Homosexuality definitions

My observation about the involuntary patient requires a further comment. Psychiatrists not only define what they consider unwanted behaviors as diseases, for example, self-abuse and homosexuality in the past, drug abuse and homophobia today they also define what they consider improved behaviors—produced, for example, by lobotomy, electroshock, or psychotropic drugs—as the results of treatments. In 1948 Paul Hoch (1902-1964), professor of psychiatry at Columbia University and the Commissioner of Mental Hygiene for New York State, explained the therapeutic effectiveness of physical treatments of mental illnesses as follows This brings us for a moment to a discussion of the brain damage produced by electroshock. Is a certain amount of brain damage not necessary in this type of treatment Frontal lobotomy indicates that improvement takes place by a definite damage of certain parts of... 

But these are not the only possible, or indeed actually existing, relationships between psychiatrists and patients, or priests and parishioners. Some of their relationships are, and were, wholly voluntary and mutually consensual. The discussion about the disease concept of homosexuality (and mental illness generally) narrows down to two questions, and our answers to them. First, should psychiatrists have the right to consider homosexuality a disease (however defined) I say Of course they should. If that concept helps them, they will be wealthier if it helps their patients, the patients will be happier. Second, should psychiatrists have the power, through alliance with the State, to impose their definition of homosexuality as a disease on unwilling clients I say Of course they should not. I have presented my reasons for this opinion elsewhere. ... 

By legal definition, every homosexual act is a sex crime. The homosexual is thus subject to the penalties of so-called sexual psychopath laws, and may be sentenced to indeterminate incarceration in a mental institution or in a special facility for sex criminals. Although this penalty is visited only upon a very small proportion of homosexuals, this negates neither its moral import nor its practical significance. 

By medical definition, every homosexual act is the symptom of a mental disease. The homosexual is thus subject also to the penalties of mental hygiene laws, and may be confined involuntarily in a mental hospital. In Massachusetts, for example, a person is considered a fit subject for involuntary mental hospitalization if he conducts himself in a manner which clearly violates the established laws, ordinances, conventions or morals of the community. Although homosexuals are rarely committed for their sexual con-... 

To be sure, psychopathic personality is a broad and treacherous term. But is it any more treacherous, or uncertain of definition, than terms like mental illness or addiction The notion of mental illness, central to the Durham rule and favored by Fortas, is assuredly more treacherous and vague than the concept of homosexuality. Similarly, the notion of addiction central to... 

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