The word "queer" has been used to refer to people who identify themselves outside of traditional heteronormative definitions of gender and sexuality since at least the mid-twentieth century. In this context, it is often used as an umbrella term that includes individuals who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, and/or asexual.
Its usage dates back much further than that, having been employed in various historical contexts.
Queer was once a pejorative term used to describe homosexuals and cross-dressers during the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Medical practices have played a significant role in pathologizing such identities throughout history. In fact, medical professionals have historically viewed all forms of non-heterosexual behavior as abnormal and deviant, which has led to stigmatization and discrimination against those who identify as queer. This paper will explore how historical medical practices pathologized queer identities and what insights these histories provide for contemporary bioethical reflection on social justice and diversity.
In the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, psychiatrists and other mental health professionals classified same-sex attraction as a mental illness. The American Psychiatric Association (APA) first included homosexuality as a diagnosis in its Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) in 1952. At this time, many psychiatrists believed that homosexuality was a sign of deep-seated neuroses or childhood trauma, requiring treatment through psychoanalysis or electroshock therapy. Some doctors even went so far as to claim that they could "cure" patients by using physical methods like lobotomies or castration. These treatments were often forced upon individuals without their consent, leaving them physically and emotionally scarred.
The APA removed homosexuality from the DSM in 1973 following growing opposition from within the psychiatric community.
This change did not end the pathologization of queerness. Instead, it shifted the focus to gender identity disorder (GID), which was characterized by an individual's inability to identify with the sex assigned at birth. Transgender people were subjected to similar treatments as those who identified as homosexual, including hormone therapy, electroshock therapy, and even surgery. In fact, some doctors would refuse to perform gender reassignment surgery on transgender patients unless they agreed to undergo psychotherapy first. This reinforced the idea that non-heteronormative identities were abnormal and required correction.
Medical professionals also played a significant role in the criminalization of same-sex sexual activity throughout history. In ancient Greece and Rome, for example, men who engaged in sexual acts with other men were punished with death. During the Middle Ages, sodomy was considered a crime punishable by burning at the stake. Even after the decriminalization of consensual same-sex relations in many countries during the twentieth century, medical professionals continued to view such behavior as deviant and dangerous.
In the United States, the Sexual Revolution led to the legalization of gay rights but resulted in increased HIV/AIDS diagnoses among queer individuals. The public health crisis further pathologized these communities, leading to a lack of access to medical care and treatment.
These historical practices illustrate how medicine has been used to marginalize and harm individuals based on their sexuality and gender identity. They also demonstrate how the medical community can be complicit in perpetuating oppression and discrimination.
Recent advances in bioethics have challenged traditional notions of justice and diversity, which is evident in the current debate over queer issues like euthanasia and assisted suicide. Some argue that the right to die should extend to all individuals regardless of sexual or gender identity, while others believe that it should only apply to those who identify as cisgender and heterosexual. These debates raise important questions about the ethical implications of medical practice and social justice. Should doctors provide care to everyone equally, regardless of their backgrounds? Or should they prioritize certain groups based on their perceived value or need for assistance? These are complex questions that require careful consideration from all sides.
This paper has explored how historical medical practices pathologized queer identities and what insights these histories provide for contemporary bioethical reflection on social justice and diversity. By understanding the role of medicine in stigmatizing non-heteronormative behavior, we can better understand the need for inclusive and equitable healthcare policies. We must continue to advocate for the rights of all individuals, including those who identify as queer, if we want to create a more just society.
How did historical medical practices pathologize queer identities, and what insights do these histories provide for contemporary bioethical reflection on social justice and diversity?
Historically, many people identified as queer experienced stigma and marginalization due to their identity and behaviors. This resulted in various medical practices being used to diagnose and treat them, such as conversion therapy, electroshock therapy, and institutionalization. These practices were often based on false beliefs about sexual orientation and gender identity, and they caused harm to those who underwent them.