Informed Conscience

What do medical experts say about homosexuality?

The vast majority of modern medical and scientific experts agree that:
  • Homosexuality is not a disorder. It is a normal variation of human sexuality.
  • Sexual orientation cannot be changed. An attempt to do so may be harmful.

The normalcy of homosexuality has been generally accepted by the greater scientific community for over 30 years - the American Psychiatric Association removed homosexuality as a mental disorder from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) in 1973.

Here’s how various professional organizations weigh in on the issue:

OrganizationProfessional MembershipIs homosexuality a disorder?Can sexual orientation be changed?
American Psychological Association150,000 psychologists 1
No 2No 3
American Psychiatric Association35,000 psychiatrists 4
No 5No 6
National Association for Research and Therapy of Homosexuality1,000 psychologists / psychiatrists 7
Yes 8Yes 9
American Medical Association300,000 physicians 10
No 11No 12
Catholic Medical Association10,000 physicians 13
Yes 14Yes 15

Notes

The American Psychological Association is the largest association of psychologists in the world. 16
The American Psychiatric Association is the oldest medical specialty society in the United States. 17
The American Medical Association is the largest group of physicians in the United States. 18

Additional Resources

Answers to Your Questions About Sexual Orientation and Homosexuality (American Psychological Association) (www.apa.org/pubinfo/answers.html)

APA Maintains Reparative Therapy Not Effective (American Psychiatric Association) (www.psych.org/pnews/99-01-15/therapy.html)


Sources
1 American Psychological Association website www.apa.org/about
2 American Psychological Association website www.apa.org/pubinfo/answers.html#mentalillness
3 American Psychological Association website www.apa.org/pubinfo/answers.html#cantherapychange
4 American Psychiatric Association website www.psych.org/about_apa
5 American Psychiatric Association website www.psych.org/psych_pract/copptherapyaddendum83100.cfm
6 American Psychiatric Association website www.psych.org/psych_pract/copptherapyaddendum83100.cfm
7 National Association for Research and Therapy of Homosexuality website www.narth.com/menus/history.html
8 National Association for Research and Therapy of Homosexuality website www.narth.com/menus/statement.html
9 National Association for Research and Therapy of Homosexuality website www.narth.com/menus/myths.html
10 Encyclopedia Britannica website www.britannica.com/eb/article-9006124
11 American Medical Association website www.ama-assn.org/apps/pf_new/pf_online?f_n=browse&doc=policyfiles/HnE/H-160.991.HTM
12 American Medical Association website www.ama-assn.org/apps/pf_new/pf_online?f_n=browse&doc=policyfiles/HnE/H-160.991.HTM
13 Catholic Medical Association website www.cathmed.org/aboutthecma/ourhistory.htm
14 Catholic Medical Association website www.cathmed.org/publications/homosexuality.htm
15 Catholic Medical Association website www.cathmed.org/publications/homosexuality.htm
16 American Psychological Association website www.apa.org/about
17 American Psychiatric Association website www.psych.org/pnews/01-01-05/apanih.html
18 American Medical Association website www.ama-assn.org/ama/pub/category/1810.html

©2007 Informed Conscience