Ben Cable Cable Muse Network, LLC Phoenix, AZ 85067-3443
Ms.
Imbritt Wiese
November 1, 2008
Ms. Imbritt Wiese and Prof. Erwin J. Haeberle, It is my honor to present the enclosed Harry Benjamin, Alfred Kinsey letters and supporting documents to the Haeberle-Hirschfeld-Archiv at the Humboldt-Universität. The majority of the documents eloquently describe a period of human history when transsexuals were considered abnormal and the public responded with a circus like atmosphere; media hounded some, as if they were Frankenstein. Clandestine meetings with doctors were required in order to interview on the progress of the change in gender. Many of these women were unable to support themselves within traditional roles of employment; all of these issues and more surface within the letters between Dr. Harry Benjamin and Dr. Alfred Kinsey. The collection also includes one of Kinsey’s last known correspondences with a colleague before his death in 1956. The Benjamin/Kinsey letters give insight into the challenges of studying sexuality and sexual identity in the 1950’s. The decision to donate the materials to the Haeberle-Hirschfeld-Archiv
was not easy. The Kinsey Institute at I was entrusted with these documents over a decade ago by a reliable source. The intent was for me to report on the contents. The Benjamin/Kinsey stories from these letters are remarkable. This correspondence takes the reader beyond “Kinsey” the movie or any book. I have overextended my review period of these important documents. My study is complete and now my work can begin. Benjamin and Kinsey believed in the exchange of valid scientific
information, hopefully I am completing their legacies with this donation. I am
honored to present this collection to Prof. Erwin J. Haeberle and With great respect,
Ben Cable Editor and CEO Cable Muse Network, LLC CableMuse.com
Cc: Prof. Erwin J. Haeberle
Encl: Kinsey/Benjamin documents |