Military drops homosexuality as "mental disorder"

[sdrawkcab m'i]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20060628...4yBHNlYwNmYw--

WASHINGTON (AFP) - Homosexuality was listed in error as a "mental disorder" in a 1996 Defense Department directive and will be removed from the document, a Pentagon spokesman said.

"Homosexuality should not have been characterized as a mental disorder in the appendix of a procedural instruction," the Pentagon said in a statement. "A clarification will be issued over the next few days."

Members of Congress demanded that the document be withdrawn after it was brought to light earlier this month by The Center for the Study of Sexual Minorities in the Military at the University of California at Santa Barbara.

The document is a "Department of Defense Instruction" on physical disability evaluation dated November 14, 1996.

It lists "homosexuality" under "certain mental disorders" along with such conditions as alcoholism, mental retardation and sexual gender and identity disorders.

Lieutenant Colonel Jeremy Martin said listing homosexuality as a mental disorder, although mistaken, only ruled it out as a physical disability for the purposes of separation or retirement from the military, and had no other practical effect.

But, he said, the document "is going to be revised to eliminate the word (homosexual) because it shouldn't have been there in the first place."

The American Psychiatric Association declassified homosexuality as a mental disorder in 1973.

The Pentagon in 1993 adopted a policy of "don't ask, don't tell" policy with regards to gays in the military under which servicemembers are discharged if they make public their homosexuality.

Last year, 726 servicemembers were forced to leave the military for homosexuality.

[oberon]

I just signed a petition against the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell, Don't Pursue" policy in the military. It's a ridiculous policy of discrimination that has cost millions of dollars, good soldiers their jobs, and our country much needed protection.

[NothingLikeAVigin]

Originally Posted by oberon

I just signed a petition against the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell, Don't Pursue" policy in the military. It's a ridiculous policy of discrimination that has cost millions of dollars, good soldiers their jobs, and our country much needed protection.

high five dude you rock i wish there was more people like you

[sum1special313]

Honestly, I always wondered, just what does sexual preference have to do with your ability to perform the job???

[*untouchable*]

sexual preference should have nothing to do with your job and neither should gender...as long as you can get the job done - thats all that matters.
I'm sure Americans would rather have a homosexual that has a great sniper shot over a straight guy who couldn't hit the broad side of a barn...

[LadyBug02]

I think the reason why they have the don't ask don't tell policy is because of the impact it would have on the morale of other soldiers if they knew that one of the soldiers in their platoon was gay. For some, it might have a significant effect on their morale. This is, of course, sad but it's true.

[oberon]

Originally Posted by LadyBug02

I think the reason why they have the don't ask don't tell policy is because of the impact it would have on the morale of other soldiers if they knew that one of the soldiers in their platoon was gay. For some, it might have a significant effect on their morale. This is, of course, sad but it's true.

This is becoming less of an issue now that more and more people know someone who is openly gay... usually someone within their own family. It's easy to discriminate (or hate) a faceless individual, but it's much harder when it's your own relative or friend.

[xoxoKahluaxoxo]

i agree that it is discrimination, but i also think that it could be dangerous... i am best friends with people of different sexual preferences... but i know some people who do not tolerate it at all. I don't know how the work environment would be, let alone hate crimes. I mean if someone is in the military that means they already have the willingness to fight, and if they are prejudiced then it might be a bad situation.
thats just my opinion

[SexySass69]

There is a serious problem with our military today. I support the soldiers 110% but the administration and its bigoted opinions leave me feeling frustrated. Tolerance, it's something that people don't really learn to use in their every day lives. The lack of this trait in common people is disturbing. America is supposedly a great melting pot of all sorts of different people and yet our military administration continues to discriminate against people of differing sexual orientations.

Does it really matter that someone loves a person of the same gender? Their private life does not in any way lessen their capabilities to do their job well. As for the morale of their fellow soldiers, I believe that this is a load of crap. I am not sure that I want someone fighting for this country if they cannot put aside the sexual orientation of another and value them as a human being and brother in arms.

Liberty and justice for all... but I guess some people don't count in that sentiment unless we make it our priority to change the way things are.

[LadyBug02]

It's about time! Now maybe they'll remove the don't ask don't tell policy.