Nosological Status of Homosexuality

Abstract

In 1973, the second edition of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual by the American Psychiatric Association (APA) had removed homosexuality asa diagnosis. This step changed the perception about homosexuality andfacilitated the change of attitude of public towards it (from illness tonormal variant of sexuality). Multiple controversies and arguments haveoccurred throughout the history about the nosological status ofhomosexuality as an illness entity. This review shall describe its statusin different classificatory systems before and after 1973 along with anoverview of the multiple socio-political factors that resulted in declassificationof homosexuality from the classificatory systems inpsychiatry.