Minutes of CRH Board Meeting on April 22, 1965
Dublin Core
Title
Minutes of CRH Board Meeting on April 22, 1965
Description
Phyllis Lyon & Del Martin Papers.
Source
Repository: GLBT Historical Society
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Text
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The meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Council on Religion and the Homosexual held April 22, 1965 at Glide Foundation was called to order by Rev. Ted McIlvenna, president, at 7:55 p.m. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and approved.
Treasurer Bob Walker gave a financial report. He said that all contributions had been acknowledged, but there had not been much in from donations, that specific fund raising events had been the most contributive.
New Year's Ball net income 1192.12
Golden Cask Benefit 700.27
General Donations 402.22
2294.61 Total Income
Disbursements 440.18
Bad Checks 110.00
550.18 Total Expenditures
Leaving a balance of 1744.43
Mr. Walker then brought up the issue of receipts of money for sale of New Year's Ball tickets which was not made immediately available to the Council and in which cases certain trustees were involved. He referred to $485 due from Mattachine (of which $265 had been stolen) and $100 due from Strait & Associates (check having been returned from the bank as NSF). There was a length and emotional discussion on ethical conduct during which time Guy Strait tendered his resignation which was not accepted. It was pointed out that the Mattachine debt had been paid in full and $20 paid on account for Strait & Associates, that all monies from the outset had been accounted for and persons involved held accountable, that the Council had nothing to gain by further dispute, that disloyalty evident among the homophile organizations and their leaders could destroy the movement and the Council with it, that it was a responsibility of Board members to squelch all rumors and to be responsible to each other.
Pres. McIlvenna expressed his appreciation of the candor and honesty evident at this meeting. He went on to point out that throughout his travels in Chicago, New York, Nashville, etc. everyone knows about the Council, that the CRH image is tremendous import, and really out of proportion to our actual operation. But with this awareness, he said, we will be faced with continual problems, tough decisions, pressures from inside and outside.
Evander Smith reported on the unsuccessful conclusion of the case of disorderly conduct (647A) against the two fellows that developed out of the Mardi Gras Ball. Mr. Smith indicated there were no grounds for appeal. He also said that he hoped to get Morris Lowenthal to represent them in the false arrest cases, which were filed as result of the first trial of the three attorneys and Mrs. Nancy May.
Bill Beardemphl reported on the Southern California ACLU subcommittee meeting he and Darryl Glied attended. He said the Southern California and Indiana branches of the ACLU were collaborating on exploration and research in the field of Sex and Civil Liberties, that he and Mr. Glied attended the Sex & Gender Committee meeting April 1 which was chaired by Vern L. Bulla. The discussion brought out such ethical and legal aspects as: laws against homosexuals are religious carry-overs, law should enter the area of sex only when children, force or public devency is involved, registration of sex offenders is a violation of civil rights, many licensing practices are questionable and that a documented report of cases would be necessary to establish evidence to this effect.
Mark Forrester said there was a need for more strategy. Guy Strait pointed out there were 123 homosexual arrests in the last two months as opposed to 54 the previous
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two months, that 27 cases were dismissed. Ted McIlvenna observed that there was still need for education, that demonstrations had become unpopular and after all juries were drawn from these people. He suggested personal letters be sent with copies of Church and the Homosexual booklet and the Brief of Injustices. Phyllis Leon said that CRH brochure was in Rev. Don Kuhn's hands for a cover, that the copy had been written. Guy Strait said CRH could create an issue by petitioning the Grand Jury to investigate the treatment of homosexuals pointing out the roust arrests, that bail bondsmen are making a fortune, that 650 1/2 and 440 are unconstitutional charges. Bob Walker said we should pursue our petition to the Justice Department.
The question of releasing the Brief of Injustices as an exclusive to the Chronicle was suggested - either through Donovan Bess or Charles Radebungh, the crime editor. Phyllis leon said the brief had been sent to all the ministers on the Board, that comments were in and final draft in process. Mark Forrester said he would like to have Rev. Neale Secor, Rev. Don Juhn, Guy Strait and Earl Moss serve on a committee with him to handle mail distribution.
