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Two monozygotic (identical) twin pairs discordant for gender identity

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Abstract

Two pairs of monozygotic twins discordant for gender identity are described. The first set are 8-year-old males, one of whom enjoys doll play, cross-dressing, and taking the role of a female in fantasy games. His brother shows no feminine behavior, enjoys sports, and is more masculine in gestures and speech. The second set are 24-year-old females, one of whom wants to undergo sex-change surgery to male status. Her cotwin is a feminine woman desirous of marrying and bearing children. Differential childhood experiences are described for the cotwins. These highlight environmental influences, which may contribute to variances in masculinity and femininity, when genetic influences are held relatively constant.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. UCLA School of Medicine, Los Angeles, California, USA

    Richard Green M.D. (Associate Professor of Psychiatry in Residence, Associated with the Gender Identity Research and Treatment Program) & Robert J. Stoller M.D.

Authors
  1. Richard Green M.D.
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  2. Robert J. Stoller M.D.
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Additional information

Reprint requests should be addressed to Dr. Green, 760 Westwood Plaza, Los Angeles, California 90024.

Research (by R.G.) supported by NIMH Research Scientist Development Award MH31-739 and Foundations' Fund for Research in Psychiatry Grant G69-471.

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Green, R., Stoller, R.J. Two monozygotic (identical) twin pairs discordant for gender identity. Arch Sex Behav 1, 321–327 (1971). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01638060

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01638060

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