Trivia: Homosexuality was Diagnosed by the American Psychiatric Association as a Mental Illness Until 1973

I can see how someone with "...persistent and marked distress about sexual orientation" would need a diagnosis. If someones sexual orientation causes them distress, then a therapist would work with the client to help them function in a society that looks harshly on them.

Basically, a lot of sexual "disorders" are based on how much distress they cause.

Maybe they were right! Any homos that I have met seem to have a slight case of mental retardation.

Nice trolling Onyxium.

Anyhow, this was news in 1973. Not too topical. :P

Not surprising...

It was VOTED out of the DSM (the Diagnostics and Statistics Manual - the psych bible) just like all the other "mental illnesses" are voted in.

Not even one "mental illness" in that book is based on scientific fact - EVERY SINGLE ENTRY is VOTED into it.

My favorite part is in the entry for both ADD and ADHD: "(ADD or ADHD) cannot be proven to exist in a laboratory condition." DSM v4 Nurses edition.

Wll said, PeteRepeat.

It's remarkable that certain, ugly comments are still being made about gay men and women in 2008.

If gay men and women are called "retarded", one must then remember the old axiom: "It takes one to know one."

Kinda makes me wonder what other "disorders" are STILL in the DSM-IV that we'll be shuddering at in 20-30 years wondering how anybody could possibly have been so ignorant. I certainly don't deny that some people do need psychological help, but lord, that line between "not like the majority" and "psychologically deviant" seems awfully arbitrary and fuzzy at times ...

gays dont reproduce. seems to be a disorder to me. but im not a doctor.

Thank god you're not a doctor, as an adult who hasn't chosen to "reproduce" I'd really hate to fall into your clutches ...

Dan is right.

The DSM is not based on science; it is nothing more than a bunch of personality traits that are classified solely for billing purposes.

Psychiatrists have been running around pretending to be medical doctors and the DSM is just another tool to try make them look legitimate.

If someone has a persistent and marked distress about anything in their life, it would be a good idea to talk it over with someone. Although, we do seem to over-therapize things. Maybe, we should all just take up Scientology.

And Onyxium, maybe you should be cruising for sex near universities - you'll meet some smart partners there.

Some have said that homosexuality is a natural occurrence which stems from the mother's perception of overcrowding. In fact, I think there was a study that seemed to indicate that the second child was more likely to be gay than the first. Seems logical enough to me.

@ Dr. Lao: If the old axiom 'takes one to know one' is true, wouldn't mental health experts / teachers / etc., need to be retarded to be able to recognize a patient or pupil with learning difficulties? ;)

Take in a gay parade and tell me it isn'e a mental disorder.

It's a simple fact -- a fact that cannot be changed (by brain-washing, denial, whining, etc.) -- that "homosexuality" [now known as SSAD = Same-Sex Attraction Disorder] is a psychosexual abnormality.

It is a disorder suffered by just 1 or 2% of the population -- not the (now multiple-times debunked) 10% figure, invented in the 1940s or 1950s. It is not a normal condition, as millennia of human society's have always known. No amount of propaganda (fueled by vast sums of cash) can change the facts or deceive the majority of the populace. Almost everyone knows, in their "heart of hearts," that people who have SSAD are not normal. And almost every adult who has the chance to read about the degrading sexual practices of SSAD sufferers comes away with an absolute certainty that SSAD is truly a psychological abnormality.

With every passing year, the evidence grows (collected by therapists) that these poor people are suffering from a disorder that they didn't choose, don't genuinely enjoy, and don't really want to keep. To overcome their great degree of (appropriate) shame, some of them desperately seek societal approval, instead of seeking the "reparative therapy" that is available. Over the past two decades, it has become crystal clear to the best physicians in the field that the disorder is caused by events early in the patient's life -- partly events that have happened to him/her and partly the absence of events that should have happened (involving parents, especially fathers).

Contrary to some widespread propaganda, there has never been any proof that a genetic component is involved. It is possible, however, that scientists may some day discover a gene that "predisposes" a person (i.e., makes more likely) to slip into this psychological problem -- just as it is believed that there is a gene that makes people of certain ethnic origins to be more likely to be an alcoholic. The mere presence of such genes (related to SSAD or alcoholism) does not make these improper behaviors "normal." Rather, they are disorders to be avoided/cured to the extent possible.

Thank God, the therapists are having some (though not yet 100%) success in helping SSAD sufferers to be cured. Some have even become legitimately married (to people of the opposite sex) and have become parents.

