Throughout history, there have been various societal perspectives regarding gender identity and sexual orientation. Some cultures and civilizations view nonconforming genders and sexualities as abnormal, while others consider them acceptable. The term "queer" has evolved to represent individuals who do not fit into traditional heteronormative categories.
Such identities were often pathologized by medical frameworks that saw them as deviant or harmful. This article will discuss how historical medical frameworks pathologized queer identities and what lessons contemporary bioethics and public health can draw from these frameworks about morality, social norms, and scientific responsibility.
The History of Pathologizing Queer Identities
In the past, queer identities were frequently pathologized by medical professionals who saw them as abnormal or unhealthy.
Homosexuality was considered a mental illness until it was declassified as a disorder in 1973. Transgender identities were also stigmatized under the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), which classified transvestism as a disorder until 2013. Even today, many cultures still view queerness as unnatural or immoral.
Queer Identities and Morality
Morality is a cultural concept shaped by religious beliefs and societal norms. Traditional moral frameworks often consider queerness immoral or sinful, leading to discrimination against LGBTQ+ individuals.
Some religions believe same-sex relationships are forbidden, leading to persecution and violence against those who identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender.
Queer Identities and Social Norms
Social norms are rules governing behavior that are widely accepted within a community. In Western society, heteronormativity dominates, wherein cisgender males and females interact with each other romantically or sexually and have children together.
This standard fails to represent the diverse sexualities and genders found throughout human history. By pathologizing queer identities, historical medical frameworks reinforced these norms and further marginalized nonconforming groups.
Lessons for Contemporary Bioethics and Public Health
Contemporary bioethics and public health can learn from past mistakes in pathologizing queer identities. These fields must recognize and respect diverse perspectives on gender identity and sexual orientation while avoiding stigmatization or marginalization. They should also advocate for inclusive policies and practices that promote equity and access to care for all individuals, regardless of their gender expression or sexual preferences. By doing so, they can improve the health and wellbeing of LGBTQ+ communities and promote social justice.
Historical medical frameworks pathologized queer identities, reinforcing moral and social norms that continue to oppress and exclude nonconforming individuals. Contemporary bioethics and public health should work towards promoting equity and inclusion by recognizing and validating diverse perspectives on gender identity and sexual orientation. This approach will support healthier outcomes for LGBTQ+ individuals and foster a more just society.
How did historical medical frameworks pathologize queer identities, and what lessons can contemporary bioethics and public health draw about morality, social norms, and scientific responsibility?
In the late nineteenth century, early twentieth century, and even into the mid-twentieth century, many healthcare providers viewed sexual orientation as a mental disorder. This was due to the belief that heterosexuality was considered the "ideal" form of attraction and behavior. Individuals who identified with homosexuality were seen as being outliers and deviants from this ideal and therefore mentally ill.