In light of comments made on The
Nolan Show today, the Royal College of Psychiatrists wishes to
clarify that homosexuality is not a psychiatric disorder.
The Royal College of Psychiatrists
holds the view that lesbian, gay and bisexual people should be
regarded as valued members of society who have exactly similar
rights and responsibilities as all other citizens. This includes
equal access to health care, the rights and responsibilities
involved in a civil partnership, the rights and responsibilities
involved in procreating and bringing up children, freedom to
practice a religion as a lay person or religious leader, freedom
from harassment or discrimination in any sphere and a right to
protection from therapies that are potentially damaging,
particularly those that purport to change sexual orientation.
In 1973 the American Psychiatric
Association concluded there was no scientific evidence that
homosexuality was a disorder and removed it from its diagnostic
glossary of mental disorders. The International Classification of
Diseases of the World Health Organisation followed suit in
1992.
There is now a large body of
research evidence that indicates that being gay, lesbian or
bisexual is compatible with normal mental health and social
adjustment. However, the experiences of discrimination in society
and possible rejection by friends, families and others, such as
employers, means that some lesbian, gay and bisexual people
experience a greater than expected prevalence of mental health and
substance misuse problems.
Although there have been claims by conservative political groups
in the USA that this higher prevalence of mental health
difficulties is confirmation that homosexuality is itself a mental
disorder, there is no evidence whatever to substantiate such a
claim.
For more information, please contact Liz Main at lmain@nirelanddiv.rcpsych.ac.uk
