WPA Position Statement on Gender Identity and Same-Sex Orientation, Attraction, and Behaviours
Background

Recent controversies in many countries suggest a need for clarity on same-sex orientation, attraction, and behaviour (formerly referred to as homosexuality).

Along with other international organisations, World Psychiatric Association (WPA) considers sexual orientation to be innate and determined by biological, psychological, developmental, and social factors.

Over 50 years ago, Kinsey et al (1948) documented a diversity of sexual behaviours among people. Surprisingly for the time, he described that for over 10% of individuals this included same-sex sexual behaviours.

Subsequent population research has demonstrated approximately 4% of people identify with a same-sex sexual orientation (e.g., gay, lesbian, and bisexual orientations). Another 0.5% identify with a gender identity other than the gender assigned at birth (e.g., transgender) (Gates 2011). Globally, this equates to over 250 million individuals.

Psychiatrists have a social responsibility to advocate for a reduction in social inequalities for all individuals, including inequalities related to gender identity and sexual orientation.

Despite an unfortunate history of perpetuating stigma and discrimination, it has been decades since modern medicine abandoned pathologising same-sex orientation and behaviour (APA 1980) The World Health Organization (WHO) accepts same-sex orientation as a normal variant of human sexuality (WHO 1992). The United Nations Human Rights Council (2012) values Lesbian Gay Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) rights. In two major diagnostic and classification systems (International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10) and DSM-5), same sex sexual orientation, attraction, and behaviour and gender identity are not seen as pathologies (WHO 1993, APA 2013).

There is considerable research evidence to suggest that sexual behaviours and sexual fluidity depend upon a number of factors (Ventriglio et al 2016). Furthermore, it has been shown conclusively that LGBT individuals show higher than expected rates of psychiatric disorders (Levounis et al 2012, Kalra et al 2015), and once their rights and equality are recognised these rates start to drop (Gonzales 2014, Hatzenbuehler et al 2009, 2012, Padula et al 2015)

People with diverse sexual orientations and gender identities may have grounds for exploring therapeutic options to help them live more comfortably, reduce distress, cope with structural discrimination, and develop a greater degree of acceptance of their sexual orientation or gender identity. Such principles apply to any individual who experiences distress relating to an aspect of their identity, including heterosexual individuals.

WPA believes strongly in evidence-based treatment. There is no sound scientific evidence that innate sexual orientation can be changed. Furthermore, so-called treatments of homosexuality can create a setting in which prejudice and discrimination flourish, and they can be potentially harmful (Rao and Jacob 2012). The provision of any intervention purporting to “treat” something that is not a disorder is wholly unethical.
Action

1. The World Psychiatric Association (WPA) holds the view that lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals are and should be regarded as valued members of society, who have exactly the same rights and responsibilities as all other citizens. This includes equal access to healthcare and the rights and responsibilities that go along with living in a civilised society.

2. WPA recognises the universality of same-sex expression, across cultures. It holds the position that a same-sex sexual orientation per se does not imply objective psychological dysfunction or impairment in judgement, stability, or vocational capabilities.

3. WPA considers same-sex attraction, orientation, and behaviour as normal variants of human sexuality. It recognises the multi-factorial causation of human sexuality, orientation, behaviour, and lifestyle. It acknowledges the lack of scientific efficacy of treatments that attempt to change sexual orientation and highlights the harm and adverse effects of such “therapies”.

4. WPA acknowledges the social stigma and consequent discrimination of people with same-sex sexual orientation and transgender gender identity. It recognises that the difficulties they face are a significant cause of their distress and calls for the provision of adequate mental health support.

5. WPA supports the need to de-criminalise same–sex sexual orientation and behaviour and transgender gender identity, and to recognise LGBT rights to include human, civil, and political rights. It also supports anti-bullying legislation; anti-discrimination student, employment, and housing laws; immigration equality; equal age of consent laws; and hate crime laws providing enhanced criminal penalties for prejudice-motivated violence against LGBT people.

