168

At a meeting in a smokefilled room attended by
the mayor and his advisors, a district leader took
the floor. Without beating around the bush he said
flatly, “Let’s get the queers on our side.”

Faces turned ash white. Normally, the slightest
suggestion of homosexual backing was enough to
make politicians scamper for cover. The district
leader went on, “That was twenty years ago. There
weren’t so many queers then. And whether youadmit
it or not, they got power. Political machines ought to
cultivate them not ignore them. They can be used
both ways—to help a candidate, to kill another one.
My plan will do both.”

The men were desperate enough to listen attentively.

The district leader pointed out that the adminis-
tration, the city and the police had a most favorable
record where homosexuality was concerned. Several
gay bars had been flourishing for years. The city
was notable for its lack of disorder involving homo-
sexuals. “For the queers,” as he put it, “this is a
nice town to live in.” ;

“Now suppose,” he went on, “we was to spread a
rumor that our opponent proposes to close the place
up tighter than a drum. That the first thing he in-
tends doing is to close down the gay bars and the
drag joints. That the vice squad will be doubled,