Mattachine Society

The Mattachine Foundation was organized in Los Angeles in 1950 by Harry Hay and seven other gay men. All these men were either communists or radicals. The group was named after the Mattachines, a medieval troupe of men who went from village to village advocating social justice. In 1951, the organization began sponsoring discussion groups to raise consciousness among gay men. For many, this was the first time in their lives they could share their feelings and experiences openly. In the early 1950's, these discussion groups began to spread. They even began to organize social events and fundraisers, as well as publish newsletters. In 1951, Mattachine adopted two major purposes: 1) It called for a grassroots effort to challenge anti-gay discrimination and 2) It called for building a positive homosexual community and culture. Besides raising consciousness through its discussions and publications, Mattachine began to legally challenge the entrapment of gay men by law enforcement officials and even began to poll political candidates on gay rights issues.

In 1953, with McCarthy's witch hunts at their peak, an article linking Mattachine to communism shook the group to its foundations. Many of the group's members were "horrified" that their organization might be linked to communism. Conservative members of Mattachine took over, and the group's founders resigned. It's goals changed from claiming a minority status and building a thriving gay community, to assimilation of homosexuals into mainstream society.

Unfortunately, the new leadership shared none of the vision or experience of the original founders. They drastically revised the goals of the organization, backtracking in every area. Instead of social change, they advocated accommodation. Instead of mobilizing gay people, they sought the support of professionals, who they believed held the key to reform. They stated, we do not advocate a homosexual culture or community, and we believe none exists.? (Mattachine: Radical Roots of Gay Liberation).

In 1953, the organization changed it's name to the "Mattachine Society", and its membership and momentum began to decline. At it's 1954 convention, only fourty-two members attended. Even so, chapters of Mattachine existed nationwide until the 1960's. In 1953, the organization began publishing ONE Magazine, and in 1955 it began producing the Mattachine Review.

Resources:

Books:

Sexual Politics, Sexual Communities: The Making of a Homosexual Minority in the United States, 1940-1970 by John D'Emilio, University of Chicago Press.

Web Sites:

Knitting Circle: Mattachine Society

Mattachine: Radical Roots of Gay Liberation

Mattachine House

50 years of gay and lesbian activism

ONE Magazine