_In Dr. W. A. Evans’ column in the Minneapolis Journal, “A. G.
M.” writes, under the heading of the Artistic Sex_:
“I have a son, seventeen years old, who is and has been for
ten years, obsessed with a strange desire. He wants and feels
that he ought to be a girl. Ever since he was seven years old,
and probably before, although I had never noticed it, he has
thought of himself as a girl, acted like one, desired to be
regarded as a girl, and has, whenever he could worn girls’
clothing.
“His mother and I had a terrific struggle to allow his hair to
be cut like a boys’, when he was six or seven years old. He
withstood us until he was nearly ten, when, for the sake of
peace, he consented to have it bobbed. Up to that time he had
worn it in a great mass of curls, away down over his shoulders,
regardless of the ridicule of his playmates. He wore his hair
bobbed until two years ago, when he finally had it cut after a
fashion similar to other boys. This is just one incident, but
it may serve to show you something of his frame of mind.
“He attended a gymnasium class until he was fourteen, and he
invariably wore bloomers and a bow of ribbon in his hair.
“In fact, he is far more at home in girls’ clothing than he is
in boys’, for he has always insisted on wearing dresses and
gowns when in the house. His bedroom is a real girl’s boudoir,
with dressing table, powder puff, etc. He has as few boys’
clothes as he can get along with for going out. Playing with
dolls was his favorite amusement until he was about thirteen.
He is about five feet eleven and one-half inches tall, good
looking and possessed of a remarkably good mind. He never has
given any signs of mental deficiency, unless you term what I
have above described as mental deficiency, or rather insanity.
I would be grateful if you would tell me your opinion.”
_(Dr. Evans’ answer): This is a case of third or intermediate
sexism. You will find a fair amount of literature on the
subject. Such subjects are not in any sense feeble-minded. In
fact, many of them are exceptionally bright. As a rule the
stage, music or painting offers the best fields for men and
women of this group._
Wonder what our friends of the theatre think of Dr. Evans’ advice?
Probably they would feel the same way as the Army officials felt towards
certain chiefs of police who paroled the bums and the crooks on condition
they join the Army.
* * * * *