Cases 12 and 13.-L, aged 21, says that he has never had any heterosexual desires. Mesomorphic in physical type, he is virile in appearance and has larger than average genitalia; puberty was early. From childhood he has thought of himself as being female; many of his interests are feminine, and he says that, if he were offered the opportunity of becoming a "real woman", he would accept without hesitation. At the age of about 10 he was friendly with a small girl of the same age. Their favourite game was to re-enact the film exploits of Tarzan and Jane, but he insisted upon being Jane whilst the small girl had to be Tarzan. He belonged to an average happy family, with normal brothers and sisters; no divorce, or evidence of an emotionally disturbed background. His work has now taken him away from his home town.
At the age of 13 he was introduced to mutual masturbation by a middle-aged man. I have discussed this incident with him at some length and he is emphatic that the experience did not determine his sexual orientation of which, he says, he was already aware. He admits that he probably encouraged the incident, says he was not in the least frightened or upset by it, and anyway knew what to expect. "I still write to the old boy —well, a card at Christmas anyway." From the age of about 16 he has had many homosexual partners of his own age, but most of these affairs have been unsatisfactory. He says that he does not want to be promiscuous and that “ sex without affection is wrong
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A little over a year ago he formed an intense emotional attachment to M, an older man (38) with whom he works and who-though homosexual-at first showed little interest in him. M does not resemble at all the conventional picture of a homosexual-quiet, masculine manner, well built, a pipesmoking beer-drinking type. These two have now shared a flat for nearly a year, with L doing all the housekeeping. M has undoubtedly become very fond of his young friend, whilst L idolises his partner. L is a conscientious and hard worker who is very popular with the rest of the staff, both men and women, and he has been promoted twice with rises in salary during the past year.
Case 14.-I first met N, now 45, about fifteen years ago when he was a sergeant in the army-an ordinary, friendly, not very mattachine REVIEW
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intelligent, but very likeable person-whom I had reason to believe was completely homosexual in his habits, though there were no outward signs. After the war he joined a friend (not homosexual, but tolerant in outlook) in a retail business which is now prospering.
I have known for some years that, though he is still a practising homosexual, he wished to get married. The reasons were, I believe, that he was lonely and wanted companionship, that he wanted marriage as a camouflage for his reputation, and because he believed that sooner or later the alternative would be a police prosecution. Three years ago he married a woman he has known for many years, aged about 40, a comfortable, homely, placid person. There is no doubt that he is trying to be a good husband, but it is equally clear that he is no less homosexually inclined than he was. He still occasionally behaves homosexually if temptation and suitable opportunity offer. Afterwards he is very remorseful. When I asked how the sexual side of his marriage was going, he replied, rather guardedly, "Oh, all right," then changed the subject. I hear that his wife is shortly going on a long visit to her family. I hope that this is not a prelude to a breakup of the marriage.
Case 15.-O, now 48, a man of independent means, widely travelled, had always been predominantly, but not exclusively, homosexual in his habits. In his late thirties he met a rather unusual, attractive, intelligent young actress, cosmopolitan in outlook like himself. They became very fond of each other and finally married. For five years all went well; they shared many interests in common, travelled extensively, and seemed to be happy together. Then the break came-I do not know the details. They still correspond in a friendly way, but live in different countries. There were no children and she has not remarried.
He has now lived with a man of 28 for several years. Neither O nor his friend is promiscuous and they do not mix in any homosexual coterie. O said to me recently "This is the only way I can live. The other was an unnatural existence for me and I could not keep it up any longer."
Case 16.-P is a bachelor now in his mid-80s. He comes from a socially prominent and prosperous family. During his
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