Ted McIlvenna expressed need for a bookcase for the Council, which he intended to order.
The KRON-TV documentary was discussed and Don Kuhn's recommendation that the Council make an unqualified commendation of the program was rejected. In fact the CRH Board elected to make no comment whatsoever.
Hal Call announced another hearing on the pornography issue would be held at 7:30 p.m. April 27 in Sacramento. He said it would helpful is some of the ministers would be there, that homosexuality as a subject could be censored and that Council literature as well as homophile publications could be banned under stipulation of some of the bills pending before the state legislature.
Rev. Clay Colwell said that out of his correspondence with Los Angeles Ministers he had nine on record as desirous of a meeting with some CRH Board members to explore the possibility of setting up a Los Angeles Council. Tentative possible dates for a fully day and evening consultation suggested were Tuesday, June 1, and Wednesday, June 9.
Don Lucas said he and Fred Bird spoke to the Jr. Chamber of Commerce Committee of Government, a group of 16 members who are interested in the homosexual problem in San Francisco and who expect to draft a resolution in connection with the ACLU about police harassment.
Ted McIlvenna reported that the National Council of Churches had set up a new committee on the Church and the Homosexual in New York.
Don Lucas said that the Episcopal Diocese of California had authorized appointment of a committee of professional persons, clergy, and members of the homophile community to study in depth and come up with a recommended policy for the Diocese to adopt with reference to homosexuality.
Pres. McIlvenna said that B.J. Stiles has an issue of Motive all planned on homosexuality, but is having difficulty obtaining approval. He had requested that we send articles for a proposed booklet.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:25 p.m.
Del Martin, Secretary
Trustees present at meeting: Revs. Ted McIlvenna, Charles Lewis and Clay Colwell; Bob Walker, Bill Beardemphl, Phyllis Leon, Mark Forrester, Hal Call, Don Lucas, Del Martin, Guy Strait. One guest, Evander Smith, was also present.
The meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Council on Religion and the Homosexual held April 22, 1965 at Glide Foundation was called to order by Rev. Ted McIlvenna, president, at 7:55 p.m. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and approved.
Treasurer Bob Walker gave a financial report. He said that all contributions had been acknowledged, but there had not been much in from donations, that specific fund raising events had been the most contributive.
New Year's Ball net income 1192.12
Golden Cask Benefit 700.27
General Donations 402.22
2294.61 Total Income
Disbursements 440.18
Bad Checks 110.00
550.18 Total Expenditures
Leaving a balance of 1744.43
Mr. Walker then brought up the issue of receipts of money for sale of New Year's Ball tickets which was not made immediately available to the Council and in which cases certain trustees were involved. He referred to $485 due from Mattachine (of which $265 had been stolen) and $100 due from Strait & Associates (check having been returned from the bank as NSF). There was a length and emotional discussion on ethical conduct during which time Guy Strait tendered his resignation which was not accepted. It was pointed out that the Mattachine debt had been paid in full and $20 paid on account for Strait & Associates, that all monies from the outset had been accounted for and persons involved held accountable, that the Council had nothing to gain by further dispute, that disloyalty evident among the homophile organizations and their leaders could destroy the movement and the Council with it, that it was a responsibility of Board members to squelch all rumors and to be responsible to each other.
Pres. McIlvenna expressed his appreciation of the candor and honesty evident at this meeting. He went on to point out that throughout his travels in Chicago, New York, Nashville, etc. everyone knows about the Council, that the CRH image is tremendous import, and really out of proportion to our actual operation. But with this awareness, he said, we will be faced with continual problems, tough decisions, pressures from inside and outside.
Evander Smith reported on the unsuccessful conclusion of the case of disorderly conduct (647A) against the two fellows that developed out of the Mardi Gras Ball. Mr. Smith indicated there were no grounds for appeal. He also said that he hoped to get Morris Lowenthal to represent them in the false arrest cases, which were filed as result of the first trial of the three attorneys and Mrs. Nancy May.
