Psychiatry, psychology, and homosexuality

Ellen Herman

Ellen Herman makes an account of the changes in mainstream psychiatry and psychology concerning issues of homosexuality. She traces the treatment of homosexuality back to WW2 when a surprising percent of enlisted men were in fact gay, and the policy set down by legislature banned homosexuals from the military. She then accounts for Freud's theory of the oedipal complex and his testimony that homosexuality is normal in both men and women. Herman suggest that psychiatry and psychology are comprised of many different factions and protocols that comprise of the Psychological Society in general. It seems from counseling issues to internal conflict, to religious presumptions and political appeal the history of what took place that helped the APA determine that homosexuality is not an illness was based on heated discussions, protest and controversy. The statement that homosexuality is normal has been interpreted by varying professional to be interpreted with varying view points of cause and effect. Herman makes note of the Kinsley report that showed that ten percent of the population is homosexual, and also his testimony that homosexuality is normal. The liberation of the Gay and Lesbian movement is effective only in as much as it is able to provide help, and help themselves in what seems to be a preconceived bias and prejudice. Ellen accounts for the APA by saying that the work changes with the onslaught of AIDS and the discussions pertaining to homophobia. It seems that it is a fact the Gay liberation is a movement that evolves over time, like the turning of the wheel that provides power to those who utilize it's energy, spirit and force. **Psychiatry, Psychology and homosexuality** is a reinforcement of the APA's decision to eliminate homosexuality as a class of mental illness, it is also highly effective in positively reinforcing the notion that reparative therapy is both ineffective and unethical.