members of the Mattachine Society: Harold Call, Donald Lucas and Les Fisher.

women alleged to be lesbian. The bar's attorney had been quoted, "None of the customers is shocked by anyThe "Sixth Man". minority of mod thing that goes on there only the ern America is placed in sharp focus tourists from the liquor board." Realas these experts from several fields izing that homosexuals did exist and and divided attitudes approach a subthat they had a right to drink as does ject normally taboo on a mass medany other adult, Mr. Wright stated he ium like television. But the expres believed the situation would be aided sion of those who base their outlook if signs were posted on these barson modern scientific knowledge is rethereby those who wanted not to aspeated in various ways: The homo-sociate with them could go elsewhere. sexual is among us in large numbers; he must understand and accept himself, and in turn, society must understand him, and grant him his place as a human being.

Negotiations are under way to produce the transcript of this program into a booklet to be issued under the same title as that of the program. NEWSPAPER COLUMNIST TREATS 3RD SEX' THEME

In June and July, Feature Writer Guy Wright, whose daily column appears on the editorial pages of the San Francisco News-Call-Bulletin, discussed homosexuality and gay bars, pro and con, on four occasions. The fourth and "closing" portion of the discussion explained the why, how and what of the Mattachine Society, and is reproduced following this item.

But this idea. brought a mixed response. Homosexuals, particularly, wanted none of it: A sign, they said, would label them individually, and this threat of exposure was shattering at best. As might be expected, crackpots responded vociferously (and some of them were advised by Mr. Wright they needed psychoanalytical help). A few well-chosen replies published were from enlightened adults, and still a few more were from homosexuals themselves.

The sign didn't get any widespread endorsement, however. But a letter from the editor of the Mattachine REVIEW apparently caused Mr. Wright to call the Society for an interview which resulted in his wind-up of the topic. The article below speaks for itself, and in presenting it, the REVIEW expresses its sincere gratitude for the fair and forthright way in which it was written. One possible comment to REVIEW readers might concern Mattachine's closing of area councils in other cities-but this has already been explained to our readership. Here is what Mr. Wright said on July 25th. in the San Francisco News-

Mr. Wright's opener was an advocation of special signs for "gay bars," the places where homosexuals congregate in large cities. This was occasioned by a news report that California Alcoholic Beverage Control Department officials announced an action against a bar frequented by Call-Bulletin: 28

mattachine REVIEW

TH

Guy WRIGHT

A Self-Help Organization

For Men of Third Sex

HE MATTACHINE Society is a selfhelp organization for homosexuals. It was formed in Los Angeles in 1950, but moved its headquarters to San Francisco in 1957.

Few people knew of its existence until it became a bogus issue in the last may. oralty election, with the mud-slingers picturing it as some kind of Mafia for sex deviates.

Nothing could be further from the truth, and I can think of no better way to bring to a close this column's sporadic discussion of a normally taboo subject than with an honest report on the nature and activities of the Mattachine Society.

"People are suspicious of us. We understand that,” said Harold L. Call, a board member of the society and its director of publications.

"We don't seek publicity, but believe me, we aren't trying to build some sinister pressure group," he added.

The society is far too weak for that, in any case. Its national membership never reached 350, and now is dropping. It's down to about 225, mostly in Northern California. Once there were chapters in Boston, New York, Denver and Chicago, but they've all been closed.

"Considering the number of homosexuals (an estimated 90,000 in San Francisco) we must admit we're doing a poor job," Mr. Call said.

Members must be 21 years old. Most are homosexuals, but not all.

Story Behind Name

The name, Mattachine, is from the language of old Provence. It means "little fool" and refers to medieval court jesters, who often were homosexuals.

The Mattachine Society has two basic functions: To help the homosexual accept himself; to educate society to accept him.

It does what it can on an annual budget of $12,000-made up of donations, dues ($15 a year) and sale of its monthly magazine, the Mattachine Review.

It conducts forums, aids university researchers, co-operates with public health officials and police.

"We aren't police informers. They've

never asked us to divulge our membership list, and we couldn't without losing the confidence of the people we're trying to help," Mr. Call said.

The society expends most of its efforts helping homosexuals understand themselves. Many don't. Many have quite inaccurate beliefs about the how and why of their conditions.

"Many don't even realize that they . are homosexuals until they're sent to prison for something else. There they learn all about it," Mr. Call said with an edge of bitterness.

Referral Service

A referral service sends distraught homosexuals to clergymen or psychiatrists. With this help, some have rejoined the ranks of the heterosexuals. Others have been saved from suicide.

When a homosexual gets into trouble with the law (usually on a lewd conduct charge; the incidence of blackmail is exaggerated) the society refers him to an understanding attorney. When he is released, it does what it can to help him find a job and rebuild his life.

A major goal of the society is to wipe out laws that make homosexuality a crime and to substitute the principle that the sex practices of adults, when performed by mutual consent and in private, should not be a criminal matter.

If that shocks you, Mr. Call points out that the principle has been indorsed by the eminent jurist Learned Hand, and is already the law in many countries.

"We realize it will require a great deal of public enlightenment first," Mr. Call said. "But we want to avoid the sort of thing that happened in Santa Monica a few years ago, when some fiend killed a child and hid his body under a pier. The city fathers solved the problem, all right. They made sure it would never. happen again. They tore down the pier." News-Call BulletinFeature Page ☆☆Tuesday, July 25, 1961 Page 21