person is a male because he has a penis or other characteristic male secondary sex factors, for there are many cases on record where a person who appears to be quite masculine has many behavior patterns resembling a female and vice-versa. In fact we must bear in mind if we are to understand the nature of homosexuality that men and women are not as different as we have been led to believe; every male has certain female characteristics such as rudimentary breasts and a rudimentary uterus while females have a rudimentary penis called the clitoris. Furthermore some individuals have been found to have both male (testicles) and female (ovaries) sex glands. Such individuals are known as true hermaphrodites. This condition is extremely rare. More common is the condition known as intersex in which the penis is much smaller than the ordinary male, or the clitoris much larger resembling a small penis. Thus, at birth it is sometimes extremely difficult to tell if the child is male or female and only surgery may reveal the true state of affairs. Further complications arise, however, because the size of the sex organs do not necessarily determine the sex functions of an individual. For example, a man with very small penis may actually be potent as a male while another with a normal penis may have strong feminine drives, loathe being a man and playing the manly role. The latter type frequently finds the penis to be an annoyance so they beg for surgery to eliminate it so they may have a vagina and function as a woman. There are many cases of this on record: the most publicized being that of Christine Jorgensen. There are also cases of individuals who have been reared as women, who have had plastic surgery and hormone therapy so they may function as men. A Scotish woman doctor whose sex was changed

one

was able to marry a woman. This is sex reversal and is very complex.

If you wish to know more about the heredity mechanism mentioned above it would be well for you to get a book which deals with elementary genetics. Monk, Gregor Mendel worked out the laws of genetics from the peas he grew in his garden. The basic truth of these laws of genetics has been demonstrated beyond question. However, when we come to the laws governing genetics in the higher animals, especially in man, we find that there are many other factors at work, thus is it well to bear in mind that while there are definite laws of human heredity, man is much more complicated than a garden pea. The study of identical twins is very helpful in evaluating the roles of heredity and environment in producing homosexuals. Theoretically twins, having the same heredity makeup, should both be homosexual or both heterosexual; yet this is not anways true. Environmental factors get in the way.

An adequate study of the genetics of homosexuality has never been made. Your letter indicates a growing acceptance of homosexuality which has been considered so vile and loathsome that it has been difficult to obtain honest data regarding its existence in families. They would rather admit there were murderers in the family than admit the existance of a homosexual. Ignorance about homosexuality has continued because many who have been homosexual were unaware of its presence and became mentally ill, developed alchoholism and other neurotic symtoms because they did not know how to handle their condition. We are all fortunate to be living in a time in which there is an ever growing understanding of the problem.

I would appreciate it if those who read this column would send us information about their own hereditary factors. Sincerely, Dr. Blanche

28