[Old, in need of care and homosexual. Experiences of an patient and his nursing team].

As many other homosexuals of his generation, Mr. X had to lead to double life. Now over 80 years old, he continues to live according to its rules. His behaviour, his effeminate nature and his sexual reactions evoke feelings of disgust, anger and rejection-emotions that have a relieving effect on the team. Those members of the nursing staff that allow these emotions to arise assume that Mr. X makes use of nursing care as a means of sexual stimulation. Both patient and team suffer from this situation. On the other hand there are also moments of true affection and fascination. This qualitative individual study gives a methodological framework for research by using interpretative biography. The results show how social contempt, involuntary prejudices and mental hospitalism serve each other's purposes.