A Clinical Type of Male Homosexuality

I should like, in this paper, to describe a case history characteristic of a considerable number of practising homosexuals in our society; and because this seems to be a special type of homosexual behaviour I have left out of consideration the forms from which it differs.

The patient, T, is 29 years old. Previously he had had an analysis in France which lasted six months, but he considered that this was a failure and wished to continue analysis in his native country. The reasons for doing so were his constant depression and inability to continue his studies in the history of art. He could not establish permanent relationships with people, nor could he fall in love with girls; and with men he could only rarely do so, and then only for very brief periods. He experienced, however, strong physical attraction for men, with whom he had regular homosexual contacts. There was no sexual attraction towards girls, though he was engaged for a short time at the age of twenty-three. This latter relationship was a platonic love with very little or no sexual attraction, and he regarded the girl as his equal. She also was said to be homosexual, although, like so many women, she was in love with him; and subsequently she committed suicide. After that T had homosexual contacts exclusively, usually with anyone who happened to be about and of a very primitive physical nature. He did not wish the analysis to free him from his homosexuality as it provided him with at least some kind of relationship with his fellow men.

T's first name was unusual, like 'Trajan', the name fitting well his personality and his social background. He was an elegant, stylish, youthful-looking man, immaculately dressed but without ostentation. He had excellent manners and looked distinguished, but with a cool and reserved attitude. He was definitely not arrogant or affected, and one could imagine a friend of Oscar Wilde with 'spleen' to be like him. T was well educated, widely travelled and spo