Vector, Newsletter of the Newly-Formed Society for Individual Rights, Reports on California Hall Affair
Dublin Core
Title
Vector, Newsletter of the Newly-Formed Society for Individual Rights, Reports on California Hall Affair
Description
Vector, vol. 1, no. 2, January 1965.
Source
Repository: GLBT Historical Society
Text Item Type Metadata
Text
Private Benefit Ball Invaded
On January 1st the Vice Squad openly declared war on the local homophile community. A task force of 55 was ordered to intimidate, harass and make arrests; and to in any fashion destroy the ball held by the Council on Religion and the Homosexual.
This they did, in the most brutal and ugly manner, yet in contrast, 600 ticket holders behaved with exemplary courage and personal pride in the face of this outrage. The Council on Religion and the Homosexual acted in good faith when they talked with police officials and proceeded with plans for the Mardi Gras Ball to raise funds to operate. And then, without warning, this huge force of Vice Squad members, in a complete reversal of stated position, invaded the ball and disrupted the affair.
The action in this affair will be contested in court to establish the right of homosexuals and all adults to assemble lawfully without invasion of privacy, taking of photographs without permission and other illegal tactics. The American Civil Liberties Union has entered the case, and the Community knows lawful rights, as much as can be expected with current statutes, will be upheld.
Decisive political activity is also under way, for this marks a beginning and not the end for our determination to achieve full citizenship for homosexuals and to exercise our considerable voting power at ensuing elections.
On January 1st the Vice Squad openly declared war on the local homophile community. A task force of 55 was ordered to intimidate, harass and make arrests; and to in any fashion destroy the ball held by the Council on Religion and the Homosexual.
This they did, in the most brutal and ugly manner, yet in contrast, 600 ticket holders behaved with exemplary courage and personal pride in the face of this outrage. The Council on Religion and the Homosexual acted in good faith when they talked with police officials and proceeded with plans for the Mardi Gras Ball to raise funds to operate. And then, without warning, this huge force of Vice Squad members, in a complete reversal of stated position, invaded the ball and disrupted the affair.
The action in this affair will be contested in court to establish the right of homosexuals and all adults to assemble lawfully without invasion of privacy, taking of photographs without permission and other illegal tactics. The American Civil Liberties Union has entered the case, and the Community knows lawful rights, as much as can be expected with current statutes, will be upheld.
Decisive political activity is also under way, for this marks a beginning and not the end for our determination to achieve full citizenship for homosexuals and to exercise our considerable voting power at ensuing elections.
Citation
“Vector, Newsletter of the Newly-Formed Society for Individual Rights, Reports on California Hall Affair”, The Council on Religion and the Homosexual, LGBTQ Religious Archives Network, accessed May 18, 2024, https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/exhibits/show/crh/item/1789.