Most of the following posts will come from the American Psychiatry Association and peer reviewed journals.
Official APA stance
There is no consensus among scientists about the exact reasons that an individual develops a heterosexual, bisexual, gay, or lesbian orientation. Although much research has examined the possible genetic, hormonal, developmental, social, and cultural influences on sexual orientation, no findings have emerged that permit scientists to conclude that sexual orientation is determined by any particular factor or factors.
Source
Very vague isn't it.
Homosexuality remains to be a topic of discussion for mental health professionals because there is still no clear evidence whether or not it is possible to alter a person's sexual orientation
Haldeman, Douglas C. "The Practice and Ethics of Sexual Orientation Conversion Therapy." Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology. 62.2 (1994): 221-227. Cornell U. PsychNet
Gender identity has to do with what gender a person identifies themselves as, and sexual orientation has two do with the sexual preference of the individual; the two are not necessarily correlated.
Stein, T.S. "Homosexuality and Psychiatry." International Encyclopedia of the Social and Behavioral Sciences. 2004. Science Direct. 26 Oct. 2007. <
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Details the beginnings including its initial classification as a disease and its subsequent removal. Includes its current classification.
Evolution of the Medical Definition of Homosexuality.
Ok, maybe we're having an issue over the definition. I can understand that many think of the term "lifestyle" as something vague or lewd like swinging or nudism. However, it accompassed a great deal more. I can use the term "orientation" if you want but here is the term I used. They are interchangeable and more than one APA journal has used the term when referring to homosexuality.
A lifestyle is a characteristic bundle of behaviors that makes sense to both others and oneself in a given time and place, including social relations, consumption, entertainment, and dress. The behaviors and practices within lifestyles are a mixture of habits, conventional ways of doing things, and reasoned actions. A lifestyle typically also reflects an individual's attitudes, values or worldview. Therefore, a lifestyle is a means of forging a sense of self and to create cultural symbols that resonate with personal identity. Not all aspects of a lifestyle are entirely voluntaristic. Surrounding social and technical systems can constrain the lifestyle choices available to the individual and the symbols she/he is able to project to others and the self.
Definition Source
Umm, you just reaffirmed my original point and invalidated your first paragraph. Lifestyle includes sexual orientation and gender identity.
Correct, in 1973 it was removed from the American Psychological Association listing as a psychological illness. You'll also notice that all literature concerning homosexuality is about discrimination and reparitive therapy.
The APA wants nothing to do with homosexuality and further stances show a neutral standing. A lifestyle or orientation is about all it is will to classify homosexuality under if that. The "we don't know" stance is more commonly seen in public declarations. All research into homosexuality has been suspended and those attempting to research anything into treatment or viewing homosexuality as anything other than a lifestyle/orientation often opposed. Ironically, most if not all APA sponsored research into homosexual relationships (as they would with heterosexual relationships) has also been suspended as a direct result forcing many to freelance and seek funding and accredidation from other institutions if at all.
Political pressure is also exerted from Gay and Lesbian Psychiatry societies who vehemently oppose any form of research from the nationally and globally credited Psychiatric institutions.
Recent example:
APA Cancels Forum Under Pressure
Psychiatry is a relatively new science compared to its other peers. Its much more likely to remove itself from politically sensitive issues or be affected by political influence than others. Those that point out that the APA has deviated from "scientific method" when coming to their conclusions are quickly shunned. To date, the APA has not really explained the deviation.
It took almost two decades for the American Psychoanalyst Association issue their neutral stance on the issue as well.
Famous Gay Psychiatrist
Homosexuality was removed from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders a year later, and Fryer's speech has been cited as a key factor in persuading the psychiatric community to reach this decision
Scasta DL (2002). John E. Fryer, MD, and the Dr. H. Anonymous Episode. Journal of Gay & Lesbian Psychotherapy Volume: 6 Issue: 4 pp. 73 - 84.
Abnormal Sexual Psychology was my original choice for a Master's thesis although I'm leaning towards criminal atm. Still, this particular question was a great debate in my senior level General Abnormal Psych. class for which our professor gave us a credit. I think he was being lazy since he only had to moderate for 2 full days instead of lecture.
She's to blame in that she had a defective reproductive system at that moment. But....is it a defect? I think it's naturally occurring, so it's just a variation of the natural.
