On December 15, 1973, at a time when society often still views gay people as deviants, the American Psychiatric Association reverses a century-old decision, issuing a resolution stating that homosexuality it neither a mental illness nor a sickness. To underline the point, the association removes homosexuality from its influential reference tool, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.
The APA stated in its resolution: “We will no longer insist on a label of sickness for individuals who insist that they are well and demonstrate no generalized impairment in social effectiveness.” The statement also pledged APA support for civil rights legislation that would provide “homosexual citizens the same protections now guaranteed to others.” At the time, the majority of U.S. states still held anti-sodomy laws, and uncloseted homosexuals risked losing their jobs and housing, as well as family and community acceptance.
