In 1981, the testimony collected by Jean-Pierre Joecker (director and founder of the gay magazine "Masques") was published anonymously in a special edition of the French translation of the play "Bent" by Martin Sherman. In April 1982, in response to anti-gay declarations and actions by Léon Elchinger, the Bishop of Strasbourg, Seel spoke publicly and wrote an open letter to the Bishop on 18 November. He simultaneously circulated the text to his family. The letter was published in "Gai Pied Hebdo" No 47 on 11 December. At the same time, he started the official process of getting compensation from the state.