It is even more frightening (though perhaps less deeply disturbing) with regard to sexual orientation. If members of the LGBTQ community have their way, then the traditional family structure which is critical to the stability of our society will be challenged and will potentially collapse. There must always be one father and one mother to raise a child. Any variant on this fundamental premise is unacceptable. The deviation is even more threatening, for these men and women seek to abuse our vulnerable children both physically and mentally. Members of the LGBTQ community are intent upon “preying” on those in our society who are looking up to adults as trusted role models. Isolation in prisons might be required for these even more extreme deviations.
We still are not done. Advocates for a third assumptive world enter the dialogue. Those who are “queer” should not be faulted. They are simply victims of a “disease.” There is something wrong with their genes, their hormonal system or their neo-natal development. It is simply not “right” that anyone is confused about their sexual orientation or, more profoundly, their gender identity. We should not shame these “queer” people nor should they be ostracized. Rather, they should be medically treated. With the proper medication or perhaps surgical intervention, we can do something to alleviate the disorder. In this way we are being profoundly humane (but wrong).
Even advocates of our other assumptive world, that views psychopathy as a blockage of energy or clarity regarding reality can enter the dialogue regarding homosexuality and gender identity diffusion. While many Asian cultures are tolerant regarding sexual and gender orientation, there is still the lingering sense that somehow there is something wrong with the way in which energy is accumulated and engaged in matters of human sexuality or there is a distortion in one’s orientation toward their own identity or the more general reality of gender and sexuality. We don’t necessarily have to do anything about this disorder—but should recognize that it is not part of the “normal” state of nature and humankind.
How then does DSM enter the picture, given these differing, long-standing and often passionately advocated perspectives on sexual-orientation and gender identity? First, it should be noted that DSM enters this fray with caution and considerable confusion. There is no other area of DSM that is fraught with as much controversy as the matter of sexual orientation and gender identity. Fundamentally, it is a matter of determining whether any form of being “queer” or gender neutral is to be included in a DSM manual. The pathology might reside not in the individual who is “queer” or gender neutral, but rather in the society that treats this person in a manner that is profoundly biased and often fundamentally inhumane. Perhaps we need a DSM that focuses on societal pathologies, rather than just personal pathologies.
