December 15, 1973 - Mental Disorders List

American Psychiatric Association removes homosexuality from mental disorders list. Only after a literature review and consultation process did the American Psychiatric Association’s (APA’s) board of trustees pass a resolution that removed homosexuality from its list of mental disorders on December 15, 1973. “Homosexuality by itself does not necessarily constitute a psychiatric disorder,” the APA explained. A number of psychoanalysts petitioned for a referendum to overturn the board’s decision, but 58 per cent supported the change. While the board’s decision was unanimous (two members abstained), board members rejected a task force’s recommendation to declare homosexuality "a normal variant of human sexuality." The board also passed a resolution that called for an end to "cruel" discrimination and a repeal of "irrational" laws that discriminated against homosexuals. The APA was not the first medical or psychological body to make such a change, but it was likely the most significant body to do so at the time.

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