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Dispelling More Myths About Sexual Orientation and Transgenderism

  

Category:  News & Politics

Via:  eginnj  •  7 years ago  •  13 comments

Dispelling More Myths About Sexual Orientation and Transgenderism

It seems that so many science deniers positively revel in their ignorance about sexuality: they continue to insist that one can change one's sexual orientation; they confuse orientation with behavior, insisting that being homosexual is a behavior (but if you point that that makes heterosexuality a "behavior," also, they get very insulted); that homosexuality is a choice; that being homosexual or transgender is a mental disorder; and they continue to spew the lie that transgenders want to be one gender one day, and change it the next.  This is all despite what science has stated regarding these things -- but never let it be said that ignorant people let facts get in the way of their delusions.

To start, let's consider the lie that being homosexual is a mental disorder.  Here is what the American Psychological Association has to say about that:

...[L]esbian, gay and bisexual orientations are not disorders. Research has found no inherent association between any of these sexual orientations and psychopathology . Both heterosexual behavior and homosexual behavior are normal aspects of human sexuality . Both have been documented in many different cultures and historical eras. Despite the persistence of stereotypes that portray lesbian, gay and bisexual people as disturbed, several decades of research and clinical experience have led all mainstream medical and mental health organizations in this country to conclude that these orientations represent normal forms of human experience. Lesbian, gay and bisexual relationships are normal forms of human bonding. Therefore, these mainstream organizations long ago abandoned classifications of homosexuality as a mental disorder.


http://www.apa.org/topics/lgbt/orientation.aspx

And the American Psychiatric Association:


[T]he latest and best scientific evidence shows that sexual orientation and expressions of gender identity occur naturally, and pose no threat to societies in which they are accepted as normal variants of human sexuality .

The prevailing opinion within the scientific community is that there is a strong biological component to sexual orientation, and that it can be influenced by the interaction of genetic, hormonal and environmental factors. In short, there is no scientific evidence that sexual orientation, be it heterosexual, homosexual or otherwise, is a freewill choice .

After a review of scientific evidence, the APA determined that homosexuality is not a mental disorder in 1973 and removed it from the DSM in the same year. Since that time, the APA has held the position that there is no rational basis, scientific or otherwise, to discriminate against or punish LGBT people.


https://www.psychiatry.org/news-room/apa-blogs/apa-blog/2016/03/homosexuality-as-a-mental-disorder-simply-not-backed-up-by-science

As far as changing one's sexual orientation is concerned, there is quite a lot of scientific data about that, too:


All major national mental health organizations have officially expressed concerns about therapies promoted to modify sexual orientation. To date, there has been no scientifically adequate research to show that therapy aimed at changing sexual orientation (sometimes called reparative or conversion therapy) is safe or effective. Furthermore, it seems likely that the promotion of change therapies reinforces stereotypes and contributes to a negative climate for lesbian, gay and bisexual persons. This appears to be especially likely for lesbian, gay, and bisexual individuals who grow up in more conservative religious settings.

Helpful responses of a therapist treating an individual who is troubled about her or his same sex attractions include helping that person actively cope with social prejudices against homosexuality, successfully resolve issues associated with and resulting from internal conflicts, and actively lead a happy and satisfying life. Mental health professional organizations call on their members to respect a person's (client's) right to self-determination; be sensitive to the client's race, culture, ethnicity, age, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, socioeconomic status, language and disability status when working with that client; and eliminate biases based on these factors.



http://www.apa.org/topics/lgbt/orientation.aspx


These studies show that enduring change to an individual’s sexual orientation is uncommon. The participants in this  body of research continued to experience same-sex attractions following SOCE and did not report significant change to  other-sex attractions that could be empirically validated, though some showed lessened physiological arousal to sexual stimuli. Compelling evidence of decreased same-sex sexual behavior and of engagement in sexual behavior with the  other sex was rare. Few studies provided strong evidence that any changes produced in laboratory conditions translated to daily life. Thus, the results of scientifically valid research indicate that it is unlikely that individuals will be able to  reduce same-sex attractions or increase other-sex sexual attractions through SOCE.

We found that there was some evidence to indicate that individuals experienced harm from SOCE. Early studies  documented iatrogenic effects of aversive forms of SOCE. These negative side effects included loss of sexual feeling,  depression, suicidality, and anxiety. High dropout rates characterized early aversive treatment studies and may be an  indicator that research participants experienced these treatments as harmful. Recent research reports on religious and nonaversive efforts indicate that there are individuals who perceive they have been harmed. Across studies, it is unclear  what specific individual characteristics and diagnostic criteria would prospectively distinguish those individuals who will  later perceive that they been harmed by SOCE.


http://www.apa.org/pi/lgbc/publications/therapeutic-response.pdf


efforts to change an individual’s orientation through so-called “conversion therapy” can and often do cause real harm. In fact, the risks associated with “conversion therapy” include depression, suicidality, anxiety, social isolation and decreased capacity for intimacy. For these reasons, the APA’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) does not classify people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender as intrinsically disordered.

