The history of LGBTQ psychology from Stonewall to now, with Peter Hegarty, PhD

Podcast Summary

• Celebrating LGBTQ Pride Month and the Evolution of Psychological Research on Sexual Minorities: Psychological research has shaped societal discussions on LGBTQ rights, contributing to court decisions and advocacy efforts, while also facing criticism for hindering progress.

  June's LGBTQ Pride Month marks the celebration of LGBTQ culture and advocacy for their rights, with this year's focus on threats to transgender youth. Psychological research has evolved alongside these social changes, contributing to public discussions on prejudice and discrimination against sexual minorities. The field has both helped and hindered the drive towards equality, especially in the US, and played a significant role in court decisions. Doctor Peter Hegarty, a professor of psychology at the Open University, has traced the history of psychological research on these issues since the 1970s in his book and a special journal issue. This period, marked by social justice movements and a shift in cultural norms, was a turning point in how psychology regarded sexual minorities.

• Protests and Activism Changed Psychology's View on Homosexuality: Activism and protests led to the removal of homosexuality as a mental disorder from the DSM in the 1980s, but the fight for acceptance continued.

  The history of psychology, particularly in relation to sexual orientation, is marked by significant shifts in consciousness and activism. The American Psychological Association (APA) saw protests in the 1970s, similar to those at the American Psychiatric Association, due to questions about psychology's role in addressing gender and racial injustice. The debate around homosexuality as a mental disorder began in psychiatry in the 1950s, with the first codes written for the military, leading to exclusion of gay men. The DSM, initially psychoanalytic, came under question in the 1970s, and activists like Barbara Gittings and Frank Kameny targeted the APA and the DSM, leading to a member vote in 1973 to remove homosexuality as a mental illness. The process involved protests, direct action, and some sympathetic psychiatrists. The removal of homosexuality as a mental disorder from the DSM came in the 1980 version, but the fight for acceptance was far from over. This history highlights the impact of activism and social change on the field of psychology.

• Challenging the stereotype of homosexuality as a mental illness: Two researchers, Alfred Kinsey and Evelyn Hooker, challenged the belief that homosexuality was a mental illness by debunking stereotypes and providing scientific evidence. Their work contributed to its removal from the DSM and ICD.

  For decades, homosexuality was considered a mental illness by the psychiatric community, as evidenced by its inclusion in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) and the International Classification of Diseases (ICD). However, this perspective was largely based on self-fulfilling prophecies and stereotypes, rather than scientific evidence. Two notable figures who challenged this consensus were Alfred Kinsey and Evelyn Hooker. Kinsey, a bisexual researcher, aimed to debunk stereotypes about homosexuality by studying individuals outside of urban areas and finding that homosexuality existed in various forms and among diverse populations. Hooker, an experimental psychologist, conducted a groundbreaking study using the Rorschach test, which revealed no difference in responses between gay and straight men. Her findings were significant because they challenged the belief that homosexuality was a distinct personality type, and highlighted the importance of considering individual differences rather than relying on stereotypes. Overall, the work of Kinsey and Hooker, along with other researchers, contributed to the eventual removal of homosexuality from the DSM and ICD as a mental illness.

• Challenging the Flawed Diagnostic Model for Homosexuality: Dr. Evelyn Hooker's research debunked the myth of significant differences between homosexual and heterosexual individuals on the Rorschach test, challenging the deficit model and paving the way for a more humanistic approach to mental health.

  Dr. Evelyn Hooker challenged the status quo in psychology by turning the lens of expert reasoning on itself and exposing the deficit model used to diagnose homosexuality as flawed. Her groundbreaking research in the 1950s and 1960s showed no significant differences between homosexual and heterosexual individuals on the Rorschach inkblot test. This discovery challenged the established beliefs of the American Psychological Association (APA) and paved the way for a more humanistic approach to mental health. However, sexism and heterosexism have continued to influence how mental health professionals view LGBTQ+ individuals, and it's essential to recognize their interconnectedness. The Ehrman Center, a community-based project set up in the 1970s, advocated for affirmative counseling grounded in lived experiences and humanistic values, offering a more effective approach to addressing mental health needs. Overall, Dr. Hooker's work demonstrates the importance of questioning established norms and embracing more inclusive, humanistic approaches to mental health.

• Understanding mental health through diverse perspectives: The importance of considering diverse experiences and perspectives in mental health research and services.

  The personal experience of mental health can have limitations when it comes to understanding and addressing the needs of diverse populations, as seen during the Center for Mental Health Services' engagement with individuals who are not white, younger generations, transgender, or immigrants. This highlights the importance of considering various perspectives and experiences when defining mental health. During the AIDS epidemic in the 1980s, there was a significant shift in research focus, moving from a solely biological approach to addressing the mental health implications and community-based responses. This change in perspective led to increased funding opportunities and a more productive relationship between psychology and organizations like the National Institute of Mental Health. Ultimately, this period helped to mainstream the LGBTQ+ community and demonstrate their impact in addressing public health crises.

