might have been made. They make vague references to their "observations and studies," but give no specifics as to what observations, what studies, on whom, how many, where, under what conditions, etc. The book is loaded with overgeneralizations, for instance, "most (queens) seldom read a book except for the marginal paperback novel of semi-pornographic nature. Motives of various

groups are outlined in expansive fantasies without benefit of evidence.

There is great overlap in content with Cory's first book, but new subjects include the "cult of the butch faggot," the "hustlers," and venereal disease. Possible causes of the apparent increased incidence of venereal infection among homosexuals are outlined, and a sensible program aimed at helping to solve this problem is suggested. Twelve pages are consumed reproducing a letter from a young man who had contracted syphilis, the only significant point being his report of a physician's advice that penicillin taken prior to contact would prevent infection. The implication is given that by not dispensing such information, public health agencies are conspiring to prevent enjoyment of sex. It is irresponsible to print such a letter with no verification or clarification. Apparently the armed forces have found penicillin useful in preventing venereal infection under certain controlled conditions, but there are hazards in its indiscriminate use. One danger is that penicillin taken as a preventive (not the same as that used in treatment) may mask the symptoms of syphilis so that infected individuals go undetected and untreated.

An entire chapter is devoted to the question of whether homosexuals are more creative than heterosexuals. It is obvious that some, such as da Vinci, are highly creative no matter how the term is used; but it is equal-

ly clear that other homosexuals, the feeble-minded, are uncreative in every sense of the word. And feebleminded homosexuals are no rarity, though less publicized than Proust. It might aid in keeping matters more in perspective if it were remembered that homosexuality appears in all kinds of people.

A most severe shortcoming of this book is the biased handling of the crucially important but unsettled question of the origin of homosexuality. Cory and LeRoy state it is "almost universally agreed that this is a psychogenic development and not an inborn trait," and that "all inverts owe their exclusive sexual preference to a pathological situation based on fear, anxiety, or insecurity which occurred in early childhood or early adolescence. . . ." As a matter of fact, there is no such near agreement, and there is very little supporting evidence and no proof for the causal conditions outlined. Poor parental relationships, fears, traumatic childhood episodes, etc., are widespread, and are bound to appear in the backgrounds of some homosexuals, just as they occur in the histories of heterosexuals. That does not mean such experiences "cause" homosexuality any more than they cause heterosexuality.

Cory and LeRoy have every right to adhere to any explanatory formulation they wish, but they have an obligation to acknowledge the nature of the evidence favoring their position. Furthermore, they deride other explanations, in particular the congenital anomaly concept, and state categorically that the difference in incidence of homosexuality among males and females does not suggest inborn deviancy. Actually such a sex difference is strongly suggestive, though not proof, of an inborn factor. Non-sexual characteristics which appear with greater frequency in one

7