Die Insel
Reprinted
in One
Magazine, January
1953
Volume 1, Number 1
ONE
is a youngster compared to such veteran publications as "Die Insel”
which has flourished several years on the Continent.
The following translation of an article in the July issue 1952 reveals
clearly how similar are its purposes to ONE's and how international are all of
our aims. The style is heavy compared to some of our frivolous standards, but
you'll remember what it said long after you've forgotten today's
"easy" reading.
For an
upright man of good will it cannot be an entirely pleasurable experience to
reflect upon his responsibility for concern with the welfare of others as well
as his own. The welfare of citizens, however, is guaranteed through the
recognition of personal, inalienable freedom and justice for everyone. In a
democratic state these facts ought to be self-evident. But the social lag,
lacking insight into the reality of the human species, which has seized our
jurisprudence and the indolent adherence to archaic thought-patterns leads
even a democratic society toward the danger of stagnation and therewith the
denial of its own rights.
A
static democracy which cannot tolerate independent thought or the individual
pursuit of happiness on the part of its citizens its really a non-entity. A
democratic society has no alternative but to sanction continual criticism from
those who pledge allegiance to it.
When
the World Federation for the Rights of Man was brought into being in Bremen at
the end of 1951, it was the conviction of its founders that citizens there
were in need of the protection and legal defense such as a strong alliance
could provide whether the Government was more or less disposed to acknowledge
the fact or not. The World Federation for the Rights of Man saw as its obvious
duty first to take up its fight where the need appeared most urgent.
Thus
the struggle revolved at the outset chiefly around the need of the organized,
German homophile minority to set about a common goal with all determination.
Here was the right born with the individual to seek redress of his grievances
and yet here was a minority which, because of the manifestation of sensual
love between grown men was denied redress of its most painful grievances
because of laws proceeding from false assumptions, placed under 1egal
prohibition.
Here
all respect for freedom of the individual was again and again trod under foot,
and this in an intimate sphere which, like no other in the dominant society,
consists of individuals who belong to each other. Here violations committed
against humanity went unchallenged by the social conscience or the power of
the State. Here voices of important men of the people, the voices of reason,
tolerance and humanity went blithely unheard.
After the gruesome murders committed upon homophiles
during the era of the late Dictator, it has now become intolerable longer to
suffer banishment to prison and exposure to disgrace of men who have done
nothing but that which is the commandment of their nature. It is impossible
that we can remain silent any longer when these individuals, whose number in
West Germany alone runs into the millions, are denied the right to live
upright lives because of a narrow and obscurantist morality.
We
demand therefore:
Forward with
paragraphs 175 and 175a of the German penal code (by recognition of the
protection of German adolescents)!
Rehabilitation
of all who have violated this law!
We advance, further:
Elucidation of
the public intentions in the approach of the new medico-psychological and
philosophical anthropology!
Advancement of every
kind of scientific work and publicity which concerns itself with the battle
against proscription of the right of the homophile minority!
In order for male and female homophiles to stand
personally united, the International Order of Friendship was founded. With a
continuously increasing membership it will expand chiefly in the larger
cities, and in each chapter its members will offer good fellowship,
conversation, lodging, cultural programs and the opportunity for exchange of
ideas.
The
Order is always alert to hold itself aloof from undesirable elements. It
strives constantly to serve the allied groups of the foreign and domestic
friendship clubs to promote the establishment of a great, protective
organization.
Within
the framework of that which is possible for it the International Order of
Friendship will offer its members support against judicial persecution if it
can do so without compromising itself.
The
World Federation for the Rights of Man, affiliated with the International
Order of Friendship is to be journalistically represented by The Island.
Members
of good reputation who are adults and declare themselves prepared to serve can
be of immense help to our organization.
We
call upon all who are concerned:
Protect Yourself!
Close Ranks!
Make our Organization Strong!
Fight with us for your Rights and Your Freedom!
-World
Federation for the Rights of Man
affiliated
with the
International Order of Friendship
Translated
By
A. E. Galbraith
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