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The definition of mental illness is:
Homosexuality is clearly an impairment of normal behavioral functioning. Again back to medical definitions, normal is: “agreeing with the regular and established type.” Here the “regular and established type” is clearly heterosexual behavior. Major national surveys of sexual behavior have consistently shown that less than three percent of the American population identify themselves as homosexual or bisexual. The National Health and Social Life Survey found that 2.8% of the male, and 1.4% of the female, population identify themselves as gay, lesbian, or bisexual (3). Therefore, based on these small percentages, homosexual behavior functioning does not agree with the regular and established behavior, therefore it is not “normal” behavior.
Homosexuality is caused by physiological factors. Again, the medical definitions: “physiological: being in accord with or characteristic of the normal functioning of a living organism”, and “life: the property or quality that distinguishes living organisms from dead organisms and inanimate matter, manifested in functions such as metabolism, growth, reproduction, and response to stimuli”. Therefore a living being that does not behave in a manner that allows reproduction is not in accord with its normal functioning.
Homosexuality is also caused by psychosocial factors. There is some argument that homosexuals are ‘born that way’, however research on identical twins and maternal X chromosome inheritance has failed to provide a correlation with sexual orientation (4). Claims that the hypothalamus is a determination of sexuality have been shown to be unsubstantiated (5). Perhaps some homosexuals are genetically predisposed, but there is little argument that other homosexuals choose their lifestyle. Even the APA admits that “no findings have emerged that permit scientists to conclude that sexual orientation is determined by any particular factor or factors (6)” If homosexuality isn’t caused by genetics in all cases, then it must be caused by psychosocial factors in some cases.
This leads us back to the definition of mental illness. Homosexuality impairs normal behavioral functioning, the behavior impairs the individual’s ability to reproduce normally, and at least in some cases is caused by psychosocial factors. Therefore the answer to the question “Is homosexuality a mental illness?” must be found to be “yes”.
Endnotes
1. Medical Dictionary
2. http://www.connect2mason.com/homosex...ental_illness2
3. See Laumann et al., The Social Organization of Sex: Sexual Practices in the United States (1994).
4. Sexual Orientation, Determinants of
5. HOMOSEXUALITY 1; HMS1 - OMIM Result
6. http://www.apa.org/pi/about/newslett...re-update.aspx
Much is made about the American Psychiatric Association 1973 decision to de-list homosexuality as a mental illness. However less than 19% of its members voted for delisting, and even proponents concede that “Gay activism was clearly the force that propelled the APA to declassify homosexuality.(2)”Any of various psychiatric conditions, usually characterized by impairment of an individual's normal cognitive, emotional, or behavioral functioning, and caused by physiological or psychosocial factors (1).
Homosexuality is clearly an impairment of normal behavioral functioning. Again back to medical definitions, normal is: “agreeing with the regular and established type.” Here the “regular and established type” is clearly heterosexual behavior. Major national surveys of sexual behavior have consistently shown that less than three percent of the American population identify themselves as homosexual or bisexual. The National Health and Social Life Survey found that 2.8% of the male, and 1.4% of the female, population identify themselves as gay, lesbian, or bisexual (3). Therefore, based on these small percentages, homosexual behavior functioning does not agree with the regular and established behavior, therefore it is not “normal” behavior.
Homosexuality is caused by physiological factors. Again, the medical definitions: “physiological: being in accord with or characteristic of the normal functioning of a living organism”, and “life: the property or quality that distinguishes living organisms from dead organisms and inanimate matter, manifested in functions such as metabolism, growth, reproduction, and response to stimuli”. Therefore a living being that does not behave in a manner that allows reproduction is not in accord with its normal functioning.
Homosexuality is also caused by psychosocial factors. There is some argument that homosexuals are ‘born that way’, however research on identical twins and maternal X chromosome inheritance has failed to provide a correlation with sexual orientation (4). Claims that the hypothalamus is a determination of sexuality have been shown to be unsubstantiated (5). Perhaps some homosexuals are genetically predisposed, but there is little argument that other homosexuals choose their lifestyle. Even the APA admits that “no findings have emerged that permit scientists to conclude that sexual orientation is determined by any particular factor or factors (6)” If homosexuality isn’t caused by genetics in all cases, then it must be caused by psychosocial factors in some cases.
This leads us back to the definition of mental illness. Homosexuality impairs normal behavioral functioning, the behavior impairs the individual’s ability to reproduce normally, and at least in some cases is caused by psychosocial factors. Therefore the answer to the question “Is homosexuality a mental illness?” must be found to be “yes”.
Endnotes
1. Medical Dictionary
2. http://www.connect2mason.com/homosex...ental_illness2
3. See Laumann et al., The Social Organization of Sex: Sexual Practices in the United States (1994).
4. Sexual Orientation, Determinants of
5. HOMOSEXUALITY 1; HMS1 - OMIM Result
6. http://www.apa.org/pi/about/newslett...re-update.aspx