Page:Edward Prime-Stevenson - The Intersexes.djvu/261

 À-propos of the universality of philarrenic nature, we may observe in aristocratie Uranians two distinct expressions of personal tastes marked out as to homosexual connections. There is the sort of Uranian, himself a gentleman, who is attracted only to individuals of his own grade; desiring intercourse sexually only with a man of refinement of physique and of superior psychic individuality. The other class, however aristocratic, seeks always lower social types for partners; demands coarser physiques and uneducated and unrefined natures; this choice along with particular aversion to sexual intercourse with equals or superiors. Such aristocratic similisexuals may be called "philosyrphetics," or lovers of "the man of the mob," the voyou from the slum; and the preference often turns out a dangerous one—as we shall see later. But it is an idiom quite as marked as sexual dislike of women. We find the prince who would rather be embraced by a dragoon, the peer who prefers a butcher or a blacksmith, the cultivated leader of a social circle to whom only a common waiter, or a rough mechanic, appeal sexually. In such "philosyrphetic" Uranians—extremely numerous—just as among heterosexuals, we have a psychic problem illustrating the fact that like seeks unlike, and that sexual love is often an unity out of dissimilarity. But constant sexual association with lower intellectual or social homosexuals impairs the manly idealism, coarsens the nature, and destroys the original refinement of its victim. In homosexual love, as in heterosexual love and friendship, the man easily becomes what his company is; especially under circumstances so potent on the psychic essence.

A distinction is not always easily made between the sort of woman in high and responsible station—a queen, warrior or political leader—who is notably masculine in her intellect, her tastes,