(Click to read Pentagon document that lists homosexuality as a "mental disorder" alongside alcoholism and mental retardation. And click here to read the entire DOD document - the reference to homosexuality as a mental disorder is on page 88, you'll need to read page 87 too in order to understand the context.)
Associated Press
The Center for the Study of Sexual Minorities in the Military, at the University of California at Santa Barbara, uncovered the document and pointed to it as further proof that the military deserves failing grades for its treatment of gays.Fore more background, read the Report Cards on gays in the military just issued today by the Center for the Study of Sexual Minorities in the Military. The first report card deals with this specific issue.
Nathaniel Frank, senior research fellow at the center, said, "The policy reflects the department's continued misunderstanding of homosexuality and makes it more difficult for gays and lesbians to access mental health services."
The document, called a Defense Department Instruction, was condemned by medical professionals, members of Congress and other experts, including the American Psychiatric Association.
"It is disappointing that certain Department of Defense instructions include homosexuality as a 'mental disorder' more than 30 years after the mental health community recognized that such a classification was a mistake," said Rep. Marty Meehan, D-Mass.
