The sociological aspects of homosexuality.

President of the Society THE prohibition and punishment of active homosexuality in men is upheld by many; others believe that it should be permitted and only penalized in certain circumstances. All will agree, however, that it is a matter which has social and religious as well as medico-legal implications. It may be misleading to compare homosexuality in the two sexes. I cannot remember a case in which murder or blackmail was related to homosexuality in women, although other disasters sometimes occur. . In men, the activity is more overt and aggressive; murder as well as suicide not infrequently result. The male homosexual is said to be a likely subject for blackmail because his actions are criminal. But perhaps this is only a partial truth, since disreputable behaviour which is not criminal also attracts the blackmailer. The Criminal Statistics .for 1938 show that during the year there were 417 convictions for committing, or attempting to commit, unnatural offences, and 164 for indecency with males. The figures are no guide to the incidence of male homosexuality in general, but there can be no doubt that it is considerable.