The Homosexuality of Men and Women - Hardcover

Hirschfeld, Magnus

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1573927058 ISBN 13: 9781573927055

Publisher: Prometheus Books, 2000

Synopsis

One of the founders of the scientific study of sex, Magnus Hirschfeld, M.D. (1868-1935), led the field in objective examinations of homosexuality, transvestism, and gender identity. The Homosexuality of Men and Women was designed to provide a unified, comprehensive description of homosexuality which would rid heterosexuals of homophobic prejudice and allow gays and lesbians to accept themselves and stop feeling isolated.
This encyclopedic study opens with a definition and a detailed biological diagnosis of orientation, including the childhood and adolescent phases. Hirschfeld addresses the physical, mental, and emotional life, while explaining the differences between friendship and same-sex love; genuine and false homosexuality; and the inborn nature of homosexuality and bisexuality. He also disputes the theory that homosexuality is treatable.
In the second half of the book, Hirschfeld looks at sociology: community life, bonding, roles in society, history, persecution, victimization, and the law. His documentation of gays in the military and the "new technology" of his day-such as the telephone and airplanes and their affect on the lives of homosexuals-offers farsighted observations that strongly parallel today's national debates and new developments.

About this title

Synopsis:

One of the founders of the scientific study of sex, Magnus Hirschfeld (1868-1935) led the field with his pioneering objective examinations of homosexuality, tranvestism, and gender identity. "The Homosexuality of Men and Women" was designed to provide a unified, comprehensive description of homosexuality while ridding heterosexuals of gay prejudice and allowing homosexuals to confront their isolation and accept themselves. Opening with a definition and a detailed biological discussion of sexual orientation, including the childhood and adolescent phases, Hirschfeld addresses the physical, mental, and emotional life of homosexuals while explaining the inborn nature of homosexuality and bisexuality. In the second half of the book, Hirschfeld looks at sociology, community life, bonding, roles in society, history, persecution, victimisation, and the law. His documentation of gays in the military and the 'new technology' of his day offers farsighted observations that strongly parallel today's national debates and new developments.

About the Author:

The translator of this lengthy work, originally in German, is Michael A. Lombardi-Nash, Ph.D. He is also the translator of Transvestites: The Erotic Drive to Cross-Dress, and The Riddle of "Man-Manly" Love: The Pioneering Work on Male Homosexuality.

About this edition

• Publisher: Prometheus Books
• Publication date: 2000
• ISBN 10: 1573927058
• ISBN 13: 9781573927055
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 1200