The history of psychiatry has been marred by numerous instances wherein homosexuality was considered a mental disorder. This was due to the fact that many professionals believed that the act of being homosexual went against nature's course. In order to combat this, they came up with various therapies that were aimed at changing one's sexual orientation from gay to straight.
These attempts proved futile since there is no scientific basis for such a change. As such, these treatments had to be stopped but the stigma associated with LGBTQ people remained until recently when it became widely accepted by society. One major factor that contributed to the marginalization and stigmatization of LGBTQ people was the lack of proper education about their condition.
Most schools did not teach kids about same-sex attraction and those who were found to be attracted to the same sex were often bullied by peers. Moreover, some parents failed to provide adequate support for children who identified as LGBTQ. Consequently, they grew up feeling alienated and isolated from society and thus opted to keep their identity a secret. The impact of such an environment led to depression, anxiety, and even suicide among those in the community.
Medical discourses have also played a crucial role in stigmatizing the LGBTQ community.
Doctors were known to suggest sterilization or castration as a way of curbing unnatural urges among homosexuals. Such treatments were brutal and highly invasive and left scars on victims both physically and mentally. This further served to drive them away from society and create a sense of self-hate among them. In addition, many doctors refused to give appropriate treatment to LGBTQ patients due to their own prejudices. Even if they received any kind of care, it was often delayed, ineffective, or incomplete resulting in poor outcomes. Today, things have improved significantly but there is still a long way to go before we can fully eliminate all forms of discrimination against this group.
How did historical psychiatric and medical discourses contribute to marginalization and stigmatization of LGBTQ people?
Historical discourses have contributed to the marginalization and stigmatization of LGBTQ people by portraying them as deviants who are not normal and do not conform to cultural norms. This perception has led to negative attitudes and prejudice towards the community, which has affected their access to healthcare services, employment opportunities, and social interactions.