Sexes: Role Reversal

Curbing transsexual surgery

Nearly 30 years ago, an ex-G.I. from The Bronx journeyed to Copenhagen to become blond Christine Jorgensen. Ever since, sex-change operations have been performed routinely as a cure for serious sexual identity problems. Males were treated with hormones that encouraged loss of facial hair and growth of breasts; subsequent surgery transformed the scrotum and penis into a functioning vagina. In females, hormones were given to develop masculine characteristics, followed by the implantation of an artificial phallus.

Last week the surgery came under a surprise attack. At Johns Hopkins Hospital in...

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