Homosexuality As A Mental Disorder - 1325 Words

Throughout history, there have been accounts of people being persecuted for many reasons; race, religion, political affiliations, and sexual orientation. In the United States, and many other nations across the globe, there have been hundreds of thousands of people victimized for being homosexual. Due to differing standpoints, homosexuality is seen as â€Å"immoral† or â€Å"sinful† or even â€Å"disgusting†. Up until 1973, homosexuality was also referred to as a mental disorder by the American Psychiatric Association. People could be openly criticized, mocked, and often killed for simply being gay. Because of these social and religious criticisms, many people have been forced to partake in â€Å"conversion† or â€Å"reparative† therapies in order to become†¦show more content†¦This proves that there is a higher risk of destructive behavior and victimization among the LGBT community. But why are these destructive behaviors present? Dr. Micha el Benibgui, PhD, notes in his dissertation that, â€Å"if early experiences regarding the LGB community are negative, they may arouse internalized homophobia and self-devaluation† (18). As an effect of these attitudes toward the LGBT community, these â€Å"self-devaluating† feelings are exposed. Because these feelings of self-hatred and the attitudes from others toward the LGBT community are so strong, many people are put into â€Å"reparative† therapies in order to â€Å"cure† them from their condition of homosexuality. The majority of therapies that people go through are extremely unpleasant and the American Psychological Association states, â€Å"there have been no scientifically adequate research to show that therapy aimed at changing sexual orientation is safe or effective.† (Sutton 11). However, many institutions still partake in these controversial therapies. The means by which certain people are treated is inhumane, and can worsen the ideo logy of inferiority and self-devaluation. While some therapies seem pleasant, such as prayer and meditation, some of the most controversial means of therapy include Prostitution, Hypnosis, Exorcism, Fetal Intervention, Electroconvulsive Therapy, and Genital Mutilation. None of the aforementioned therapy methods are without harm. TheseShow MoreRelatedIs Homosexuality A Mental Disorder?1500 Words   |  6 PagesHomosexuality has been one of the most controversial subjects around the world for thousands of years. Being a homosexual has been seen as taboo, morally wrong, and just abnormal. Scientists have questioned the mental health status of those who proclaim themselves as being homosexual, and have even gone as far to say that homosexuality is a mental disorder. Until 1974, being homosexual was deemed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) as a mental illness, and classifiedRead Morehomosexuality: a mental disorder?4366 Words   |  18 Pagesï » ¿ HOMOSEXUALITY: A MENTAL DISORDER? A Term Paper Presented to Trexie O. Alawi College of Arts and Sciences SURIGAO DEL SUR STATE UNIVERSITY Tandag City, Surigao del Sur In Partial Fulfilment Of the Requirements of the Course English 102 (Writing in the Discipline): TTH 7:30 – 9:00 a.m. 2nd Semester, AY 2013-2014 By Bruce Franklyn G. Aliguay February 2014 Homosexuality: a mental disorder? Thesis Statement: People shouldRead MoreHomosexuality As A Mental Disorder Essay1550 Words   |  7 PagesPrior to the twenty-first century, homosexuality was viewed as a mental disorder that required treatment. Both counseling and aversion therapy were exercised in attempts to â€Å"cure† individuals of their sexuality. 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