by Jennifer Matos

WASHINGTON – June 21, 2006 Over 30 years ago, the American Psychiatric Association removed homosexuality from its official manual of mental and emotional disorders. In 1975, both the APA and the American Psychological Association were in agreement on the issue and passed a resolution that resulted in the removal of homosexuality in official manuals. During the past three decades, both mental health organizations have called upon mental health professionals to disassociate homosexuality and mental illness.

A different organization says otherwise. That organization would be the Pentagon. A document by the Pentagon outlining retirement and other discharge policies, specifically has a section that classifies homosexuality, personality disorders and mental retardation as defects.

The Pentagon already supports the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy. “Don’t ask, don’t tell” prohibits military agencies from inquiring about the sexual orientation of service members, but requires openly gay soldiers to be discharged from service.

Opponents of the document claim that the Pentagon text only contributes to further anti-gay harassment. On Monday, lawmakers wrote a letter to Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, asking for a thorough review of all documents and policies. Members of Congress pointed out that there are other Pentagon regulations regarding mental health and these do not include homosexuality on their lists of psychological disorders. The letter to Rumsfeld asks that Pentagon documents and policies reflect the same standards. According to Pentagon spokesman Lt. Col. Jeremy M. Martin, the policy document is under review.
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