kingsley Martin. Its purpose was in part to determine the extent of public support for the reform, and for this reason we advertised it widely. We did not encourage our known supporters to attend: but we put advertisements in national and London newspapers and posters on Underground stations; and women helpers distributed some thousands of handbills in various parts of the West End.

The response far exceeded our expectations, both in numbers and in enthusiasm.' At least a thousand men and women were present, including a number of magistrates, lawyers, Members of Parliament, doctors, clergy and probation officers. Although many different points of view were expressed about the problem of homosexuality, both by the speakers and by members of the audience, the feeling that the

law needed to be reformed was almost unanimous. Indeed, a resolution calling on the Government to implement the Wolfenden findings without further delay was carried with only three dissenting votes.

Quaker Study

It is not only this society which is pressing for reform. On May 20, The Friend printed an article under the signatures of a responsible group of Quakers who had been studying the problem for some time, The article was significant in that it took the need for legal reform for granted and went on to raise far-reaching questions of morality which have so far been largely avoided.

The Guardian of May 23 reported a new departure. On the previous Sunday evening, at Speakers' Corner, a young man who spoke strongly on this subject attracted the largest and most attentive crowd of the evening. The questions and answers were "frank, uninhibited, and at the same time serious. The young policemen around stood fascinated and looked as if they could not believe their ears."

*The Rev. Hallidie Smith is Secretary and Honorary Treasurer of the Homosexual Law Reform Society.