READERS write

Letters from readers are solicited for publication in this regular monthly department. They should be short and all must be signed by the writer. Only initials of the writer and the state or country of residence will be published. Opinion expressed in published letters need not necessarily reflect that of the REVIEW or the Mattachine Society. No names of individuals will be exchanged for correspondence purposes.

READY TO HELP

born blind, the boy with only one leg, with only half a brain?

times became more numerous in the past year until I received 4 copies of the REVIEW and today your letter and enclosures really gave me the lift I needed so badly.

I stated to you that sometimes life does REVIEW EDITOR: Am in receipt of your not seem wath living. Believe me these wonderful letter and enclosures this date and from the bottom of my heart I'm humbly thankful to you. There are no words to express the hopelessness that I've felt the past year. The REVIEW and your letI have no money to give you but if God ter have given me the only real hope for future happiness I have had in several

years.

May I take some of your time to tell you my story. It must be told. It's something I've got to tell someone.

listens to the prayers of people like me you will feel His help for I have prayed nightly for the success of the Society. I solemnly promise you that if the time comes to pass, you will never have to ask me for financial help for. I will give it humbly and with an eternally grateful heart.

To begin with I was born in Cincinnati, Ohio of poor German parents strict in their Catholic belief. Both are wonderful peoI sincerely hope that I shall have the ple, believe me,. but life was hard and great honor of meeting you and the other strict for us children. I entered the monmembers of the governing body of the astery at the age of 14 for a course of Society. I stand ready to help in any way studies which would ultimately lead to I can. -Mr. T.F.G., Kentucky.

the priesthood.

It was a grueling, severe task for me because, I know now, that I was never meant for this type of life. I survived 7 years of this, but ill health made me leave my studies. This broke the heart of my parents for the first time. I went to work for a year then enlisted in the U.S. Army. This was the second heartbreak for them. I remained in the Army for 9 years, at taining the rank of 1st Sergeant of a, Medium Tank Co., serving in France and Germany during the war.

EDITOR'S NOTE: See "Readers Write" in May 1962 issue for Mr. T.G.'s earlier

letter.

CROSS-SECTION?

$

REVIEW EDITOR: As I carry on my usual various studies, I have, in instances come across your name in various publications

After several years in the Army Re--and books, as well. cruiting service I developed a bleeding

Having spoken to you recently on the

ulcer of the stomach and was discharged. telephone, it is my understanding that you I married and lived a very happy life (2 sided) for 14 years, but finally this double life caught up with me and to prison I went for 6 months.

Now I am working in a small restaurant a few hours a day. It's the best I can do here! What terrible crime could I have committed to be so ignored, censured and completely banished from society?

Being born as I was, with the slight difference of whom I want to live and love with does not impress me as being a crime. Do they banish the girl who was

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put out an official publication which reaches a cross-section of people throughout the country (somewhat as the Californian, edited by Burton Wolfe).

I am enclosing my check for fifty cents for a specimen copy of a current or back issue of your magazine.

I will review your publication carefully; and if I decide that it should find its place among my other periodicals that I receive regularly, I will remit accordingly for the year or six months as you so offer. Mr. P.A.B., California.

mattachine REVIEW

INQUIRY

REVIEW EDITOR: I have just finished reading The Sixth Man by Jess Steam, and feel that I would like to know more about the Mattachine Society. I find it very hard to write this letter; I have never written or discussed this subject with anyone before.-M. R.K., Califomia. REVIEW EDITOR: I have read with int erest of the purposes/and activities of the Mattachine Society in the book entitled The Sixth Man. It is the first occa sion I have had to be knowledgeable of your existence.

Will you send me any information you may have on the Society and include what needs to be done as far as an application for membership in it. I certainly will ap preciate your doing so.-Mr. H.A., Wash. REVIEW EDITOR: I would like to have some information on your publication... I have just finished reading an article on homosexuality reprinted from the REVIEW, and as this is an area that I am interested in, I would like to have any information that you could give...-Mr. W.D., N.C. REVIEW EDITOR: I have recently heard from a friend living in the United States about your magazine, and being very interested, I should be very happy if you could send me a specimen copy, also details of the annual subscription.—Mr. E.W., England.

REVIEW EDITOR: I wish to take out a subscription to your magazine and would like to know the subscription rate, whe ther it is possible to pay in sterling and the price of back numbers of your magazine. Mr. T.S., England.

ARREST

?

REVIEW EDITOR: I have recently been arrested and released on bond on a war rant charging gross indecency with a minor (male). A friend who is familiar with the Mattachine Society suggested that I contact you to find out if you have a rep

resentative in Michigan who might give me some advice or help in this matter. If you do, I would appreciate anything you might do or any information which you might send.-Mr. W.B., Mich.

EDITOR'S NOTE: The Mattachine Society does not condone adult-child sexual relationships, but it is well aware that the facts in such cases are sometimes not brought to light. The above writer was referred to a competent attorney.

CENSORSHIP DOWNUNDER

REVIEW EDITOR: Well, your last issue under plain cover came through Q.K. and I now have received official Notice of Seizure stating that the copy of the magazinę, "Mattachine Review" (Feb., '62), which was forwarded to me per post' from U.S.A., on the grounds that the said magazine is a prohibited import within the meaning of Item 7 of the First Schedule to the Customs (Prohibited Import) Regulation.

I did phone the Melboume Dept. and asked them what was in Item 7, etc., and they switched me from one government ser vant to the next. And then I was asked why I wanted to know! They explained after a long wait that (such) printed matter is abusive, blasphemous, indecent, insulting, obscene, offensive or profane in words or pictures.

I then asked what was offensive in the said copy, and let them know that the magazine has a clean bill in the States, and asked if they could point out something offensive. The gentleman on the end of the phone said that the magazine was sent to Canberra and a "doctor" had passed judgment on it. My comment was that if medical doctors judge books such as Mattachine REVIEW, they could not find them offensive; but that's the story. I do suspect that the February issue was stopped because it had reference to NEW LAWS in America, and people might want the same thing in British countries. -Mr. J.W., Australia.

APPRECIATION

REVIEW EDITOR: I commend you for your excellent and gracious work. Here is a renewal of my subscription for a 6month period. Mrs. M.W.P., Okla.

REVIEW EDITOR: I am a fairly new subscriber just since January of this year. I was amazed to read in the April issue that out of 700 subscribers, only 225 are Supporting Members...

I should like to join the ranks as a Sup

porting Member, and have enclosed my

check. Truly I wish it could be more, but it just isn't possible at this time.

I suppose many feel that unless they live near the San Francisco area, they would reap very little from any financial support. This, of course, is a rather nar row and selfish attitude, but one I'm sure you can understand, nonetheless...

Other than "financial aid" and encourcouraging others to "subscribe" and "con 31.