Historical Medical Discourse
Medicine is a field that has evolved over time to become more advanced than it once was.
There are still some aspects of medicine that have yet to fully catch up with the times. One such aspect is how historical medical discourse pathologized queer identities. Historically, doctors believed that homosexuality was an illness that needed to be treated through therapy or even exorcised from people's lives altogether. This discourse pathologized queer identities and made them seem like they were wrong for being who they were. In this essay, I will explore how this happened and what lessons can be drawn for contemporary bioethics, public health, and social justice.
The first instance of pathologizing queer identities can be traced back to Ancient Greece. In Greek culture, homosexuality was seen as an illness that could be cured with treatment from a physician. This attitude continued into the Renaissance era where doctors began using physical treatments such as castration to "cure" homosexuals. Even today in some parts of the world, homosexuality is considered a mental disorder by certain doctors who believe that it needs to be "fixed."
It wasn't until the late 19th century that American psychiatrists started recognizing homosexuality as something that couldn't be cured. They realized that sexual orientation was determined at birth and that attempts to change someone's sexual orientation would not work. Despite this realization, many psychiatrists still believed that homosexuality was unnatural and harmful. It wasn't until the 1970s that the American Psychiatric Association removed homosexuality from its list of mental disorders.
Today, we know that sexual orientation is not something that can be changed, but there are still instances of medical professionals trying to change someone's gender identity. Gender dysphoria is now recognized as a diagnosis in the DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders), which has been criticized by many transgender advocates. The idea behind this diagnosis is that being transgender is a mental illness that needs to be treated through therapy or even surgery.
These treatments often don't work and leave trans people feeling even more alienated than before.
Lessons for Contemporary Bioethics, Public Health, and Social Justice
There are several lessons to be learned from historical medical discourse about queer identities. One is that medicine should never pathologize any identity. Everyone deserves to feel comfortable in their own skin regardless of who they love or how they identify themselves. This means that doctors need to learn how to respect everyone's choices and preferences without judgment. Doctors also need to be aware of the potential damage that can come from attempting to "cure" someone's identity. When it comes to public health, policy makers need to make sure that everyone has access to quality healthcare regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.
Social justice activists must continue fighting for equal rights for all marginalized groups, including LGBTQ+ individuals.
Historical medical discourse has had a profound impact on how society views queer identities today. We must learn from our past mistakes so we can create a better future for ourselves and those around us. By understanding the harmful effects of pathologizing queer identities, we can ensure that everyone feels safe, accepted, and valued in our communities.
How did historical medical discourse pathologize queer identities, and what lessons for contemporary bioethics, public health, and social justice can be drawn?
Throughout history, medical discourse has played an essential role in shaping societal attitudes towards queer identities. In the past, queer people were often diagnosed with mental disorders and treated as outcasts by society. This led to widespread stigmatization, discrimination, and marginalization of these individuals. One example is when homosexuality was classified as a mental illness until 1973.