The Intermediate Sex: A Study of Some Transitional Types of Men and WomenCarpenter, Edward
General
The Intermediate Sex: A Study of Some Transitional Types of Men and Women
Carpenter, Edward
Homosexuality; Sex
It would seem probable that the attachment of such an one is of a tender
and profound character; indeed, it is possible that in this class of men
we have the love sentiment in one of its most perfect forms--a form in
which from the necessities of the situation the sensuous element, though
present, is exquisitely subordinated to the spiritual. Says one writer
on this subject, a Swiss, “Happy indeed is that man who has won a real
Urning for his friend--he walks on roses, without ever having to fear the
thorns”; and he adds, “Can there ever be a more perfect sick-nurse than
an Urning?” And though these are _ex parte_ utterances, we may believe
that there is an appreciable grain of truth in them. Another writer,
quoted by De Joux, speaks to somewhat the same effect, and may perhaps be
received in a similar spirit. “We form,” he says, “a peculiar aristocracy
of modest spirits, of good and refined habit, and in many masculine
circles are the representatives of the higher mental and artistic
element. In us dreamers and enthusiasts lies the continual counterpoise
to the sheer masculine portion of society--inclining, as it always does,
to mere restless greed of gain and material sensual pleasures.”
That men of this kind despise women, though a not uncommon belief, is
one which hardly appears to be justified. Indeed, though naturally not
inclined to “fall in love” in this direction, such men are by their
nature drawn rather near to women, and it would seem that they often feel
a singular appreciation and understanding of the emotional needs and
destinies of the other sex, leading in many cases to a genuine though
what is called ‘Platonic’ friendship. There is little doubt that they
are often instinctively sought after by women, who, without suspecting
the real cause, are conscious of a sympathetic chord in the homogenic
which they miss in the normal man. To quote De Joux once more: “It would
be a mistake to suppose that all Urnings must be woman-haters. Quite the
contrary. They are not seldom the faithfulest friends, the truest allies,
and most convinced defenders of women.”
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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