Monday, June 19, 2006

Defense Department Instruction Classifies Homosexuality as Mental Disorder

(AP) A Pentagon document calls homosexuality a mental disorder over 40 years after the medical profession abandoned that position. Homosexuality is listed alongside mental retardation and personality disorders in a policy on physical defects, retirement and discharge options. A Pentagon spokesman said the policy is under review.

Is it a remnant from the past having somehow missed the updating process? The American Psychiatric Association declassified homosexuality as a mental disorder in 1973. I understand government moves slowly, but for such a policy to be 43 years behind science brings to mind past religious foot dragging. It has a way to go to beat the Catholic Church and Galileo.

Or is it new wording set to spread and have a wider impact? Numerous initiatives around the country are working to restrict the rights of homosexuals. Arkansas just banned homosexual foster parents citing danger to “children’s moral and spiritual welfare”.

Does the military hope to ban homosexuals altogether from military service? Will states act to remove natural children born to homosexuals to protect the children? What is the plan, how far do they want to go? Is this step 1 of many or just an error? After watching the Texas Republican platform the last few years, my money is on step 1.

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