The Reactions of the Homosexual

The foregoing rather appropriately leads into the "reactions" of the homosexual in the large. Up to this point, most of the discussion has centered around the larger society and its stake and role in this "social-problem." Some investigation was also made of several of the interactional processes between society and the homosexual. Now it is time to ask in what ways the homosexual (in the abstract) reacts to society and to the "social-problem," and how best this can be studied.

The answer to the second part of this question must come first, or rather, several suggestions for possible methods of study will be made. In this sense, this is an exploratory study. When the groundwork is thus laid, some of the aspects of the first part of the question will become explicit. And, hopefully, some answers may be provided.

The first general suggestion is that "homosexualism" can most profitably be studied in the same way that other minority groups have been studied. Although this is not a minority group in the usual sense-particularly as to over-all visibility and reification-it partakes of many aspects of minority group phenomena. This is particularly germane from a social problems viewpoint inasmuch, as Cory points out, as contemporary America has become increasingly concerned with the rights and integration of her various minority groups.

As in many other minority-group studies, the first and most fruitful approach seems to be at the "top," the most crystallized and visible part of the group. This usually indicates the' leaders, or spokesmen. In the case of homosexuality, these leaders will here be called the "articulate spokesmen,' for articulation is their hallmark and their primary method of operation.

There are several prominant homosexual organizations in the United States today, wherein these largely self-appointed and dedicated men and women operate. On the whole, these operations appear to be a direct and aboveboard manner and attempt to reach several general (and numerous specific) goals in behalf of the homosexual individual. Functioning within the general context of sexual behavior, the gross result often is to deal with the whole gamut of sex, civil rights, legalism and education. Thus, it often seems to be the case that society in general is the recipient of the fruits of their labors.

The primary emphasis of most of their efforts is directed at the larger society, and more specifically, at the points where society meets and directly influences the variant person (i.e., laws, police, courts, churches, educational institutions, etc.).

Of the several possible choices (or directions) that a minority group can 20 mattachine. REVIEW

make concerning the larger society, these articulate leaders appear primarily to have chosen co-existence. That is, integration in all but one respect in which they seek a pluralistic adjustment. To the extent that most homosexuals are already members of the larger society in other respects, a good degree of assimilation already exists, so this can not be seen as an end.25 The ultimate goals of these organizations can be summed up in a statement by the editor of the Mattachine Review to the effect that they are organized towards the day when they can disband. There seems to be a sincere feeling that the guarantees of "democratic equality" and acceptance can and must be realized for the homosexual individual.

The general thesis of these organizations is that realism and enlightenment through increased public (and academic and scientific) knowledge will be the way in which their goals are realized. In their role as a “link” between the homosexual and society, they seek to fulfill primarily a communicative function. It is, of course, through communication and mass media that this increased knowledge can be disseminated.

In their own words (from the format of the monthly Mattachine Review): "The Mattachine Society, Incorporated......, (is) a non-profit, non-partisan organization founded in the public interest for the purpose of providing 'true' and accurate information toward the solution, of problems of human sex behavior, particularly those of the homosexualadult." (emphasis, author's) Again:

"(One, Incorporated is) a non-profit corporation formed to publish a magazine dealing primarily with homosexuality from the scientific, historical and critical points of view....books, magazines, pamphlets....to sponsor educational programs, lectures and concerts for the aid and benefit of social variants, and to promote among the general public an interest, knowledge and understanding of the problem of variation.... to sponsor research and promote the integration into society of such persons whose behavior and inclinations vary from current moral and social standards."

And finally:

"(The) purpose of the Daughters of Bilitis: a women's organization for the purpose of promoting the integration of the homosexual into society by: 1. Education of the variant, with particular emphasis on the psychological, and sociological aspects, to enable her to understand herself and make her adjustment to society in all its social, civic and economic implications this to be accomplished by establishing and maintaining as complete a library as possible of both fiction and non-fiction literature on the sex deviant theme; by sponsoring public discussions on pertinent subjects to be conducted by leading members of the legal, psychiatric, religious and other 25. For a full discussion of these minority group processes, see Brewton Berry, and Ethnic Relations, especially pp. 181-334.

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