# Is Anybody Interested In What the Medical Profession Has to Say about Homosexuality? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [June 18, 2002, 2:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-anybody-interested-in-what-the-medical-profession-has-to-say-about-homosexuality/114635 "2002-06-18T02:36:08Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Jim\_B](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jim_b/32/4338_2.png) [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2002, 2:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-anybody-interested-in-what-the-medical-profession-has-to-say-about-homosexuality/114635/1 "2002-06-18T02:36:08Z")
I think it is safe to say that most of the people on these boards are open-minded when it comes to the subject of homosexuality. But it still sometimes surprises me how many people–not necessarily on these boards, understand–that are ignorant when it comes to the medical and psychological aspects of the condition. Anyways, I have already mentioned the _Merck Manual_ once before on the bboards (:_correct name_?). It is put out by the Merck Company as a medical manual by doctors for doctors. Alot of so-called laymen like it too. I have one and I think it’s great. Here is what it has to say about homosexuality: > [@](#): > > About 4 to 5% of the population are preferentially homosexual for their entire lives. Since 1973, the American Psychiatric Association has not considered homosexuality a disorder. Like heterosexuality, homosexuality results from complex biologic and environmental factors leading to an almost inevitable preference in the selection of a sexual partner. For most, it is not a matter of choice. Nevertheless, many people, including physicians, regard homosexuality as immoral and sinful, and a physician’s intense aversion to homosexuality (homophobia) may interfere with appropriate care of homosexuals. I thought that was worth sharing for anyone who didn’t already know that. The manual goes on to say that treatment for this condition is not indicated unless the person requests it. Even if the person requests to change his sexual identity and his motivation is high to do so–success in treatment is rare, the manual says. The _Merck Manual_ is now on the internet. You can read the article I just quoted [here](http://www.merck.com/pubs/mmanual/section15/chapter192/192a.htm) if you want. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![iampunha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/74df32/32.png) [@iampunha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iampunha)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2002, 2:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-anybody-interested-in-what-the-medical-profession-has-to-say-about-homosexuality/114635/2 "2002-06-18T02:43:39Z")
The Merck manual is as much a competent medical reference as a picture Bible is a relevant literary tool for ancient historical analysis. The only people I have seen cite it in discussions of any medical relevance were ignorant “christians” who … well, let’s just say they used “abomination unto God”, “unnatural act”, and “homosexual perversion” as buzzwords. I would not assign any importance to that manual if I were you. Or, for that matter, if I were anyone else:) At least it’s trying… ---
**Author:** ![CrankyAsAnOldMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crankyasanoldman/32/11670_2.png) [@CrankyAsAnOldMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CrankyAsAnOldMan)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2002, 3:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-anybody-interested-in-what-the-medical-profession-has-to-say-about-homosexuality/114635/3 "2002-06-18T03:05:34Z")
I guess I don’t get whether you think the Merck manual is saying a good thing or a bad thing. I also don’t think “the medical community” agrees on much. Even when the AMA or a more specialized community like the AAP comes out with some statement or policy, not all doctors agree, are on board, or give a fat rip. I can recall reading something where the AAP had issued an official policy on a new vaccine protocol, but several years later only about 50% of pediatricians were “complying” with it. So good or bad, I’d hardly find any written statement to be attributable to the medical profession as a whole. ---
**Author:** ![syncrolecyne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f08c70/32.png) [@syncrolecyne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/syncrolecyne)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2002, 4:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-anybody-interested-in-what-the-medical-profession-has-to-say-about-homosexuality/114635/4 "2002-06-18T04:34:49Z")
I don’t think the manual was taking some stand, only pointing out that some physicians are homophobes just like other people. I also believe the references to sexual identity were to transgendered people…which is a topic I am ignorant of but I venture to say is quite different from homosexuality. Gays still have a male sexual identity. ---
**Author:** ![syncrolecyne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f08c70/32.png) [@syncrolecyne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/syncrolecyne)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2002, 4:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-anybody-interested-in-what-the-medical-profession-has-to-say-about-homosexuality/114635/5 "2002-06-18T04:36:15Z")
Gay men I mean. Gay women have a female identity of course. Someone else can probably explain “Sexual identity” much better than I can. ---
**Author:** ![zen101](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/c68b51/32.png) [@zen101](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zen101)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2002, 4:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-anybody-interested-in-what-the-medical-profession-has-to-say-about-homosexuality/114635/6 "2002-06-18T04:39:50Z")
I heard that it cured cancer and could also cure or cause constipation. ---
**Author:** ![heresiarch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/278dde/32.png) [@heresiarch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/heresiarch)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2002, 7:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-anybody-interested-in-what-the-medical-profession-has-to-say-about-homosexuality/114635/7 "2002-06-18T07:10:03Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by zen101 \* > \*\*I heard that it cured cancer and could also cure or cause constipation. \*\* What, the Merck Manual or homosexuality? ---
**Author:** ![iampunha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/74df32/32.png) [@iampunha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iampunha)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2002, 10:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-anybody-interested-in-what-the-medical-profession-has-to-say-about-homosexuality/114635/8 "2002-06-18T10:36:13Z")
Well, if you shoved the Merck manual up your ass in manageable pieces, it might partially cure constipation. As for homosexuality…I’ll leave it to the reader’s imagination, but I personally wouldn’t want to have anal sex if I were constipated;) [sub]Okay, that was bad. I’m sorry:)[/sub]