Allies and Persecutors:

Usine Magus Hirschfeld (1868-1935) and his Zwishchenstufentheorie (theory of inter-sexual stages) as an example, the problems raised for homosexuals by etiological research into homosexuality are scrutinized. Hirschfeld, one of the most influential sex researchers working in the first part of the century, fully intended his biological theory to support his campaign on behalf of homosexuals' rights. However, the Zwichchenstufen-theorie and modern variations of it, such as the ideas of endocrinologist, Gunter Dorner, have been converted into strategies for preventing or curing homosexuality. From an historical point of view, it becomes clear that, in a society hostile to homosexuals, the results gained from research into the causes of homosexuality can be used against homosexuals and, in fact, have been.