After a review of scientific evidence, the APA determined that homosexuality is not a mental disorder in 1973 and removed it from the DSM in the same year. Since that time, the APA has held the position that there is no rational basis, scientific or otherwise, to discriminate against or punish LGBT people. Furthermore, we hold that encouraging the use of “conversion” or “reparative therapy” will only lead to coercive “treatments” and potentially even violence against LGBT people.


https://www.psychiatry.org/news-room/apa-blogs/apa-blog/2016/03/homosexuality-as-a-mental-disorder-simply-not-backed-up-by-science

"Clinicians should be aware that there is no evidence that sexual orientation can be altered through therapy, and that attempts to do so may be harmful. There is no empirical evidence adult homosexuality can be prevented if gender nonconforming children are influenced to be more gender conforming. Indeed, there is no medically valid basis for attempting to prevent homosexuality, which is not an illness. On the contrary, such efforts may encourage family rejection and undermine self-esteem, connectedness and caring, important protective factors against suicidal ideation and attempts. Given that there is no evidence that efforts to alter sexual orientation are effective, beneficial or necessary, and the possibility that they carry the risk of significant harm, such interventions are contraindicated."

Practice Parameter on Gay, Lesbian, or Bisexual Orientation, Gender Nonconformity, and Gender Discordance in Children and Adolescents.

"Confusion about sexual orientation is not unusual during adolescence. Counseling may be helpful for young people who are uncertain about their sexual orientation or for those who are uncertain about how to express their sexuality and might profit from an attempt at clarification through a counseling or psychotherapeutic initiative. Therapy directed specifically at changing sexual orientation is contraindicated, since it can provoke guilt and anxiety while having little or no potential for achieving changes in orientation."

Homosexuality and Adolescence, Pediatrics.

"[T]he association does not consider homosexuality a disorder that requires treatment, and as such, we see no basis for [reparative therapy]. AAMFT expects its members to practice based on the best research and clinical evidence available."

AAMFT Position on Couples and Families.

"The College opposes the use of “conversion,” “reorientation,” or “reparative” therapy for the treatment of LGBTQ persons."

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Health Disparities: Executive Summary of a Policy Position Paper From the American College of Physicians 


“The belief that same-sex attraction and behavior is abnormal and in need of treatment is in opposition to the position taken by national mental health organizations, including ACA. The ACA Governing Council passed a resolution in 1998 with respect to sexual orientation and mental health. This resolution specifically notes that ACA opposes portrayals of lesbian, gay and bisexual individuals as mentally ill due to their sexual orientation. . . . In 1999, the Governing Council adopted a statement ‘opposing the promotion of reparative therapy as a cure for individuals who are homosexual.’ . . .

[T]he ACA Ethics Committee strongly suggests that ethical professional counselors do not refer clients to someone who engages in conversion therapy or, if they do so, to proceed cautiously only when they are certain that the referral counselor fully informs clients of the unproven nature of the treatment and the potential risks and takes steps to minimize harm to clients. . . . This information also must be included in written informed consent material by those counselors who offer conversion therapy despite ACA’s position and the Ethics Committee’s statement in opposition to the treatment. To do otherwise violates the spirit and specifics of the ACA Code of Ethics.”


Ethical Issues Related to Conversion or Reparative Therapy.

"Our AMA… opposes, the use of 'reparative' or 'conversion' therapy that is based upon the assumption that homosexuality per se is a mental disorder or based upon the a priori assumption that the patient should change his/her homosexual orientation."

H-160.991, Health Care Needs of the Homosexual Population.


... In 1997 APA produced a fact sheet on homosexual and bisexual issues, which states that “there is no published scientific evidence supporting the efficacy of “reparative therapy” as a treatment to change one’s sexual orientation.” 

The potential risks of “reparative therapy” are great and include depression, anxiety, and self-destructive behavior, since therapist alignment with societal prejudices against homosexuality may reinforce self-hatred already experienced by the patient. Many patients who have undergone “reparative therapy” relate that they were inaccurately told that homosexuals are lonely, unhappy individuals who never achieve acceptance or satisfaction. The possibility that the person might achieve happiness and satisfying interpersonal relationships as a gay man or lesbian are not presented, nor are alternative approaches to dealing with the effects of societal stigmatization discussed... 

Therefore, APA opposes any psychiatric treatment, such as “reparative” or “conversion” therapy, that is based on the assumption that homosexuality per se is a mental disorder or is based on the a priori assumption that the patient should change his or her homosexual orientation. 


