In England the law is exceptionally severe; yet, according to
the evidence of those who have an international acquaintance with these
matters, homosexuality is fully as prevalent as on the Continent; some
would say that it is more so. Much the same is true of the United States,
though there is less to be seen on the surface. It cannot, therefore, be
said that legislative enactments have very much influence on the
prevalence of homosexuality. The chief effect seems to be that the attempt
at suppression arouses the finer minds among sexual inverts to undertake
the enthusiastic defense of homosexuality, while coarser minds are
stimulated to cynical bravado.[273]
As regards the prevalence of homosexuality in the United States,
I may quote from a well-informed American correspondent:--
"The great prevalence of sexual inversion in American cities is
shown by the wide knowledge of its existence. Ninety-nine normal
men out of a hundred have been accosted on the streets by
inverts, or have among their acquaintances men whom they know to
be sexually inverted.
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