6) WPA emphasises the need for research on and the development of evidence-based medical and social interventions that support the mental health of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals

References

1. American Psychiatric Association (1980). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (3rd edition). Washington, DC: APA.
2. American Psychiatric Association (2013). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) (5th edition). Washington, DC: APA.
3. Gates GJ (2011). How many people are lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender? Accessed March 4, 2016. Available at: http://williamsinstitute.law.ucla.edu/wp-content/uploads/Gates-How-Many-People-LGBT-Apr-2011.pdf
4. Gonzales, G (2014). Same-sex marriage — a prescription for better health. New England Journal of Medicine 370: 1373-1376.
5. Hatzenbuehler ML, Keyes KM, Hasin D. (2009). State-level policies and psychiatric morbidity in lesbian, gay and bisexual populations. American Journal of Public Health, 99: 2275-2281.
6. Hatzenbuehler ML, O’Cleingh C, Grasso C, Meyer K, Safren S, Bradford J (2012). Effect of same sex marriage laws on health care use and expenditures in sexual minority men: a quasi-natural experiment. American Journal of Public Health, 102: 285-291.
7. Kalra G, Ventriglio A, Bhugra D (2015). Sexuality and mental health: issues and what next? International Review of Psychiatry, 27: 463-469.
8. Kinsey AC, Pomeroy CB, Martin CE (1948). Sexual Behavior in the Male. Bloomington, IN: Indiana University Press.
9. Levounis P, Drescher J, Barber ME (2012). The LGBT Casebook. Washington, DC: APA.
10. Padula William V, Heru S, Campbell JD (2015). Societal Implications of Health Insurance Coverage for Medically Necessary Services in the US Transgender Population: A Cost-Effectiveness Analysis. Journal of General Internal Medicine: 1-8.
11. Rao TSS, Jacob KS (2012). Homosexuality and India. Indian Journal of Psychiatry, 54: 1-3.
12. United Nations Human Rights Office of the High Commissioner (2012). Born Free and Equal: Sexual Orientation and Gender identity in International Human Rights Law. New York and Geneva: Office of the High Commissioner United Nations Human Rights; 2 Available from: http://www.ohchr.org/Documents/.....EqualLowRes.pdf. [Last accessed on 2013 Dec 31]
13. Ventriglio A, Kalra G, Bhugra D (2016). Sexual minorities and sexual fluidity. Discussion paper (available from authors).
14. World Health Organization (WHO) (1992). International Classification of Disease 10: Classification of Behavioural and Mental Disorders. Geneva: WHO.

The writing group was led by Professor Dinesh Bhugra and constituted Drs Kristen Eckstrand (USA), Petros Levounis (USA),Anindya Kar(India), Kenneth R Javate (Philippines)

i believe that everyone should be left alone to live their lives the way they want as long as you dont hurt anyone but still i hate homosexuality, you may say i am a homophobe i won't deny that

johnydon22:
i believe that everyone should be left alone to live their lives the way they want as long as you dont hurt anyone but still i hate homosexuality, you may say i am a homophobe i won't deny that

May i know why you hate homosexuals?

No morality in atheism.

akintom:

May i know why you hate homosexuals?

I hate the act, frankly put i am disgusted by homosexuality

Amberon11:
No morality in atheism.

No argument there, have you ever seen someone claim otherwise ?

That is a good thing?

johnydon22:
No argument there, have you ever seen someone claim otherwise ?

Amberon11:
That is a good thing?

It's neither good nor bad.

johnydon22:
It's neither good nor bad.

So homosexuality is not bad abi?

Amberon11:
No morality in atheism.

Exactly

felixomor:


So homosexuality is not bad abi?

read my discussion with him and see what we are talking about

johnydon22:
read my discussion with him and see what we are talking about

I would like u to Come out straight
Is it bad?
Yes or No

Dear Op

Homosexuality is one of the topics that brings out the hypocrisy of the so called "science advocates" who only quote science when they want to fight religion.

Firstly, homosexuality has been directly linked with so many diseases that has decimated human existence:
From HIV/Aids to Cancers of the Rectum, Mouth, Anus, Cervix, Human Papilloma Virus transmission etc
This alone is enough to oppose it
But all of a sudden, the so called science advocates have gone numb and silent.

Secondly, the rise of radical homosexuals who now claim they are born gay or with homosexuality in their genes is an insult to science itself.
As a result, some people now also claim they are born without gender
Last year John Hopkins Hospital a leading research institution came out with a study that cancelled that notion
The radical homosexuals even went as far as threatening John Hopkins scholars because of that study
This is shameful.

Despite these insults, the so called science advocates have gone loudly quiet on homosexuality.