• HIV AIDS impacted LGBT research, particularly bisexuality: HIV AIDS funding led to a shift in research focus towards men, resulting in underrepresentation and underfunding of bisexuality and other LGBT populations.

  HIV AIDS played a significant role in shifting the perspective of psychologists towards a less heterosexist approach, particularly in funding and research on LGBT populations, with a peak in the 1990s. However, after the availability of treatments for HIV AIDS, funding and research on LGBT populations, particularly bisexuality, saw a decline. Despite early work and conversations with feminism, research became more focused on men due to HIV AIDS funding dominance. Bisexuality, as a part of the LGBTQ community, has been historically underresearched and overlooked. Despite early work and efforts to include bisexuality in research and academic institutions, the lack of research and representation continues to be a problem. Kinsey, a pioneer in sexual research, is an example of a bisexual figure whose contributions are not fully recognized due to the focus on sexual behavior rather than identity.

• Exploring Sexual Fluidity and Complexity of Sexual Orientation: APA research debunks stereotypes, highlighting similarities between same-sex and mixed-sex relationships, normalizing LGBTQ+ individuals as ordinary people

  The idea of sexual fluidity and the complexity of sexual orientation have been explored extensively in research, challenging the dominant narratives and stereotypes. The American Psychological Association (APA) has played a significant role in advancing LGBTQ+ rights through psychological research, particularly in the context of marriage equality in the US. The research shows that same-sex and mixed-sex relationships have more similarities than differences, debunking the fantasies on both the left and right wings. The groundbreaking work of researchers in the field has contributed to normalizing LGBTQ+ people as ordinary individuals with diverse experiences, rather than angels or monsters in the societal imagination.

• The Debate Over Marriage Equality in the LGBTQ+ Rights Movement: Psychological research influenced the push for marriage equality, but the belief that it's the right thing to do is the core argument. Critics argue that the focus on marriage overshadowed other issues, and the journey towards recognition varies across countries.

  The push for marriage equality in the LGBTQ+ rights movement in the US was a significant development, influenced by psychological research and the desire for legal recognition of long-term, loving relationships. However, some critics argue that the focus on marriage overshadowed other pressing issues within the community. The debate around marriage equality extends beyond the US, with countries like the UK and Ireland having their own unique histories and experiences. Ultimately, while psychological research played a role, the argument for marriage equality rests on the belief that it is the right thing to do. The stories of pioneers like Sue Wilkinson and Celia Kissinger in the UK illustrate the long journey towards recognition and the importance of persisting in the face of setbacks.

• The power of deep conversations in driving social change: Deep conversations can lead to more lasting change on social issues than relying solely on research and proof. Personal outreach and engagement are crucial in creating meaningful change.

  Deep, face-to-face conversations can lead to more lasting change on social issues than relying solely on research and proof. This was evident in Ireland's successful campaign for marriage equality, which involved personal outreach to every household, compared to Slovenia's unsuccessful referendum where such engagement was lacking. In the realm of psychology, research by Fabio Fasoli and colleagues at the University of Surrey revealed discrimination against women with "lesbian-sounding" voices during hiring decisions. This discrimination was stronger against women than men, despite men believing their voices communicate their sexual orientation more than women do. These findings underscore the importance of genuine, sustained engagement in creating meaningful change.

• Women have stronger gaydar abilities than men: Despite misconceptions, women exhibit stronger gaydar abilities than men. However, societal discrimination against lesbians in leadership roles persists, highlighting the importance of recognizing both gender stereotyping and societal values in understanding discrimination against LGBT individuals.

  The stereotype of gaydar being a male-only phenomenon is a misconception. A study revealed that women exhibit stronger gaydar abilities than men. However, the stereotyping and discrimination against lesbians in leadership roles persist, leading to their perceived incompetence. This finding highlights the importance of considering both gender stereotyping and the societal value placed on being straight when examining discrimination against LGBT individuals. The concept of "coming out," which originated in LGBT culture, offers a way to understand the relationship between an individual and shame. It has become a common term used to describe revealing any personal aspect of oneself that may be met with shame or disapproval. Psychology as a whole can learn from the history of LGBT psychology, as it has provided valuable insights into the human experience beyond the LGBT community.

• The LGBT community's impact on understanding irrational biases: The LGBT community's struggles and achievements have introduced valuable concepts like 'homophobia' to challenge irrational biases and prejudices against marginalized groups.

  The LGBT community has significantly influenced the way we think about societal relationships with the psyche, particularly in relation to disclosure and secrecy. This perspective, rooted in LGBT culture, has given us valuable concepts such as "phobia" to describe irrational prejudices. The term "homophobia" originated during the Stonewall uprising in the 1960s, and it has since expanded to describe any form of irrational fear or prejudice. This linguistic gift allows us to recognize that prejudices against marginalized groups may be entirely irrational. The LGBT community, through their struggles and achievements, has given us a new way to understand and challenge irrational biases. Furthermore, it's interesting to note that even figures like Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump have used the term "phobia" to describe various prejudices, acknowledging the intellectual debt the LGBT movement has left on our society.