The American Psychoanalytic Association (APsaA) has issued a statement apologizing for its past views that pathologized homosexuality and transgender identities.
The statement read, in part, “In 1969, homosexuality was considered a mental illness and sexual orientation was conflated with gender identity by the mental health field. This led to many being coerced, either by force or choice, into traumatic and harmful methods to ‘cure’ homosexual desires and non-conforming gender identities. This belief also contributed to widespread discrimination and prejudice in housing, employment, healthcare, and in society at large.”
“Regrettably some of that era’s understanding of homosexuality and gender identity can be attributed to the American psychoanalytic establishment,” said APsaA President Lee Jaffe. “It is long past time to recognize and apologize for our role in the discrimination and trauma caused by our profession.”