{"value"=>"<p>The Mattachine Society was formed in Los Angeles in 1950 by Henry (Harry) Hay, Chuck Rowland, and Bob Hull as a secret society. Its policy later changed into open membership. One of the first homosexual organizations in the United States, it was the first to be formed in what would become the homophile rights movement. The Mattachine Society grew into a national organization with chapters in, but not limited to, Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York, Washington, DC, and Chicago. In 1961, the national organization disbanded; however, local chapters were allowed to keep their names, if they so chose.</p> <p>Gittings first heard of the Mattachine Society from Donald Webster Cory, whom she contacted after reading his book <span class=\"title\">The Homosexual in America</span>. Through the Mattachine Society of San Francisco, Gittings was introduced to the homophile movement; the majority of materials here document Gittings and Lahusen's relationship with the Mattachine Societies of New York and Washington, DC.</p> <p>The Mattachine Society files are arranged alphabetically by chapter location, with the exception of presentations that were given at the Mattachine Forum.</p>"}