Minutes of CRH Board Meeting on June 7, 1965
Dublin Core
Title
Minutes of CRH Board Meeting on June 7, 1965
Description
Phyllis Lyon & Del Martin Papers.
Source
Repository: GLBT Historical Society
Text Item Type Metadata
Text
Page 1:
Prior to the Board of Trustees meeting of the Council on Religion and the Homosexual which was officially called to order at 8:25 p.m. on June 7, 1965 in the Glide Foundation offices by Pres. Ted McIlvenna, there had been an informal discussion of a specific police brutality case involving minors which had been referred to the American Civil Liberties Union.
The discussion continued along the question of what the Council could do in such instances. It was suggested that all brutality cases be referred to a minister at once, that the Council maintain a list of doctors and photographers who could be called, that each case be carefully documented and reported directly to the mayor and the police chief, that an educational program be instituted by CRH throughout the homophile community by means of leaflets on what to do, such as get badge numbers and names, calling available professional help, etc. It was moved by Phyllis Leon and seconded by Del Martin that the matter be referred to the legal committee for further action.
The minutes were read and approved as corrected.
The treasurer reported the bank balance at the end of April $1744.43
May income 295.05
2039.48
May Disbursements 774.08
On Hand 1265.40
Rev. Mcilvenna said that CBS Reports would be releasing a TV documentary on homosexuality in September or October and that members of the CRH Board had already been filmed. He also said that John Poppy was working on an article for Look Magazine. The meeting in Southern California had resulted in two letters which indicated there would be a problem with the clergy there in setting up a Los Angeles Council. They are scared and not as enthusiastic. Bob Walker is going down on June 26th for an all day meeting to encourage and help in any way possible.
Canon Cromey reported that Ramparts Magazine was planning a special symposium on homosexuality for fall publication.
Ted McIlvenna said McGraw Hill wants a book on homosexuality and Christianity. Harper's magazine wants an article for winter. B. J. Stiles, editor of Motive, wants to publish a book if he can get enough articles. He wants views from the Council, both homophile and clergy, and from the medical profession, too. Rev. McIlvenna suggested the Council either take an ad in one of the church publications or that an article be submitted which refers to the "Church and the Homosexual" booklet or that we review copies to the various church magazines. Phyllis Leon said that Don Kuhn felt the booklet was difficult to review, that perhaps we would be better off to send news releases to the various church publications.
Canon Cromey offered to write to the Episcopalian magazines urging them to publicize the booklet. Jan Marinissen offered to do likewise with United Church publications. Rev. McIlvenna said he would send an item to Christian Advocate, and Rev. Cecil Williams agreed to handle Christian Century and Christianity in Crisis. Guy Strait suggested the booklet be placed on news stands. Miss Leon pointed out that Don Kuhn objected to a general news stand release. Canon Cromey said he would see it was placed with the Grace Cathedral Book Shop, and Rev. Williams said he would contact Cokesbury Book Store.
Rev. McIlvenna said he had had two important meetings coming up - one with the United Church in Chicago to try to bring about a broadened base of support and during the latter part of July in New York to see if we can get some foundations to underwrite part of our work. He said that neither the Church nor the foundations were jumping at the opportunity, and that he wants to force the issue to the Church. Canon Cromey said he had been pushing the Episcopal Diocese.
Page 2:
Guy Strait brought up his idea for a petition to the Congress based on redress of grievances in the first article of the Constitution. He said Frank Kameny of Washington Mattachine was writing a press release to be circulated across the country.
Bill Beardemphl reported that SIR, as result of the sale of raffle tickets, had paid $600 to Donaldson and Smith to apply equally to the accounts for each of the two fellows who had been arrested at the New Years' Ball. Each had been charged total fees of $600, $100 paid by the individual, $300 by SIR, with a balance of $200 each still due. Mark Forrester moved that the Council should make a concrete
demonstration of its responsibility and support by picking up the balance of the fees due. Don Lucas seconded. Del Martin conceded that this Board had assumed a responsibility when it decided to go ahead with the Ball in view of the police tactics prior to the Ball. Bob Walker pointed out that at a prior Board meeting Evander Smith had spoken of keeping a client-lawyer relationship and added that we
can dissipate the movement by trying to help each one here and there. Both Canon Cromey and Rev. McIlvenna suggested that the Council compromise and pay half of the remainder oft he fees.. Bob Cromey then offered a substitute motion that the Council pay $200 over a period of time. Bob Walker seconded. Motion passed.
Mark Forrester said that he was working on a mailing distribution of 2000 copies for the Brief of Injustices and requested authorization of $60 for this purpose. This was approved. There was discussion about publicity releases and a letter or foreword to be mailed with the brief. Rev & McIlvenna said he wanted to see and approve any such letter that went out in the name of the Council.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:40 p.m.
