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All of the Mattachine founders were affiliated with Communism and based the organization on the cell structure of the American Communist Party. As the Red Scare progressed the communist associations concerned some members and supporters, and Hay stepped down as the society's leader. Others who were similarly ousted were replaced by comparitavely conservative leaders.

The Mattachine Society was named after Mattacino (or the Anglicized Mattachino), a character in Italian theater. Mattacino was a kind of court jester, who would speak the truth to the king when nobody else would. The "mattachin" (from Arabic mutawajjihin—"mask-wearers") were originally Moorish (Hispano-Arab) sword-dancers who wore elaborate, colorful costumes and masks.

The Mattachine Society's goal was to liberate the oppressed homosexual community and provide a variety of services to the gay community, including referral services for legal and other professionals, and counselling. They also lobbied for the repeal of sodomy laws and other laws gay people considered discriminatory.

It was associated with other groups in ECHO ( East Coast Homophile Organizations ).

During the 1960s, Mattachine was one of the foremost gay rights groups in the United States. Following the Stonewall riotsThe Stonewall riots were a series of violent conflicts between homosexuals and police officers in New York City. The first night of rioting began on Friday, June 27, 1969 not long after 1:20 a. when police raided the Stonewall Inn, a gay bar in Greenwich of 1969For other uses, see Number 1969. For the movie, see 1969 (movie). Events January January 1 Australian media baron Rupert Murdoch purchases the largest selling British Sunday newspaper The News Of The World January 5 The Derry Riots leave over 100 people i, it became increasingly seen as stodgy and traditional, and not willing enough to be confrontational. It lost support, and fell prey to infighting. Eventually it closed due to impending bankruptcy, and was disbanded in January of 19871987 is a common year starting on Thursday. Events January January 1 Nunavut's capital changes it name to Iqaluit from Frobisher Bay. January 3 Aretha Franklin becomes the first woman inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. January 4 An Amtrak train.