Remove Crossdressing from the DSM-V

A petition to remove cross-dressing as a mental disorder is being submitted to the Sexual and Gender Identity Disorders Workgroup of the American Psychiatric Association (APA). Currently the APA considers individuals who crossdress to be suffering from "transvestic disorder"

Crossdressing should not be considered a mental disorder for a host of reasons. The diagnostic criteria operates on sexist and gender conformist principles. People who crossdress present no harm to themselves and/or others and are not conflicted about their desire to dress. The only distress associated with crossdressing is the unfair stigmatization that comes from a society that does not accept nor understand this behavior.

Sign the DSM-V petition demanding that the new APA manual remove 'transvestic disorder'

APA protest Over 'GID' – San Francisco, May 18

Protesters call for Reform of Gender Disorders at American Psychiatric Association Convention

What: San Francisco, California. A coalition of transgender community advocates and mental health providers will gather in San Francisco May 18 to protest how the American Psychiatric Association (APA) is handling revisions to “gender identity disorder” and related diagnoses in their fifth edition of the ‘Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders’ (DSM-V).

Where: At the corner of 4th Street and Howard Street –Outside the Moscone Center

When: Protest starts at 6:00pm, Monday May 18th

Who: Community leaders scheduled to speak include Julia Serano, PhD; Madeline Deutsch, MD; Masen Davis, MSW; Kelley Winters, PhD; Danielle Askini, MSW; Mara Keisling; Andrea James, MA; Lore Dickey, PhD; Michele Angello, PhD; and Rebecca Allison, MD.

Crossposted via Bird of Paradox.

Word of the Gay: "Ego-Dystonic Homosexuality"

"Ego-Dystonic Homosexuality" similar to "Sexual Orientation Disturbance" was another term used to be the American Psychological Association to describe people who were uncomfortable with their sexual orientation. The term was eliminated in 1987.

Word of the Gay: "Sexual Orientation Disturbance"

"Sexual Orientation Disturbance" was a term used by the American Psychological Association after eliminating homosexuality as a disease category. The new term was used to describe individuals who were disturbed, in conflict, or wished to alter their orientation. The antiquated term has since been eliminated, because the disturbance is not a result of the orientation itself, but of the way society treats people who are gay, lesbian, or bisexual.

Urge the APA to have More Trans-Affirming Representatives

GID Reform is urging professionals to contact the American Psychiatric Association. "There have been numerous criticisms in the professional literature and popular press that researchers and practitioners who are affirming of gender diversity and gender-variant people are under-represented in the current work group. It is essential that the APA recognize this limitation and open up the Sexual and Gender Identity Disorders Work Group to include other professionals representing broader clinical and research perspectives. Therefore, we ask trans-affirming professionals and clinicians to write the APA with specific recommendations for nomination to the Sexual and GID Work Group and advisory committee."

DSM-V Contact Information for the American Psychiatric Association

Online E-suggestion form for APA

We suggest mailing two signed letters on your letterhead to the DSM-V Task Force and Work Group Chairs at the following addresses:

David J. Kupfer, M.D., Chair, DSM-V Task Force
and Darrel A. Regier, M.D.,Vice Chair, DSM-V Task Force
in care of William E. Narrow, M.D., Research Director, DSM-V Task Force
American Psychiatric Association
1000 Wilson Boulevard
Suite 1825
Arlington, VA 22209

Kenneth J. Zucker, Ph.D.,
Chair, Sexual and GID Work Group, DSM-V Task Force
Child, Youth and Family Program
Centre for Addiction and Mental Health
250 College Street
Toronto, Ontario M5T 1R8

http://professionals.gidreform.org/index.html

Petition to get APA to Review Stance on Asexuality

The American Psychiatric Association is meeting to review their definition, standards and practices with regards to many topics. The two we are most interested in is Gender Identity and Sexuality. The following is a petition I created to get the APA to review their stance on Asexuality and not consider it a mental disorder. Asexual people are fully capable of living healthy and normal lives and should not be pathologized.

Asexual people and Allies please spread the word about the petition...

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/87/petition-for-apa-to-review-stance-on-asexuality

Objection to DSM-V Committee Members on "Gender Identity Disorders"

We are close to reaching 10,000 on the petition to remove Dr. Zucker, Blanchard, and Lawrence from the work group on Sexual and Gender Identity Disorders in the task force for preparing DSM-V, which will be the next version of the APA's diagnostic manual. Read more about the reason these transphobic doctors need to be removed here.

