Is homosexuality a mental disorder?

Question

I know psychologists, psychiatrists and medical doctors all say no, but I think they do so because it's not popular. I believe it is a mental disorder just like any other addiction or obsessive cumpulsive disorder simply because it serves no purpose. Homosexuality is about one thing, who you are having sex with. Everything else is smoke and mirrors. If you have sex with the same gender, you're a homo. If not, then you're not. What do you think?

Answer 1

At least one answer here failed to recognize that homosexuality was removed as an official disorder from the DSM in the '70's, which I assume is what you are referring to in your first sentence.

(Similarly, there's also a push currently by the trans community to remove gender identity-related disorders from the DSM-IV. That could easily happen some day as well.)

In past cultures, homosexuality specifically referred to the act of having sex with a member of the same sex as oneself.

[The notorious verses in Leviticus referred specifically just to the same-sex sexual act and specified nothing about someone's inclinations, motivations, etc. Those were irrelevant. A homosexual is someone who committed a homosexual act, regardless of sexual preference.]

So throughout most of history, there was no "homosexual identity" -- this is a concept that developed only over the last 50 years or so, mostly for political and psychological reasons.

(i.e., If you can change a behavior issue into an identity issue, then you can re-cast the argument in terms of prejudice against a minority group rather than a disagreement over the overall value of the behavior.)

Evolutionary-wise, sure, homosexual behavior is a dead end from the reproductive biological standpoint. Procreation cannot occur; hence, the organism's genetic line dies out. Like you said, it serves no overall purpose.

That being said, I'm not sure where you plan to go from here. Regardless of "what" homosexuality is, there are still people who struggle with same-sex attraction and need to be supported and advised so that they can find wholeness.

Answer 2

I don't believe that it is a mental disorder simply because it goes against the norm. Many more things would be classified as mental disorders if this were the case. I understand the logic, but homosexuality is not as abnormal as everyone claims. Before the term "homosexual" was even coined this type of behavior was rampant in all cultures. It is really the practice of religion which demonizes homosexuality, but prior to it actually becoming an identity people engaged in the acts quite freely in some cultures. It's like if a person likes kinky sex... or they like having sex with someone of their same gender... it was a matter of taste simply and didn't imply anything about a persons mental health, or their moral standing. Religion puts the negative spin and the abnormality label on homosexuality. There are many behaviors that are considered deviant and abnormal that in fact have always existed. Mental disorders often affect a person's ability to perform whatever civilized standards are put upon them, homosexuality does not hinder a person from performing these standards and their battles are usually of a social nature, but not because of any lack of ability, but instead because of sexual taste. A person with a mental disorder is limited, a homosexual is limited by society. Big difference.

Answer 3

But how is that a mental disorder? Your sexuality is a matter of privacy. It shouldn't be up to the rest of the straight, so called "normal" people to judge homosexuals from being different than we are. You're saying that it should be judged as a mental disorder because it's simply different than how the majority of people lead their lives?

And it was seen as a mental disorder until within the last several decades. The Pentagon even had it listed under disabilities that would enable the military to discharge soldiers. I'm not judging you, but by all means, I think we all need to be more understanding and open-minded about this.

When it comes down to it, homosexuality is about the personal choice of one's own sexual identity. No one has the right to choose that for anyone else--it's up to that person, and that person only.

Answer 4

I believe that there is a small percentage of people who have a genetic inclination towards homosexuality. After all, we see physical gender abnormalities all the time, such as hermaphroditism and nobody chooses to be born with the wrong body parts. However these are very rare, just as rare as the true "woman in a man's body" or vice-versa. Mostly homosexuality results from a combination of childhood issues, poor social development, inability to communicate with the opposite sex, and a psychological need for love and acceptance that is not being fullfilled in nature's way. Ultimately, when an otherwise biologically healthy male drops to his knees to suck cock for the first time (and every time), he makes a choice. It is a mental disorder akin to other addictions and destructive behaviors where the main idea is to stimulate the pleasure center in the brain in an effort to avoid an otherwise painful reality.

Answer 5

This was just posted by Special agent ? Is it a sickness?: Several mental and medical health organizations have each studied homosexuality but came to the same conclusion: homosexuality isn't a mental illness, moral depravity, it is as natural as heterosexuality and is unchosen and unchangeable. Here are the organizations: American Psyciatric Association American Psychological Association American Counseling Association American Bar Association American Academy of Pediatrics American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy American Psychoanalytic Association American Anthropoligical Association American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry American Medical Association Child Welfare League of America American Academy of Family Physicians North American Counil on Adoptable Children American School Counselor Association National Association of School Psychologists On top of that, every study done to say homosexuality is unnatural or wrong has been found to have serious flaws and most have been found to be rooted on religious grounds (such as NARTH, Focus on the Family)

Answer 6

This is my take on the reason why. Just as people are born with an extra nipple or both sexes (called amorphidites) What would cause a amorphidite to choose a sex. If they remove the obvious but they are still left with a same sex tendencies who can say its wrong? I believe somewhere in there genetic make up they have had some mix up and not by choice do they tend to be attracted to the same sex but as the same reason (were as we would say is normal) we chose to be with someone of the opposite sex. Our body and people are different in many different ways and I just think this is another birth defect that went haywire. Not making it wrong or right. Haywire may not be the right choice of words but I hope that i explained it so you could understand.

Answer 7

Actually, it it is no longer considered a mental disorder because it doesn't fit the criteria for defining a mental disorder, and is instead commonly classified as a behavior. Also, homosexuality is about attraction, not sex. Homosexuals are physically attracted to members of the same sex and not by members of the opposite sex.Your definition implies that virgins cannot be homosexual or that someone who has been raped or molested by someone of the same sex is immediately classified as a homosexual.

Answer 8

about 25 years ago, it was in fact classified as a mental disorder, treatment for which was covered by health insurance!

Why was that changed? I really do not know. I'm not gay, but I have gay friends. I care about them and am resistant to say that there's something wrong with them for who they wish to have sex with. I'm just reporting what I know to be the truth. Take it at face value. There's a lot of things we used to do that we don't do anymore, like make negroes ride in the back of the bus. Pick and choose what you think was wrong or right.

Answer 9

What purpose does heterosexuality serve...for some it is procreation, but what about people (straight couples) who are either unable or unwilling to procreate...what purpose, other than sex does their relationship offer??

Relationships offer much more than sex...friendship, companionship, mutual respect, support ....on & on the list goes...and can be applied to any relationship (gay, straight, spouse, friend, lover, etc)

I am not sure I follow your reasoning...but I believe that it is not a choice for some, I think they have a gene that determines their preference. and no I do not think it is a mental disorder

I also find it humorous the people who answer and sound enlightetned but have to throw in the "I am not guy" qualifer....

Answer 10

In the earlier DSM, homosexuality was recorded as a disorder, but recent versions have eliminated this...