Another controversial issue was the gender nonconformity. Perkins, who was allegedly a homosexual, and Hitchcock, who previously made "Rope", were both experienced in the film's transgressive subject matter. The viewer is unaware of the Bates' gender bending, until, at the end of the movie, it is revealed that Bates crossdresses as his mother during the attempted murder of Lila. At the station, Sam asks why Bates was dressed that way. The police officer, ignorant of Bates' split personality, bluntly utters that Bates is a transvestite. The psychiatrist corrects him and says, "Not exactly". He explains that Bates believes that he is his own mother when he dresses in her clothes.