Yes, she's strange and different...but not THAT different.

20 June 2006

Homosexuality a defect?

An article on MSNBC titled Pentagon memo: Homosexuality a defect makes for some interesting reading. But it's the Pentagon, so what do you expect? They're always at least a couple of decades behind.

[Update 28 June 2006]: From SDLN's The Frontlines blog comes this news:
The instruction will now reflect, along with all other Pentagon materials, the APA-accepted stance, adopted in 1973, that lesbian, gay & bisexual orientation is decidedly not a mental disorder.
Of course, transgendered folks are (still) not mentioned.

[Update 30 June 2006]: From Pam's House Blend:
When a reporter asked White House spokesbot Tony Snow about the Pentagon's recent decision to stop classifying homosexuality as a mental disorder -- and whether this had any impact on DADT, Tony turned on the Bob and Weave Machine. Big surprise.
Check it out.

  • On 6/20/2006 12:09 PM, Blogger DeniseUMLaw said…

    Just to be perfectly clear, the document referenced is NOT the Pentagon's policy on homosexuality. This is an outdated reference in a *physical disabilities* policy that states that mental disorders are not covered by the policy -- and then does list homosexuality as one of those disorders not covered. However, the actual mental health policies reference the DSM IV as the controlling authority on mental health (and disorders) which excludes homosexuality. I'm pretty sure the inclusion on that list is a holdover from the days when it *was* considered a mental disorder and was overlooked because no one thought to check out the policy on physical disabilities when it was removed. I believe this media attention will help them to quietly change the policy.

     
  • On 6/20/2006 12:24 PM, Blogger Jami said…

    Thanks for the clarification. I sincerely hope they change the policy. Of course, I'd like to see DADT done away with, too.

     
  • On 6/21/2006 11:01 AM, Blogger DeniseUMLaw said…

    You're welcome El. ;)

    Jami, I completely agree. I think they will change the outdated language. I just hope they repeal that stupid DADT law!!!

    I'm doing my best to make it happen! :)

     
  • On 6/30/2006 8:59 AM, Blogger DeniseUMLaw said…

    You know WHY T-folk are not mentioned don't you? First, we're not mentioned because the DADT law is silent as to trans-folk (and we certainly don't want to change that!), but moreover it's because the military considers transsexualism to be a mental disorder and will discharge under a medical code. Also, the military will NOT allow a trans person to enter into the military if they know the person is trans (as they would anyone who is post-op or on hormones) whereas they will let you into the service if they know you're gay.

     

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