In the 1950s, psychiatrists diagnosed all homosexuals with a mental illness, and the sickness label created new forms of oppression for gay people in America.
The sickness label was pervasive and seemingly inescapable. Until 1973, according to the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (the DSM), homosexuality was a mental disorder. In this first episode of Making Gay History’s “Dismantling a Diagnosis” miniseries, you’ll hear testimony from Eric Marcus’s archive describing this dangerous diagnosis and how the label affected the lives of LGBTQ people in the 1940s, ’50s and '60s. We also explore the crucial role of psychiatric pseudoscience in propagating misinformation about homosexuality. And through first-hand accounts recorded decades ago, you’ll hear from gay men and lesbians who were subjected to therapies or treatments aimed at “curing” their homosexuality. In the words of activist Morris Kight, “Imagine trying to burn out of your brain your love.”
Visit our episode webpage for additional resources and a transcript of the episode.
For exclusive Making Gay History bonus content, join our Patreon community.
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Guest Episode: Blindspot: The Plague in the Shadows: Mourning in America
Dismantling a Diagnosis: Episode 3: Out of the DSM & into the Present — A Conversation about LGBTQ+ Mental Health
Dismantling a Diagnosis: Episode 2: The Cure
Coming of Age During the 1970s: Chapter 6: Marching On
Coming of Age During the 1970s: Chapter 5: Thank You, Anita
Coming of Age During the 1970s: Chapter 4: Respectable
Coming of Age During the 1970s: Chapter 3: Family Ties
Coming of Age During the 1970s: Chapter 2: Fire Island and Other Stories
Coming of Age During the 1970s: Chapter 1: A Surge of Energy
Coming of Age During the 1970s: Preview
Guest Episode: Sidedoor: Lucy Hicks Anderson
Bonus: A Complicated Love Story
Season 11: Episode 6: Kathleen Boatwright
Season 11: Episode 5: Robert Bauman
Season 11: Episode 4: Urvashi Vaid
Season 11: Episode 3: Faygele Ben-Miriam
Season 11: Episode 2: Rev. Carolyn Mobley-Bowie
Season 11: Episode 1: Craig Rodwell
Season 11: Preview
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