Homosexuality as a mental illness
On Christmas Day, a psychiatrist by the name of Dr. Charles W. Socarides passed away at the age of 83. What makes his death noteworthy, is the fact that he was famous for his stance against homosexuality. He led the charge against the American Psychiatric Association’s decision to delist homosexuality as a mental illness. Practically the only mention of this man’s death in the blogosphere has been by gay bloggers engaging in schadenfreude over his death. This led me to thinking.
Why are we (”we” as in homosexuals) are so opposed to the idea that maybe the APA was wrong to delist homosexuality as a mental illness? What if it is a mental illness? There’s certainly no solid proof of a biological origin for it, and it serves no evolutionary purpose. So why should homosexuality exist as a biological divergence in human sexuality?
Do I personally believe it to be a mental disorder? Of course not. But that’s grounded in nothing more than faith. Faith that I am not suffering from a potentially treatable disorder. It’s certainly not based on a solid scientific foundation. Sure, there’s evidence that homosexuality is in part, genetically determined; but there’s no proof for this. Deviations in brain structure do not constitute proof of a biological origin for homosexuality.
My personal belief is that homosexuality is partly genetic and partly due to environmental factors within the womb. And even then, there exists only the potential for homosexual preference until puberty hits and the hormones begin to change the structure of the brain. Yes, I believe that it’s innate and immutable; but again, that’s only a belief.
No different from the belief that it’s a conscious choice, or that it’s a mental disorder originating from something lacking in one’s childhood. So why do we rail against that belief when we have no proof against it? I’d have to say it’s the fact that people don’t like being labelled as suffering from a mental disorder. Perhaps the idea that homosexuality might one day be treatable like schizophrenia or bipolar disorder scares us. We want to be thought of as normal, and having the possibility loom over us that we’re not causes us to lash out.
So I pose the question: what if homosexuality is a disease — would that really be so horrible?
[Update 31 December 2005]
Read Matt Hill’s excellent reply.
December 30th, 2005 at 9:55 pm
well, first, not all psychological disorders are of biological origin. it’s not as simple as the nature or nurture debate implies. just as you said, genetics factors out some potential for mental illnes, but ultimately, the environment determines if this potential becomes the illnes.
second, APA only delisted homosexuality as a mental disorder, in the sense that, well, it’s not in the list. however, if one’s homosexuality causes some kind of internal conflict with himself, and causes the person to not function normally, then it is considered a mental illness.
just like in phobias. being afraid of cockroaches is not considered a mentall illnes, unless it is irrational and prevents you from living normally.
it’s just like saying that there’s nothing wrong if you’re different, unless being different causes you to not function.
January 5th, 2006 at 6:12 pm
I think that it would be bad to label it as a disease, and ultimately try and treat it. Say that, because there are hateful people out there that definitely would do just that; and ones that already attempt to by subjecting their children to torture. I think that being gay is just part of society, part of humanity. It is a part of nature, as evidenced by homosexual activity in the animal kingdom.
With that being said, I totally think that your statement, “it serves no evolutionary purpose”, is a little bit contrary to that. Whether we want to admit it or not, homosexuality, if looked at through a Darwinian eye, could be considered an effective method of population control; that is, if 10% truly do not reproduce (which we all know isn’t going to happen, and isn’t true). I think that both of those ideas are something interesting to ponder; and I for one, just hope that it never becomes labelled a disorder. But if it does, you can bet my ass is drawing disability… if you are going to label me, you will have to buy me a benz! LOL!
February 11th, 2006 at 1:03 pm
Oddly, if it were a mental illness we might be provided better protection. We would be covered by the ADA. So we most likely couldn’t be fired for being gay.
Also interestingly, even if it is proven that one’s queerness is entirely genetic, that doesn’t make it not a mental illness. Depression often has genetic origins, as do many other things that are, or at least that I would consider ‘mental illnesses’. I haven’t read the list though, so who knows.
March 3rd, 2006 at 7:13 pm
It would be quite bad. Listing homosexuality as a mental disorder would open the doors to a lot of persecution:
1) The military would have a pretty indisputable reason not to allow homosexuals in the military (as opposed to the flimsy one they have now). This is also true for other positions you would have to take a psych eval for.