Position Statement on Psychiatric Treatment and Sexual Orientation).

Moreover, transgender people are not mentally disturbed, as the medical experts also state:


A psychological state is considered a mental disorder only if it causes significant distress or disability. Many transgender people do not experience their gender as distressing or disabling, which implies that identifying as transgender does not constitute a mental disorder. For these individuals, the significant problem is finding affordable resources, such as counseling, hormone therapy, medical procedures and the social support necessary to freely express their gender identity and minimize discrimination. Many other obstacles may lead to distress, including a lack of acceptance within society, direct or indirect experiences with discrimination, or assault. These experiences may lead many transgender people to suffer with anxiety , depression or related disorders at higher rates than nontransgender persons.

According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), people who experience intense, persistent gender incongruence can be given the diagnosis of "gender dysphoria." Some contend that the diagnosis inappropriately pathologizes gender noncongruence and should be eliminated. Others argue that it is essential to retain the diagnosis to ensure access to care. The International Classification of Diseases (ICD) is under revision and there may be changes to its current classification of intense persistent gender incongruence as "gender identity disorder."



http://www.apa.org/topics/lgbt/transgender.aspx


In the last couple of decades, many medical institutions have moved away from the view that being transgender is the result of mental illness, as they previously did with homosexuality. Still, stigma persists, and some of the most influential medical bibles, including the WHO's International Classification of Diseases (ICD), continue to categorize a transgender diagnosis as a diagnosis of mental disorder.

Now, a new study published Tuesday in the journal The Lancet Psychiatry adds nuance to the topic, finding that the social rejection and violence that many transgender people experience appears to be the primary source of their mental distress, as opposed to the distress being solely the result of being transgender. That distinction matters because it has implications for how transgender people are treated in a healthcare setting, as well as how they are viewed in society.

The authors of the study argue that being transgender might be better classified as a condition related to sexual health, in the next edition of the WHO's ICD. They also note that this is the first field study on the topic, which was led by Mexico's National Institute of Psychiatry Ramón de le Fuente Muñiz, and that it is being replicated in several other countries such as Brazil and India.


http://time.com/4424589/being-transgender-is-not-a-mental-disorder-study/


Not all transgender people suffer from gender dysphoria and that distinction is important to keep in mind. Gender dysphoria and/or coming out as transgender can occur at any age.

The DSM-5  distinguishes between Gender Dysphoria in Childhood for those who experience GD before puberty. The diagnosis of Gender Dysphoria in Adolescents and Adults can occur at any age. For those who experience gender dysphoria later in life, they often report having secretly hidden their gender dysphoric feelings from others when they were younger.


https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/gender-dysphoria

I am quite certain that none of this will change the minds of the truly ignorant who prefer their delusions to scientific fact, but I am also quite certain that at least a few people might want to get REAL information from REAL experts, not the "experts" hired by biased groups like Focus on the Family, NARTH, National Organization for Marriage, etc., who only publish their "information" in publications that only require payment in order to publish an article, as opposed to credible publications that require peer review and verification in order to have research studies published.




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Phoenyx13
Sophomore Silent
1  Phoenyx13    7 years ago

well this will upset some sensitive people like usual....

 
 
 
Rex Block
Freshman Silent
1.1  Rex Block  replied to  Phoenyx13 @1    7 years ago

Won't upset me because it's way too long to read, and not relevant anyway.

 
 
 
Phoenyx13
Sophomore Silent
1.1.1  Phoenyx13  replied to  Rex Block @1.1    7 years ago
Won't upset me because it's way too long to read, and not relevant anyway.

that speaks volumes, thank you :)

 
 
 
Gordy327
Professor Expert
1.1.2  Gordy327  replied to  Phoenyx13 @1.1.1    7 years ago
that speaks volumes

What's that old saying about ignorance and bliss?

 
 
 
Habibertina
Freshman Quiet
1.1.3  Habibertina  replied to  Rex Block @1.1    7 years ago

Comment removed for skirting the CoC [ph]

 
 
 
Trout Giggles
Professor Principal
1.1.4  Trout Giggles  replied to  Habibertina @1.1.3    7 years ago

My mom used to tell me to look it up in the dictionary

dictionary.com

there's a resource

 
 
 
Gordy327
Professor Expert
2  Gordy327    7 years ago

An excellent article eginnj, as usual. It's well cited, thought out, and informative. 

 
 
 
Tessylo
Professor Principal
3  Tessylo    7 years ago

I'm just waiting for Comment removed for CoC violation [ph] of cos - say some nonsense like - if you were born with a Dick - you're a male.  

 
 
 
JBB
Professor Principal
3.1  JBB  replied to  Tessylo @3    7 years ago
Well, that certainly did not take long...
 
 

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