Please click here to sign the petition!

Petition to get Transphobic Docs Off the DSM - V Committee

As discussed earlier the American Psychiatric Committee is reviewing their policies and standards on issues such as "Gender Identity Disorder" among other topics. The newly published Diagnostic Statistical Manual will be released in 2012 and will have strong implications for how transgender people are treated in our society and by insurance companies and the medical establishment.

The current line up of "professionals" on the committee are unacceptable, with people like Mr. Zucker, and Mr. Blanchard who are transphobic, lack understanding, sensitivity and support "reparative therapy" for trans-folks.

Please sign the petition that is directed to the APA and cross-post, and email it to your address book to expedite the process...

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/petition/412001300

Hope for Trans Community With New DSM - V?

The APA has released a statement to activists who have emailed and called concerning the APA Diagnostic Statistical Manual. Activists have been very concerned over some people appointed to the committee who are very transphobic and who would likely keep the label "Gender Identity Disorder" even though moden research shows transgender people are just as healthy as everyone else in the population and are NOT disordered! The Gender Identity Disorders task force, is chaired by Peggy T. Cohen Kettenis, Ph.D. who is rumored to be TG friendly.

This being said our work is not done, Dr. Kenneth Zucker head of the entire Sexual and Gender Identity Disorders committee is very transphobic and believes in "reparative therapy" for transgender children.

"APA STATEMENT ON GID AND THE DSM

May 9, 2008

The American Psychiatric Association has received inquiries about the DSM-V process, particularly concerns raised about the Sexual and Gender Identity Disorders Work Group.

The APA has a long-standing mission to provide guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders, based on the most current clinical and scientific knowledge. Through advocacy and education of the public and policymakers, the APA also affirms it commitment to reducing stigma and discrimination.

The DSM addresses criteria for the diagnosis of mental disorders. The DSM does not provide treatment recommendations or guidelines. The APA is aware of the need for greater scientific and clinical consensus on the best treatments for individuals with Gender Identity Disorder (GID). Toward that end, the APA Board of Trustees voted to create a special APA Task Force to review the scientific and clinical literature on the treatment of GID. It is expected that members of the Task Force will be appointed shortly.

There are 13 DSM-V work groups. Collectively, the work group members will review all existing diagnostic categories in the current DSM. Each work group will be able to make proposals to revise existing diagnostic criteria, to consider new diagnostic categories, and to suggest deleting existing diagnostic categories.

All DSM-V work group proposals will be based on a careful, balanced review and analysis of the best clinical and scientific data. Evidence accumulated from work group members and hundreds of additional advisors to the DSM-V effort will be considered before final recommendations are made.

The Sexual and Gender Identity Disorders Work Group, chaired by Kenneth J. Zucker, Ph.D., will have 13 members who will form three subcommittees:

* Gender Identity Disorders, chaired by Peggy T. Cohen-Kettenis, Ph.D.
* Paraphilias, chaired by Ray Blanchard, Ph.D.
* Sexual Dysfunctions, chaired by R. Taylor Segraves, M.D., Ph.D.

Each subcommittee will pursue its own charge, provide ongoing peer review, and consult with outside experts. The DSM-V is expected to be published in 2012."
(This was a response given to Jessica L. off of Susans.org Forums)

APA will Tackle Gender Identity for DSM -V

The American Psychiatric Association is currently in the process of putting out their new Diagnostic Statistical Manual which deals with all aspects of psychiatric disorders and issues. Currently transgender people are unfairly labeled as having "Gender Identity Disorder" even though the research goes to show that this is not a disorder but yet a variation of the human condition.

UPDATE: There is more information about who will be on the panel over at Trans News

Please contact the APA about this and demand trans-friendly and LGBT friendly individuals be put on the panel discussing Gender Identity.

Call Toll-Free: 1-888-35-PSYCH

Click here to email officials at the APA

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The APA has now set up a group of so called "experts" to deal with addressing this issue and others in the world of psychology.
APA Press Release

Good news? Not so much.

Apparently one of the people on the committee has been quoted as saying "This is not waving a magic wand and a man becomes a woman and vice versa," he says. "It's something that has to be taken very seriously. A man without a penis has certain disadvantages in this world, and this is in reality what you're creating.

-Ray Blanchard, Ph.D

Is this the kind of sensitivity and expertise we want addressing trans issues?

Head on over to GID Reform Advocates an organization dedicated to reforming the classification of trans people as being mentally ill.