2) It would be harder to justify allowing homosexuals to adopt or foster children. After all, who wants crazy people handling children? It might spread :-0
3) There would be no reason for employers to extend benefits to the other half of a same-sex partnership. Though their medical might offer treatment programs to their employee.
I’m sure you’ve already thought of some, if not all, of these yourself. Still, I thought I would state them explicitly.
March 13th, 2006 at 2:13 am
Those that say homosexuality cannot be the result of evolution are taking a very simplistic view of evolution. There are plenty of traits in human beings that common sense would say had not purpose that do in fact count as “survival” traits.
Also homosexuality does not have to be genetic exactly but can be the result of other genetic traits.
I think the origin of gay people comes from the ability of the human organisim to differeniate itself into two separate and distinct physical forms for the purpose of sexual reproduction, in other words male and female. The results of which produce a range of physical types each containing some qualites of both male and female in varying degrees.
December 7th, 2006 at 8:55 am
I just wanted to comment on this as I was researching the idea after it occured to me today. I am a straight man so dont flame me for being straight and saying what i think. I am not targeting hatred towards anyone. That being said I agree with you about the illness. And i read the post by Matt Hill and the comments above. However You are right. The reality is no one wants to be different, or thought of as mentally ill. I feel like the basis for the wishful thinkning from some as posted above are just shallow and PC wannabe BS! Listen I dont mind sick people we all have our sicknesses. Hell I have been guilty of addiction to weed. Which if you think about it is a mental illness. Does it bother me to say that about myself? NO, but then I am not ashamed of who I am.
I know its not the behavior of a chemically sound brain. Francis I agree with alot of your post, and also yours Max Hedrm. Consider this many Homosexuals say love is love blah blah, but serial killers also feel an emotional feeling be it love or whatever, doesnt make it right. I am not trying to compare serial killers to gays, but simply draw an analogy be an extreme one that will maybe make some think. Hell we can argue that serial killers are a product of evolution and a means of population control. See where im heading with this? Look dont be afraid to consider the possibility. Its not going to make me like you or dislike you , anymore than I already do. Evolution doesnt need a reason. Matter of fact have you ever considered the MD (muscular Dystrophy) or other illnesses that RANDOMLY strike families? Yes some are genetic and some are not, but what if its just a mental illness that you cant help, and you just happened to be prone to it. Maybe you were just born with an illness like many people with disabilities. Now do you feel bad calling a schizo disabled? Thay are. Do you feel bad calling a handicapped person in a wheel chair disabled? They are. Serial killers are sick. I think we can all agree on that one. So here it goes. Homosexuals have a disablity. With research and help and maybe medicine we can hope to someday treat prevent and understand the meaning and reason for homosexuality. And everyone should get over the labels. This is not a utopia. This is the real world. And im sorry to say but no matter what you do, someone will always label you . White black grey gay straight. None of it matters. Its just the way it is. Deal with it. And open your mind. I have done so for you. I voted for gay marriage. Iam from KANSAS. ENOUGH SAID. So consider it. thinkn about it. And dont flame me for having an opinion. That would be hippocritical of you wouldnt it.
December 7th, 2006 at 9:08 am
Oh and you might wonder why i voted for gay marriage and i also think its an illness. Well its simple. If the people in power that make the choices wont recognize it as a mental disorder, then they are facilitating the illness. And I wont prevent you from living, the way you feel is normal, just because you have an illness and i dont happen to suffer this same illness. If they wont recognize it as such , then they shouldnt treat it like a touchy issue. Either its an illness or its not. If its not then fuggin marry away. If it is then recognize it as one, start offering treatment, and then you wouldnt have homosexuals getting married because you are treating the illness. Not to mention I feel for you on the tax issues and many other areas that normal partners in marriage enjoy, but you dont. Im only saying what I believe as an individual and would like some solid proof from a group not one person on the net reading someone elses half truths and reposting it for me to read like its some scientific miracle. I also believe religious extremists are mentally ill. Shirly Phelps your fuggin psycho and need to die yourself your sicko. So to reiterate my stance on the marriage..dont say its ok to be gay then say its not ok to be gay and married. Sounds screwy to me. Seems like alot of truth is hidden behind A. Pride, B. Votes, C. Political correct BS. and D. fear (on both sides)
Hope your lifes all work out for you. Ill or not. Just my opinion..dont take it too seriously..wont do you anygood to get pissy anyhow.
Peace