DOB CONVENTION

'A Look at the Lesbian'

By Sten Russell

(This is one convention which will be a real joy to report so if this reporter gets carried away and editorializes, rhapsodi zes and turns lyric the reader will please forgive her for forsaking her usual high standards of reporting the facts and only the facts!)

The Daughters of Bilitis 1st National Convention held May 27-30, 1960 in San Francisco will be a never-to-beforgotten experience for all those who were fortunate 0nough to be able to attend. Members and friends from all over the United States, Canada and England were there. The program was one of the most outstanding ever given by an organization interested in shedding light on the homophile problem. While the theme of the convention was "A Look at the Lesbian", problems concerning gay men were also explored.

Friday night featured a reception for out-of-town guests at the home of President Del and Editor Phyl. Some 50 to 75 people crowded happily into the small quarters from the hours of 8:00 to 12:00. "Daughters" kept arriving until 6:00 the next morning, however. One group drove all night from Los Angeles in order to make the convention on time! Such stamina! Noble San Francisco Daughters were meeting planes, trains and buses from 2:00 Friday afternoon on into the night. Out-of-town guests were quartered with San Francisco members. This generous procedure accomplished two things: it saved th out-of-towners stacks of money and it also helped everyone get to know ach other better than they could have otherwise.

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The Saturday s ssions, which were open to the public, werd held in the beautiful Vista Room of the Hotel Whitcomb.

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