Homosexuality Declassified As Mental Illness (December 15, 1973)

A landmark event in gay history occurred on December 15, 1973 when the American Psychiatric Association declassified homosexuality as a mental disorder in its Diagnostic & Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, aka DSM.  I was 16 at the time and not yet aware of my sexual orientation so I didn't know what it was like to live with this stigma, but it could hardly have been good for self esteem - and probably contributed to mental health problems.  However, despite this step forward society would still find plenty of ways to continue the stigmatization of gay men and lesbians.  But wave upon wave of activism by homosexuals on multiple fronts (assisted by straight supporters) has eroded and broken down a multitude of barriers.

 

To appease those in the mental health profession who disagreed with this declassification, a new disorder was classified in 1980 - Ego Dystonic Homosexuality.  Individuals suffering from this disorder were homosexuals who wished their sexual orientation was different (the way some in society still would like us to feel).  It would be de-listed in 1986.

 

Finally, in 2006 the Pentagon announced that it no longer deemed homosexuality a mental disorder - but it would still be another five years before the military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy was ended.

 

A more comprehensive discussion of this topic can be found at: http://psychology.ucdavis.edu/rainbow/html/facts_mental_health.html  

 

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Comments

[Fuller Ming]

Ok, it's not a mental disorder, but there really isn't that much difference between men and women. Why not restrict ourselves regarding romantic relationships to people who are the opposite sex? We restrict our sexuality in other ways such as one wife, adults with adults (as opposed to with children). I am confident that if the only option for romance for me as a man was a man, I could figure out how to fall in love with a man - but this option is off the table (as is all other women, unless my wife dies).

[Michael Brasher]

December 15, 1973 – the year homosexuality was no longer considered a mental disability by the Federal Government. Why? What also happened in 1973??

September 26, 1973 – The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 – precursor to the Americans with Disabilities Act passed in 1990 – The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 was intended to eliminate discrimination against people with disabilities activities receiving federal funding.

I am myself gay and find this very disturbing. It wasn't declassified because they wanted to make us happy! They declassified it because we could say we were disabled and thus receive government assistance. This declassification made us ineligible for government assistance.

[Rob Frydlewicz]

Michael, thanks for your comment. Although it's an interesting take on the subject, the declassification of homosexuality wasn't an action taken by the Federal gov't. Rather, it was based on a vote by the American Psychiatric Association.