I would like to begin by expressing my appreciation to the editors of this important new journal for the opportunity to air my own struggles with the complex theoretical and clinical issues concerning gender and sexual orientation, and to have those views engaged by two of the most important and provocative recent contributors to psychoanalytic thinking in these areas.

In some ways, these two commentaries make a fitting pair, because what bothers Schwartz about my paper, its integrative intent, is precisely what Mayer has found most meaningful to her. So, I am tempted to refer the reader of Schwartz's critique to Mayer's paper for an answer. However, the hardball Schwartz has sent my way is worth considering head-on.