Del Martin
Secretary
Present: Jan, Ted, Cecil, Sasey, Lucas, Forrester, Leon, Strait, Walker, Martin, Beardemphl
Prior to the Board of Trustees meeting of the Council on Religion and the Homosexual which was officially called to order at 8:25 p.m. on June 7, 1965 in the Glide Foundation offices by Pres. Ted McIlvenna, there had been an informal discussion of a specific police brutality case involving minors which had been referred to the American Civil Liberties Union.
The discussion continued along the question of what the Council could do in such instances. It was suggested that all brutality cases be referred to a minister at once, that the Council maintain a list of doctors and photographers who could be called, that each case be carefully documented and reported directly to the mayor and the police chief, that an educational program be instituted by CRH throughout the homophile community by means of leaflets on what to do, such as get badge numbers and names, calling available professional help, etc. It was moved by Phyllis Leon and seconded by Del Martin that the matter be referred to the legal committee for further action.
The minutes were read and approved as corrected.
The treasurer reported the bank balance at the end of April $1744.43
May income 295.05
2039.48
May Disbursements 774.08
On Hand 1265.40
Rev. Mcilvenna said that CBS Reports would be releasing a TV documentary on homosexuality in September or October and that members of the CRH Board had already been filmed. He also said that John Poppy was working on an article for Look Magazine. The meeting in Southern California had resulted in two letters which indicated there would be a problem with the clergy there in setting up a Los Angeles Council. They are scared and not as enthusiastic. Bob Walker is going down on June 26th for an all day meeting to encourage and help in any way possible.
Canon Cromey reported that Ramparts Magazine was planning a special symposium on homosexuality for fall publication.
Ted McIlvenna said McGraw Hill wants a book on homosexuality and Christianity. Harper's magazine wants an article for winter. B. J. Stiles, editor of Motive, wants to publish a book if he can get enough articles. He wants views from the Council, both homophile and clergy, and from the medical profession, too. Rev. McIlvenna suggested the Council either take an ad in one of the church publications or that an article be submitted which refers to the "Church and the Homosexual" booklet or that we review copies to the various church magazines. Phyllis Leon said that Don Kuhn felt the booklet was difficult to review, that perhaps we would be better off to send news releases to the various church publications.
Canon Cromey offered to write to the Episcopalian magazines urging them to publicize the booklet. Jan Marinissen offered to do likewise with United Church publications. Rev. McIlvenna said he would send an item to Christian Advocate, and Rev. Cecil Williams agreed to handle Christian Century and Christianity in Crisis. Guy Strait suggested the booklet be placed on news stands. Miss Leon pointed out that Don Kuhn objected to a general news stand release. Canon Cromey said he would see it was placed with the Grace Cathedral Book Shop, and Rev. Williams said he would contact Cokesbury Book Store.
Rev. McIlvenna said he had had two important meetings coming up - one with the United Church in Chicago to try to bring about a broadened base of support and during the latter part of July in New York to see if we can get some foundations to underwrite part of our work. He said that neither the Church nor the foundations were jumping at the opportunity, and that he wants to force the issue to the Church. Canon Cromey said he had been pushing the Episcopal Diocese.
Page 2:
Guy Strait brought up his idea for a petition to the Congress based on redress of grievances in the first article of the Constitution. He said Frank Kameny of Washington Mattachine was writing a press release to be circulated across the country.
Bill Beardemphl reported that SIR, as result of the sale of raffle tickets, had paid $600 to Donaldson and Smith to apply equally to the accounts for each of the two fellows who had been arrested at the New Years' Ball. Each had been charged total fees of $600, $100 paid by the individual, $300 by SIR, with a balance of $200 each still due. Mark Forrester moved that the Council should make a concrete
demonstration of its responsibility and support by picking up the balance of the fees due. Don Lucas seconded. Del Martin conceded that this Board had assumed a responsibility when it decided to go ahead with the Ball in view of the police tactics prior to the Ball. Bob Walker pointed out that at a prior Board meeting Evander Smith had spoken of keeping a client-lawyer relationship and added that we
can dissipate the movement by trying to help each one here and there. Both Canon Cromey and Rev. McIlvenna suggested that the Council compromise and pay half of the remainder oft he fees.. Bob Cromey then offered a substitute motion that the Council pay $200 over a period of time. Bob Walker seconded. Motion passed.
Mark Forrester said that he was working on a mailing distribution of 2000 copies for the Brief of Injustices and requested authorization of $60 for this purpose. This was approved. There was discussion about publicity releases and a letter or foreword to be mailed with the brief. Rev & McIlvenna said he wanted to see and approve any such letter that went out in the name of the Council.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:40 p.m.
Del Martin
Secretary
Present: Jan, Ted, Cecil, Sasey, Lucas, Forrester, Leon, Strait, Walker, Martin, Beardemphl
Citation
“Minutes of CRH Board Meeting on June 7, 1965”, The Council on Religion and the Homosexual, LGBTQ Religious Archives Network, accessed May 18, 2024, https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/exhibits/show/crh/item/1801.