People who suffer from SSAD should be treated with complete dignity and should not be victims of unjust discrimination [just discrimination -- yes, but not UNjust discrimination]. An example of "just discrimination" is keeping men with SSAD away from certain situations with boys.

I meant to add other examples of "just discrimination" -- namely the following legal prohibitions:
-- prohibiting cohabiting couples with SSAD to adopt children whom they will raise improperly (and potentially abuse sexually);
-- prohibiting women with SSAD to be artificially inseminated, so that they can "mother" children whom they will raise improperly;
-- prohibiting people with SSAD to lead boy/girl scout groups (for obvious reasons).

"Some have said that homosexuality is a natural occurrence..."

Down's Syndrome is a natural occurrence too.

Just read your post, John G... very well put. This is exactly how I feel about homosexuality. People don't "choose" to be homosexual, it's a disorder that should be treated, and some genes may predispose people to the disorder.

John G, thank you for an intelligent post that gets to the root of the matter. Those of us who don't accept the recent notions of homosexuality as "normal" are frequently characterized as brutish troglodytes.

Ignoring any moral or religious convictions, there are plenty of reasons to treat homosexuality as it really is: a sexual disorder. For instance, a homosexual male should not be in potentially compromising situations with young boys for the same reason a male should not be in those situations with girls. Common sense ideas like this are treated as bigotry (largely by those on the political far left).

People would be far better off if we try to adapt their problems to the world, rather than trying to adapt the world to their problems.

Wait, the gay agenda has vast sums of cash? Why aren't I seeing any of that dough? Do I have to fill out a form?

Psychiatry is ideology, not a medial science. Psychiatry has not produced a single biological marker for a single so-called mental illness. I am an advocate of diversity and human potential, psychiatrists are nothing more than social control agents, stifling the growth of humanity with the use of narrow behavioral gate post they wish to force every human through.

Given all that has happened since 1973 in the Gay community it is difficult to imagine that it was once thought to be a mental illness.

Whatever happened to all the "leave politics out of it," "no politics in Neatorama" whining?

It is astounding to me that so many ill-informed, closed-minded people read Neatorama. Or maybe only the nuts need to spew their garbage about homosexuality. I'm straight, BTW, but have gay and lesbian friends. I'm sorry there are still so many troglodytes around.

Wow. Well Im gay and I have absolutely no desire to be improper with children and also I seem to function just fine in your "normal" society. In fact, if you ever saw me you wouldnt even know I was gay. But I do want to thank you for the ignorant statements...you just go to show everyone what "troglodytes" you really are.

Oh and btw i do "genuinely enjoy" being gay, but thanks for your concern...

Wow! Perhaps the research should be done on the percentage of "heterosexual" persons are responsible for sexual abuse of children. Are priests gay? Mothers and Fathers by the thousands who abuse their children both sexually, physically and emotionally are they gay? Last time I checked, the majority of convicted sex offenders are heterosexual men.
I read in the papers and see it on the news all the time..."Homosexual predator preying on little boys!" No, actually as a Police Officer, I have never encountered a child abused by a "homosexual." On the contrary, Fathers Mothers, Step fathers and the like are responsible for almost every case of abuse to their children or someone else's children.
Yes, those wicked Homos who work next to you, live next to you, baby sit your children and protect your communities, the ones you don't know about who affect your everyday life...they are all sick!!!! Give me a break!
Of course I realize all of you are so very perfect emotionally and psychiatrically that you have nothing better to do than re-direct your frustrations toward others. Take a look at your own self, I'm sure you will find you are far from the perfect human being you think you are.
I am regular person, a daughter, a sister, an aunt and a Police Officer. I am also a lesbian, I do not put my personal life out for everyone to know, and I don't care to know about anyone else's personal life gay or straight.
The term for your disorder is called "homophobia" the fear of your own homosexual desires and a fear of something you don't understand.
Homosexuality is not a choice, it is not a "disorder" it is a simple fact of life. So live your lives in fear of the "homosexuals" and please note how many times your life is disrupted by one of these monsters!
Then take notice to the wide array of "disorders" which cause "heterosexual" persons to commit heinous acts everyday.
I am very sad for each of you who choose to hate based on ignorance.

Psssst...The present DSM-IV also DOES NOT list homosexuality as a mental disorder, but still has "Sexual Disorder Not Otherwise Specified" as a diagnosis for someone with "…persistent and marked DISTRESS about sexual orientation." (Source: Healthieryou.com, Photo: Bonkersinstitute.org)

Holy crap John G! I believe this was directed toward you! You obviously have distress about sexual orientation! And what is that? Ohhhhh it DOES NOT list homosexuality as a mental disorder...that's what I thought! Because I'm not distressed about my sexual orientation...are you?