Some even claim that homosexuality is observable among lower animals, and as a result its normal.
That is Another Insult
In same fallacious manner, We could as well say Cannibalism is normal, because we observe it among lower animals too.

In summary, homosexuality is bringing out the hypocrisy of many people who have claimed to be science advocates all the while.
Many only become "scientific" when they want to oppose religion.

felixomor:

I would like u to Come out straight
Is it bad?
Yes or No

He already answered: it's neither good nor bad. Why are u repeating questions like u have no ears.

frank317:


He already answered: it's neither good nor bad. Why are u repeating questions like u have no ears.

Sorry Ediort. Keep your obsession.
I didnt ask you.

check out this thread. the topic was thoroughly trashed here
https://www.nairaland.com/3814113/future-photos/1

johnydon22:
I hate the act, frankly put i am disgusted by homosexuality

so do you agree with the criminalization?

felixomor:


Sorry Ediort. Keep your obsession.
I didnt ask you.

And the award for Nairaland fool of all times goes to.....





Felixomor..on!!!!!!

Humanistme:


so do you agree with the criminalization?

Like Johnny, I hate the act... It's quite disgusting and is not inline with my sense of natural order of things...


However, I don't think they should be criminalised. They hurt no one so why hurt them.

Infact those of us who hate the act must learn to deal with the fact that some people like it. I don't think it's worth wasting our energy bothering about it.

frank317:


[s]And the award for Nairaland fool of all times goes to.....





Felixomor..on!!!!![/s]!

Eiya, dont be pained
Get a life,
Stop being a riff raff.

johnydon22:
I hate the act, frankly put i am disgusted by homosexuality

Do you think you can separate the hate for the act, from the actors?

felixomor:
Dear Op

Homosexuality is one of the topics that brings out the hypocrisy of the so called "science advocates" who only quote science when they want to fight religion.

Firstly, homosexuality has been directly linked with so many diseases that has decimated human existence:
From HIV/Aids to Cancers of the Rectum, Mouth, Anus, Cervix, Human Papilloma Virus transmission etc
This alone is enough to oppose it
But all of a sudden, the so called science advocates have gone numb and silent.

Secondly, the rise of radical homosexuals who now claim they are born gay or with homosexuality in their genes is an insult to science itself.
As a result, some people now also claim they are born without gender
Last year John Hopkins Hospital a leading research institution came out with a study that cancelled that notion
The radical homosexuals even went as far as threatening John Hopkins scholars because of that study
This is shameful.

Despite these insults, the so called science advocates have gone loudly quiet on homosexuality.

Some even claim that homosexuality is observable among lower animals, and as a result its normal.
That is Another Insult
In same fallacious manner, We could as well say Cannibalism is normal, because we observe it among lower animals too.

In summary, homosexuality is bringing out the hypocrisy of many people who have claimed to be science advocates all the while.
Many only become "scientific" when they want to oppose religion.

Your usual trash there!

akintom:

Your usual trash there!

I can see you have no meaningful response.

felixomor:


Sorry Ediort. Keep your obsession.
I didnt ask you.

from today I knight thee as ser Felix the halfwit
Rise!!

jonbellion:
from today I knight thee as ser Felix the halfwit
Rise!!

Oh so you now knight people?
I thought religion was useless to you?

Phoolish

jonbellion:
from today I knight thee as ser Felix the halfwit
Rise!!

Oh so you now knight people?
I thought religion was useless to you?

Confused & Phoolish

felixomor:


Oh so you now knight people?
I thought religion was useless to you?

Confused & Phoolish

aaand you think only the catholic and anglican churches grants knighthood, or that being knighted is exclusive for religious folk

jonbellion:
from today I knight thee as ser Felix the halfwit
Rise!!

Adding to that.... Rise ser felixomoron, and rule the kingdom of slept brains.

jonbellion:
aaand you think only the catholic and anglican churches grants knighthood, or that being knighted is exclusive for religious folk

Somebody is about to reveal his ignorance again

felixomor:


Somebody is about to reveal his ignorance again

.

felixomor:


Somebody is about to reveal his ignorance again

you've sucked on your asshole so much your brain is completely filled with fecal matter
Your case is beyond me man
Sorry

jonbellion:
you've sucked on your asshole so much your brain is completely filled with fecal matter
Your case is beyond me man
Sorry

Go and sleep
Ediort