A Modified Harry Benjamin Scale

A Modified Version of the Harry Benjamin Sex Orientation Scale (S.O.S.) 
Modifications to reflect changes since initial publication, by Anne E. Curr, Ph.D., Sc.D. 

Sex and Gender Disorientation and Indecision

(Persons Born Genetic Males) 

List Of Types : 

• Type 1 - Transvestite - (Pseudo) 
• Type 2 - Transvestite - (Festishistic) 
• Type 3 - Transvestite - (True) 
• Type 4 - Transsexual - (Non-Surgical) 
• Type 5 - Transsexual - (Moderate Intensity) 
• Type 6 - Transsexual - (High Intensity) 

TYPE 0 
Normal sexual orientation and identification, heterosexual, bisexual or homosexual. The ideas of "dressing" or "sex change" are foreign and unpleasant. Includes the vast majority of all people. 

TYPE I - Tranvestite (Pseudo)

• Gender "feeling" : Masculine 
• Dressing Habits and Social Life : Normal male life. May get a "kick" from "dressing". Not truly TV. 
• Sex Object Choice and Sex Life : Usually heterosexual. Rare bisexual. Masturbation with fetish. Feels guilt. "Purges" and relapses. 
• Conversion Operation (SRS) : Not considered in reality. 
• Hormone Therapy/Estrogen Therapy : Not considered. / Not indicated. 
• Psychotherapy :Not wanted. Unnecessary. 
• Remarks : Only a sporadic interest in "dressing". Rarely has a female name when "dressed". 

TYPE II - Transvestite (Fetishistic)

• Gender "feeling" : Masculine 
• Dressing Habits and Social Life :Lives as a man. Dresses periotically or part time. Dresses under male clothes. 
• Sex Object Choice and Sex Life :Usually heterosexual. May be bisexual or homosexual. "Dressing" and "sex change" in masturbation fantasy mainly. 
• Conversion Operation (SRS) :May consider in fantasy. Rejected 
• Hormone Therapy/Estrogen Therapy : Rarely interested. / May help to reduce libido. 
• Psychotherapy : May be successful in favorable environment. 
• Remarks : May imitate male & female double personality with male and female names. 

TYPE III - Transvestite - True

• Gender "feeling" : Masculine (but with less conviction) 
• Dressing Habits and Social Life : "Dresses" constantly or as often as possible. May live and be accepted as a woman. May dress under male clothes. 
• Sex Object Choice and Sex Life : Heterosexual except when dressed. Dressing gives sexual satisfaction, relief of gender discomfort. Common to purge and relapse. 
• Conversion Operation (SRS) : Rejected but the idea is attractive. 
• Hormone Therapy/Estrogen Therapy : Attractive as an experiment. / Can be helpful as a diagnostic. 
• Psychotherapy : If attempted, almost never successful as to cure. 
• Remarks : May assume a double personality. Trend may be toward Transsexualism 

TYPE IV - Transsexual - Non-Surgigal

• Gender "feeling" : Uncertain Wavering between TV and TS. May reject "gender". 
• Dressing Habits and Social Life : "Dresses" often as possible with insufficient relief of gender discomfort. May live as man or as a woman. 
• Sex Object Choice and Sex Life : Libido low. Genrally asexual or autoerotic.May be bisexual. 
• Conversion Operation (SRS) : Attractive but not required. 
• Hormone Therapy/Estrogen Therapy : Needed for comfort & emotioal balance. 
• Psychotherapy : Only as guidance, most often refused and unsuccessful. 
• Remarks : Social life dependant on circumstances. Often identifies as "transgenderist". 

TYPE V - True Transsexual - Moderate Intensity

• Gender "feeling" : Feminine "Trapped" in a male body. 
• Dressing Habits and Social Life : Lives and works as a woman if possible. Insufficient relief from "dressing". 
• Sex Object Choice and Sex Life : Low libido. Asexual, autoerotic, or passive homosexual activity.May have been married and have children. 
• Conversion Operation (SRS) : Requested. 
• Hormone Therapy/Estrogen Therapy : Needed for a substitute for or preliminary to SRS operation. 
• Psychotherapy: Rejected. Unless as to cure. Permissive psychological guidance. 
• Remarks : Operation hoped for and worked for, often attained. 

TYPE VI - True Transsexual - High Intensity

• Gender "feeling" : Feminine. Total "psycho-sexual" inversion. 
• Dressing Habits and Social Life : Usually lives & works as a woman. No relief from "dressing". Gender discomfort intense. 
• Sex Object Choice and Sex Life : Intensly desires relations with normal male as a "female" if young. Later libido low. Heterosexual, bisexual or lesbian identification. May have been married and have children. 
• Conversion Operation (SRS) : Urgently requested and usually attained. 
• Hormone Therapy/Estrogen Therapy : Required for partial relief. 
• Psychotherapy : Psychological guidance or psychotherapy for symptomatic relief only. 
• Remarks : Despises her male sex organs. Strong danger of genital self-mutilation or even suicide if too long frustrated before SRS is attained 

Back to list of types 

Original version: Harry Benjamin © 1966, Julian press 
Modified version: Anne Curr © 1995, Basic Books 
Reposted by: Las Vegas TG Web