Bill Beardemphl reported on the Southern California ACLU subcommittee meeting he and Darryl Glied attended. He said the Southern California and Indiana branches of the ACLU were collaborating on exploration and research in the field of Sex and Civil Liberties, that he and Mr. Glied attended the Sex & Gender Committee meeting April 1 which was chaired by Vern L. Bulla. The discussion brought out such ethical and legal aspects as: laws against homosexuals are religious carry-overs, law should enter the area of sex only when children, force or public devency is involved, registration of sex offenders is a violation of civil rights, many licensing practices are questionable and that a documented report of cases would be necessary to establish evidence to this effect.
Mark Forrester said there was a need for more strategy. Guy Strait pointed out there were 123 homosexual arrests in the last two months as opposed to 54 the previous
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two months, that 27 cases were dismissed. Ted McIlvenna observed that there was still need for education, that demonstrations had become unpopular and after all juries were drawn from these people. He suggested personal letters be sent with copies of Church and the Homosexual booklet and the Brief of Injustices. Phyllis Leon said that CRH brochure was in Rev. Don Kuhn's hands for a cover, that the copy had been written. Guy Strait said CRH could create an issue by petitioning the Grand Jury to investigate the treatment of homosexuals pointing out the roust arrests, that bail bondsmen are making a fortune, that 650 1/2 and 440 are unconstitutional charges. Bob Walker said we should pursue our petition to the Justice Department.
The question of releasing the Brief of Injustices as an exclusive to the Chronicle was suggested - either through Donovan Bess or Charles Radebungh, the crime editor. Phyllis leon said the brief had been sent to all the ministers on the Board, that comments were in and final draft in process. Mark Forrester said he would like to have Rev. Neale Secor, Rev. Don Juhn, Guy Strait and Earl Moss serve on a committee with him to handle mail distribution.
Ted McIlvenna expressed need for a bookcase for the Council, which he intended to order.
The KRON-TV documentary was discussed and Don Kuhn's recommendation that the Council make an unqualified commendation of the program was rejected. In fact the CRH Board elected to make no comment whatsoever.
Hal Call announced another hearing on the pornography issue would be held at 7:30 p.m. April 27 in Sacramento. He said it would helpful is some of the ministers would be there, that homosexuality as a subject could be censored and that Council literature as well as homophile publications could be banned under stipulation of some of the bills pending before the state legislature.
Rev. Clay Colwell said that out of his correspondence with Los Angeles Ministers he had nine on record as desirous of a meeting with some CRH Board members to explore the possibility of setting up a Los Angeles Council. Tentative possible dates for a fully day and evening consultation suggested were Tuesday, June 1, and Wednesday, June 9.
Don Lucas said he and Fred Bird spoke to the Jr. Chamber of Commerce Committee of Government, a group of 16 members who are interested in the homosexual problem in San Francisco and who expect to draft a resolution in connection with the ACLU about police harassment.
Ted McIlvenna reported that the National Council of Churches had set up a new committee on the Church and the Homosexual in New York.
Don Lucas said that the Episcopal Diocese of California had authorized appointment of a committee of professional persons, clergy, and members of the homophile community to study in depth and come up with a recommended policy for the Diocese to adopt with reference to homosexuality.
Pres. McIlvenna said that B.J. Stiles has an issue of Motive all planned on homosexuality, but is having difficulty obtaining approval. He had requested that we send articles for a proposed booklet.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:25 p.m.
Del Martin, Secretary
Trustees present at meeting: Revs. Ted McIlvenna, Charles Lewis and Clay Colwell; Bob Walker, Bill Beardemphl, Phyllis Leon, Mark Forrester, Hal Call, Don Lucas, Del Martin, Guy Strait. One guest, Evander Smith, was also present.
Citation
“Minutes of CRH Board Meeting on April 22, 1965”, The Council on Religion and the Homosexual, LGBTQ Religious Archives Network, accessed December 23, 2024, https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/exhibits/show/crh/item/1799.