A semi-narrative account of four years of psychoanalysis, starting at age twenty-seven, demonstrates the progressive attainment of heterosexual functioning and object love in a patient who had been an obligatory homosexual of the preoedipal type since early adolescence. Crucial to these developments were the revival and working through of the following psychodynamic issues.

1The homosexual makes an identification with his partner in the sexual act. Homosexual contact promotes a transient, pseudo-strengthening of his own masculinity and identity which must constantly be repeated or a psychic 'decompensation' occurs. The homosexual seeks masculinity, not femininity, and knowledge of this unconscious motivation becomes a potent source of strength, reassurance, and determination for change in the direction of heterosexual functioning.