Sex Orientation Scale (1966)
Harry Benjamin created the Sex Orientation Scale (SOS) to classify and understand various forms and subtypes of transvestism and transsexualism in biological males. It was a seven-point scale with three types of transvestism, three types of transsexualism, and one category for typical males. Benjamin's Scale references and uses the Kinsey scale in distinguishing between "true transsexualism" and "transvestism".
| Group | Type | Name | Kinsey scale | Conversion operation? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | I | Pseudo TV | 0-6 | Not considered in reality. |
| 1 | II | Fetishistic TV | 0-2 | Rejected. |
| 1 | III | True TV | 0-2 | Actually rejected, but idea can be attractive |
| 2 | IV | TS, Nonsurgical | 1-4 | Attractive but not requested or attraction not admitted. |
| 3 | V | TS, Moderate intensity | 4-6 | Requested. Usually indicated. |
| 3 | VI | TS, High intensity | 6 | Urgently requested and usually attained. Indicated. |
Benjamin noted, "It must be emphasized again that the remaining six types are not and never can be sharply separated." Benjamin added a caveat: "It has been the intention here to point out the possibility of several conceptions and classifications of the transvestitic and the transsexual phenomenon. Future studies and observations may decide which one is likely to come closest to the truth and in this way a possible understanding of the etiology may be gained."
Read more about this topic: Classification Of Transsexuals
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