Historical Medical Discourse
Historically, medicine has pathologized queer identities through the creation of a false dichotomy between normal/abnormal, healthy/unhealthy, and heterosexual/homosexual. This is seen in the classification of homosexuality as a mental disorder until its declassification in the late twentieth century, and the continued prevalence of conversion therapy and other practices that attempt to change someone's sexual orientation. By framing queerness as an aberration from the norm, medical discourse has perpetuated stigma and discrimination against LGBTQ+ individuals.
Sexuality Classification
In the early nineteenth century, physicians such as Karl Heinrich Ulrichs began to classify human sexuality along a spectrum, including heterosexual and homosexual orientations.
This was later rejected by Sigmund Freud, who argued that all individuals are innately bisexual and can be "cured" of same-sex attraction through psychoanalysis. This view persisted for several decades, leading to the classification of homosexuality as a mental illness in the DSM-II in 1973. This led to widespread abuse and mistreatment of LGBTQ+ individuals in psychiatric institutions, including electroshock therapy and lobotomies.
Bioethics Lessons
The historical pathologization of queer identities has important lessons for contemporary bioethics. Firstly, it highlights the importance of recognizing diverse sexual orientations and identities within medicine. Healthcare providers should be trained on how to address patients with sensitivity and respect, without assuming their identity or forcing them into binary categories. Secondly, it emphasizes the need for caution when using terms like "disorder" or "disease" to describe non-normative behaviors or identities.
It serves as a reminder that medical interventions aimed at changing someone's sexual orientation have been historically harmful and should not be used without informed consent.
Historical medical discourse has had a profound impact on the way queerness is viewed and treated in society. By understanding these past mistakes, we can work towards creating a more inclusive and equitable future for all individuals, regardless of their gender or sexuality.
How did historical medical discourse pathologize queer identities, and what lessons can contemporary bioethics draw from these past mistakes?
The historical medical discourse has been known for pathologizing queer identities by defining them as mental illnesses that needed treatment through various forms of therapies. This was done by linking homosexuality with other mental disorders such as pedophilia and narcissism. The practice led to the creation of conversion therapy that aimed at converting gay people into heterosexuals.