The Complicated Question Of Diagnosing Transgender Identities
By Zack Ford on Dec 4, 2012 at 12:44 pm
http://thinkprogress.org/lgbt/2012/12/04/1278791/the-complicated-question-of-diagnosing-transgender-identities/?mobile=nc (http://thinkprogress.org/lgbt/2012/12/04/1278791/the-complicated-question-of-diagnosing-transgender-identities/?mobile=nc)
A number of ThinkProgress readers have expressed concern over Monday's widely-shared post, "APA Revises Manual: Being Transgender Is No Longer A Mental Disorder," about the American Psychiatric Association's decision to revise the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) to reclassify "Gender Identity Disorder" (GID) as "Gender Dysphoria." A prominent LGBT scholar called the headline "erroneous," noting that as long as a designation exists in the DSM, trans identities are still treated as a disorder. One trans advocate pointed out that "Gender Dysphoria" still stigmatizes trans people because there's no exit clause to the diagnosis. Another activist shared a letter (Ansara, et al) that she and others submitted to the APA criticizing much of its framing around trans identities and providing possible alternatives. One other trans health activist called the article "a bit of a pinkwash" — essentially an attempt to give the APA more credit than it deserves.
As a cisgender (not trans) gay male who edits ThinkProgress's LGBT vertical, I assume a heightened responsibility to report on trans issues effectively and thoroughly. For all members of the LGBT community, there are many issues that impact us in very personal and unique ways, resulting in many seemingly-conflicting points of view that all have validity. Many of the points submitted by readers have such merit, and the continued discussion seems an apt opportunity to further explore the complexity of anti-trans stigma and the potential impact of the APA's decision.