Good for you, "are you kidding me".

I've met all kinds of homosexuals, and they're not all flaming queens or butch dykes. They hail from every race, every social background, and every religion. Many of them seem perfectly normal - that's how so many of the older ones have stayed hidden for so long.

As for the comment about gay parades being proof of a mental disorder... what about Carneval, Mardi Gras in New Orleans, tha Santa Claus Parade, The Running of the Bulls, or any religious procession? Do we take those events as indicative of the mental stability of an entire group of people? Of course not - not all Brazilians are into Carneval, not all Spanish people are crazy enough to run with bulls.

Gay people are not predisposed to be sexual predators any more than heterosexuals. In fact, I would guess that forcing men to marry women just because it looks more normal is why so many of them turn out so messed up years later, and why some could start molesting. I think you'd rather have an openly gay teacher for your kids than one sexually repressed by society.

Just like pre 1973 when gay and lesbians were forcefully treated, today there are still plenty of people that are being forcefully treated for being different to psychiatry's deemed norm. I hope gay and lesbian movement will stay active in the human rights fight and help get many more so-called disorders removed from the DSM.

I think you should know the person chiefly responsible for removing the disorder from the DSM-IV is currently trying to re-institute it in the next Diagnostic. Ironic, isn't it?

There are tons of controversy and criticism of the DSM's of the past. One, it is too much like a 'Chinese take-out menu' when in reality, disorders aren't so clear cut. Secondly, the DSM in each iteration has generated tons more disorders than previously existed, some incontrovertibly wrong, like homosexuality, and others that are questionable, like ADD.

Even though the current research suggest PTSD is not a disorder, but a *syndrome*, the DSM still persists in its dogmatic ways.

I'm not anti-psychology or anti-DSM, and I understand that the field of psychology is still in its infancy. Don't put the DSM up on a pedastal because history has shown they are not infallible, and the dust hasn't settled in the world of mental health.

Yeah, I'm suprised at some of the (frankly) stupid comments some people have about the 'wrongness' of homosexuality. These posts (like John G's) are just hate clothed in a scientific-sounding verbage.

The 'facts' mentioned being completely incorrect (you can't just say "contrary to widespread propaganda" and expect to be believed without evidence), and the *thanking of God* (how scientific) in the post, are quite telling...

I have to wonder, do people honestly think this way, or is this just trolling? I hope it's the latter, for humanities sake.

So, a person's sexual orientation is a psychological condition if it causes them distress. By the same reasoning, homophobia is most obviously also a psychological condition as someone else's sexual orientation causes the patient distress.

i'm gay and i'm very happy. i wouldnt change my orientation for all the world (if i could).

to those people who consistently ignore science and focus only on their religious beliefs, i can prove homosexuality is genetic--there are gay animals! please tell me how animals can be raised in such a way that could turn them gay. did that mother ewe clothe her baby ram in a dress? gimme a break! also by saying this, you imply that you can turn gay. John G, are you saying that you can turn yourself into a homosexual? grow up and focus on the REAL problems in this world!!

These days, science does actually play a large role in what should and shouldn't go into the DSM-IV. The DSM-IV, which was developed in 1994 is far more based on empirical research that was commissioned to find why certain things should go into the DSM.
Oh, and I remember you Terry, how is Xenu treating you?

Jon G. that was the most irresponsible, grotesque batch of redefining scientific terms to mask one's own fear and suit an agenda I've ever seen. Statistically, most molesters are straight. Most child abusers, period, are straight. This is documented fact. I think you are the one who needs therapy. Everyone fears things they different from themselves sometimes; most of us try to grasp some semblance of self awareness so that we can identify irrational fear from rational fear. Well, some of us do anyway.

Please get help.

Sincerely,

A straight woman who will never reproduce (for the other more traditional troll in the thread).

Society is moving in a direction to destroy many of the ideas that keep us from commiting immoral acts. "Open" homosexuality leads to promiscuity, and thus leads to more and more mental problems. A married man who continues to have affairs will find his life spiral out of control. If we continue to expand our tolerance for sexual and other deviations from what we have always held to be moral and correct, we will find ourselves in a horrible place. Just like we have traffic laws for driving a car, we have always had laws to guide us in being moral. This does not mean you will never have someone that deviates; people take red lights sometimes in traffic, but we cannot change the laws so that people can take the red light anytime they feel the need to.