Presence of the Press

Advertisements in student newspapers explicitly discussed the presence (or lack thereof) of press expected at different session of NHC.

The National Homosexual Conference had a difficult relationship with the mainstream media. Although they advertised openly in student and gay liberation publications, from the outset of planning there was contention over whether popular newspapers, television, and radio should be involved. A possible ban, and what level of banning, are repeated issues at Conference Collective meetings, leading to many public advertisements explicitly promising that Speak Out and Workshops will be closed to the press. The exact reason the presence of the press would discourage “the free participation of all present” is often left undescribed.[1] It is assumed that the homosexual audience would implicitly recognise the threat of media attention, which would discourage their attendance unless actively mediated by such a ban.