Calling

Shots

THE CHALLENGE OF CHANGE 1955-1962

Thomas Jefferson provided the words for the cover of the first issue of Mattachine REVIEW which appeared in January 1955-eight years ago. They were the 'words inscribed on the wall of the Jefferson Memorial in Washington, D. C and were selected to appear' under the heading; "The Challenge of Change," which the editors chose to be the keynote for the new magazine.

At the beginning of the REVIEW'S eighth year, it seems appropriate to return. to Thomas Jefferson and his wisdom:

"I am not an advocate for frequent changes in laws and constitutions.

But laws and institutions must go hand in hand with the progress of the human mind. As that becomes more developed, more enlightened, as new discoveries are made, new truths dis-

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covered and manners and opinions change, with the change of circumstances, institutions must advance also to keep pace with the times. We might as well require a man to wear

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still the coat which fitted him when a boy as civilized society to remain ever under the regimen of their barbarous ancestors."

That is the inscription barely visible behind the statue of Jefferson on the cover of this issue. They were true in the days when the U. S. was born; they are just as true today.

Thinking adults are meeting the challenge of change. Since 1945and particularly since 1948-changes in thinking about matters of sex have gone deeper into the mores of the American culture and progress has been noted. A greater number of people than ever are now advocating attitudes of enlightenment and freedom from the old myths and prejudices.

But this change isn't easy, and it isn't swift, except when compared to the total of man's recorded history. Attitudes and prejudices which may span up to 25 or so centuries of the Christian-Jewish tradition do not get erased in a generation.

Here are some of the significant changes noted over the past eight years:

1. A greater "freedom to read" in the English-speaking world, particularly in the U. S. Pressure of the censors' remains, but laws and courts progressively permit greater.freedom. In California in December a jury acquitted a bookseller on the charge of selling an obscene book ("Tropic of Cancer"), and therefore the book was technically declared not obscene, although some jurors thought it so.

2 Greater freedom for adults en(Continued on page 30) mattachine REVIEW

Editor

HAROLD L. CALL

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Associate Editor LEWIS C. CHRISTIE Business Manager DONALD S. LUCAS

Treasurer

O. CONRAD BOWMAN, JR.

Editorial Board

ROLLAND HOWARD WALLACE DE ORTEGA MAXEY

Trademark Registered U.S. Patent Office

Published monthly by the Matta chine Society, lac., 693 Mission St., San Francisco 5, California. Telephone Douglas 2-3799.

Copyright 1961 by the Mattachine Society, Inc. Seventh year of publice tion. Mattachine Foundation, Inc., established in 1950 at Los Angeles; Mattachine Society formed in 1953 and chartered as non-profit, monpartisan educational, research and social service corporation in Cališ fornia. Founded in the public interest for purpose of providing true and accurate information leading to solution of sex bebavior problems, particularly those of the bomosexual adult.

The REVIEW is available on maxy U.S. newsstands at 50c per copy, and by subscription (mailed in plain, sealed envelope). Ṛates in advance: $5 in U.S. and possessions; $6 foreign.

mattachine® REVIEW

Founded in 1954-First Issue January 1955

VOLUME VIII UME

JANUARY 1962

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

NUMBER 1

2-CALLING SHOTS: The Challenge of Change 4-NEW ILLINOIS PENAL CODE

5-WHO HAS THE 'BOOK' MATCHES NOW? 6-PORNOGRAPHY, ART AND CENSORSHIP by Paul Goodman

17-CALIFORNIA'S NEW LAW ON OBSCENITY, by Terry L. Baum 28-PRAYER FOR THE NEW YEAR 29-BOOKS: Betrayal Almost Boomerangs 31-READERS WRITE

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COVER: Jefferson Memorial, Washington, D. C., commemorating Thomas Jefferson, America's advocate of human dignity.

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