Mattachine Society of New York

The Mattachine Society, Inc. of New York was founded in New York City in 1955 for the purpose of educating the public in all aspects of homosexuality, for assisting individual gays in coping with problems related to their homosexuality, and for obtaining full civil and social rights for homosexuals.

The MSNY was one of several offshoots of the Mattachine Society founded in Los Angeles in 1951. During the 1960s, its most active period, it was a leader in the struggle to promote the cause of gay rights through education and other peaceful means, eschewing the more aggressive tactics adopted by the gay liberation movement during the 1970s. The MSNY maintained a referral and counselling service for gays, sponsored discussion groups, canvassed candidates for public office and employers on their attitudes towards gays, and published the EASTERN MATTACHINE MAGAZINE, and the NEW YORK MATTACHINE NEWSLETTER. It lobbied for the repeal of laws discriminating against gays in housing, employment and assembly, and the suppression of police harassment and entrapment. With other civic action groups it agitated successfully for a civilian complaint review board to monitor allegations of police misconduct. Faced with the loss of support for its reformist philosophy during the 1970s and increasing financial difficulties the MSNY was disbanded in 1987.

From the description of Mattachine Society, Inc. of New York Records, 1951-1976. (New York Public Library). WorldCat record id: 144652269

The Mattachine Society, Inc. of New York was founded in New York City in 1955 for the purpose of educating the public in all aspects of homosexuality, for assisting individual gays in coping with problems related to their homosexuality, and for obtaining full civil and social rights for homosexuals.

The MSNY was one of several offshoots of the Mattachine Society founded in Los Angeles in 1951. During the 1960s, its most active period, it was a leader in the struggle to promote the cause of gay rights through education and other peaceful means, eschewing the more aggressive tactics adopted by the gay liberation movement during the 1970s. The MSNY maintained a referral and counselling service for gays, sponsored discussion groups, canvassed candidates for public office and employers on their attitudes towards gays, and published the EASTERN MATTACHINE MAGAZINE, and the NEW YORK MATTACHINE NEWSLETTER. It lobbied for the repeal of laws discriminating against gays in housing, employment and assembly, and the suppression of police harassment and entrapment. With other civic action groups it agitated successfully for a civilian complaint review board to monitor allegations of police misconduct. Faced with the loss of support for its reformist philosophy during the 1970s and increasing financial difficulties the MSNY was disbanded in 1987.

From the guide to the Mattachine Society, Inc. of New York Records, 1951-1976, (The New York Public Library. Manuscripts and Archives Division.)