Historical Medical and Psychiatric Classifications are rooted in the concept that some forms of gender and sexual expression are abnormal or deviant from societal norms. This has led to negative stereotypes and discrimination towards individuals who identify as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, Nonbinary, Asexual, and Pansexual (LGBTQIA+). These categories have been used to justify oppressive policies and attitudes towards these groups, leading to social isolation, exclusion, and violence. This is an unfortunate legacy of medicalized classifications that still impacts the lives of LGBTQIA+ people today. In this article, we will explore how historical medical and psychiatric classifications contributed to contemporary stigmas and prejudices against LGBTQ communities.
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), published by the American Psychiatric Association, was the primary source of diagnosis for mental disorders until 1980. It included homosexuality under its category of 'Sexual Deviations' alongside other behaviors such as pedophilia and voyeurism. This classification implied that homosexuality was a pathological condition requiring treatment. The DSM-III revised homosexuality out of this category but kept it in the manual, labeling it "ego dystonic homosexuality," meaning that one felt distress over their own sexual orientation.
This categorization created false equivalencies between sexual minorities and mental illnesses, reinforcing the idea that they were abnormal or deviant from normative gender expressions. Despite the removal of homosexuality from the DSM-IV, many psychologists continue to use language that suggests homosexuality is a problem to be cured or changed, perpetuating harmful stereotypes and discrimination against LGBTQIA+ individuals.
The International Classification of Diseases (ICD) has been used to justify legal discrimination against LGBTQIA+ people worldwide. Until 2018, it listed transgender identity as a mental health disorder, suggesting that gender diversity required medical intervention or therapy. This approach has led to widespread stigma and prejudice towards transgender individuals, preventing them from accessing basic rights and services.
The classifications also contributed to the criminalization of consensual sex acts between LGBTQIA+ individuals, leading to imprisonment and even execution in some countries. The ICD described homosexuality as an 'unspecified sexual perversion' until 1973, when it moved into the broader category of "disorders of sexual preference." This classification allowed for the continued criminalization of LGBTQIA+ individuals under antiquated laws.
Despite these changes, contemporary medical and psychiatric classifications still have significant impacts on how society views LGBTQIA+ identities. They are often used to justify anti-LGBTQIA+ policies, such as bans on same-sex marriage or adoption.
They reinforce societal expectations of gender conformity, leading to internalized shame and self-loathing among those who do not fit into rigid categories. It is essential to recognize the historical legacy of these harmful classifications and work towards creating more inclusive language and practices in our communities.
How have historical medical and psychiatric classifications contributed to contemporary stigmas and social prejudices against LGBTQ communities?
The classification of people based on their sexual orientation and gender identity has been a controversial topic for many years. Historical medical and psychiatric classifications had a significant impact on the way society viewed these individuals. Historically, homosexuality was considered a mental disorder, and gay people were often institutionalized and treated with various therapies such as conversion therapy or electroshock therapy.