Mental Health Perspectives of Homosexuality

Abstract

Same sex feeling and behavior is not only prevalent across the humanrace, but also among almost all the nonhuman primates. Thismultidimensional nature of sexuality may not be always congruent in theindividual way of living leading to the complexity of these issues. Thesexual orientation is a continuous changing process throughout the lifeof an individual depending on the interpersonal issues and culturalvariations. Till mid-20th century, it was considered as an illness andefforts were made by the physician, psychiatrist, and psychologist totreat this and to change the individual's sexual orientation.Homosexuality was perceived as a form of sin and crime in a larger part ofthe society across the globe. Due to similar prevailing beliefs in India,same sex-oriented population in India are continued to be harassed andpunished by the police. In a recent order by the Supreme Court of India in Sept 2018, the section 377 of Indian Penal Code was decriminalized,which has brought a sigh of relief among the LGBT population.