- 17 Sep 2005, 10:23
#350282
Izvinjavam se sto je teks na engleskom. Pokusacu da ga prevedem ovih dana, a dotle...
This morning's issue of the American Psychiatric Association's *Psychiatric
News* (vol. 40, #18, September 16) includes a statement by APA president
Steve Sharfstein: "Psychiatry and Legal Recognition Of Same-Sex Civil
Marriage."
Here's the statement:
I have been asked by a number of concerned APA members why psychiatry should
enter into the current debate on the legalization of same-sex marriage. A
few have resigned, on the grounds that as a scientific and medical
professional society, APA should not be commenting on this issue. To quote
one disgruntled member, "I feel that APA has truly lost sight of its mission
as a MEDICAL organization, led by PHYSICIANS, whose principles should be
guided only by SCIENCE and what is in the best interest of those with mental
illness."
The topic of same-sex marriage hits a sensitive nerve for many in our
society. The easy response to such sensitivity is to withdraw. But what the
Assembly concluded, and the Board of Trustees agreed, is that the
psychiatric profession should not stand back simply because an area is
controversial. Rather, we serve society by providing our expert
understanding of the science involved and also our judgment on its
implications for civil rights.
Homosexuality was part of our diagnostic nomenclature until 1973, when the
Board of Trustees removed it from the DSM. This change was supported by the
membership when a referendum to overturn the Board's decision was defeated
in 1974. Since then, research on the nature of homosexuality has uncovered
its strong links to genetics and biology. As the science has advanced, so
have APA's actions. In 2000 APA endorsed the concept of same-sex civil
unions. This year, by action of the Assembly in May and the Board in July,
we endorsed legal recognition of same-sex civil marriage (Psychiatric News,
June 17, August 19).
APA's action to support legal recognition of same-sex civil marriage is
based fundamentally on the research evidence. Many studies have now
established that marriage is associated with clear benefits, including
better mental and physical health. It is a stabilizing force in our society
that enables individuals to make public their commitment to each other and
receive acceptance and support from others. Further, research indicates that
same-sex partners have the same capacity to form long-term relationships as
do heterosexual individuals. To deny this recognition increases the stigma
and related distress often experienced by gay and lesbian individuals in
other facets of community life.
Against such compelling evidence, opponents of gay marriage cite religious
faith and an ideological belief that the institution of marriage is
threatened when same-sex partners can participate. In our civil society,
which respects freedom of speech, all views should be heard; however, one
strain of religious thought (among many) is an inappropriate basis for the
official position of APA. APA's position deals with same-sex civil marriage
only. And APA has concluded that fears about the future of society have no
basis in evidence.
Clarifying the science is just one task of APA. Another is to be true to its
implications. The biological basis of sexuality has important implications
for civil rights. Gays, lesbians, bisexuals, and transgendered individuals
are citizens who deserve the rights and benefits of full participation in
society.
Their children deserve fair treatment as well. Measures to improve the
mental health of parents have a definite, positive impact on the children in
the family. It stands to reason that these children would feel more accepted
in the community knowing that their parents are legally married. Marriage
also offers more legal options in the case of divorce, such as joint custody
and visitation. APA's endorsement of same-sex marriage is a recognition that
science can forge a path toward a more decent society.
Although APA is the first medical society to endorse the legalization of
same-sex civil marriage, we have been preceded by the American
Psychoanalytic Association, American Psychological Association, and National
Association of Social Workers.
Gaining legal status for same-sex civil marriage is an uphill battle. At the
state level, debate over whether same-sex marriage should be legalized has
created great heat, loss of civility, and controversy. Thirty-seven states
have enacted so-called Defense of Marriage Acts, which ban same-sex
marriage, and other states have similar legislation pending. Only one state,
Massachusetts, explicitly allows same-sex marriage and only for residents of
that state.
The international scene is more promising. Recently Canada and Spain
legalized same-sex civil marriage, and Belgium and the Netherlands have
similar provisions.
Marriage by gay and lesbian partners arouses irrational prejudice and fear,
but as psychiatrists, we must take a stand on issues that have a clear
impact on the mental health of our patients and of persons in the community
at large. As an organization, we seek also to promote human rights and
freedom from discrimination. Psychiatry leads the way for the rest of
medicine on this important issue.
This morning's issue of the American Psychiatric Association's *Psychiatric
News* (vol. 40, #18, September 16) includes a statement by APA president
Steve Sharfstein: "Psychiatry and Legal Recognition Of Same-Sex Civil
Marriage."
Here's the statement:
I have been asked by a number of concerned APA members why psychiatry should
enter into the current debate on the legalization of same-sex marriage. A
few have resigned, on the grounds that as a scientific and medical
professional society, APA should not be commenting on this issue. To quote
one disgruntled member, "I feel that APA has truly lost sight of its mission
as a MEDICAL organization, led by PHYSICIANS, whose principles should be
guided only by SCIENCE and what is in the best interest of those with mental
illness."
The topic of same-sex marriage hits a sensitive nerve for many in our
society. The easy response to such sensitivity is to withdraw. But what the
Assembly concluded, and the Board of Trustees agreed, is that the
psychiatric profession should not stand back simply because an area is
controversial. Rather, we serve society by providing our expert
understanding of the science involved and also our judgment on its
implications for civil rights.
Homosexuality was part of our diagnostic nomenclature until 1973, when the
Board of Trustees removed it from the DSM. This change was supported by the
membership when a referendum to overturn the Board's decision was defeated
in 1974. Since then, research on the nature of homosexuality has uncovered
its strong links to genetics and biology. As the science has advanced, so
have APA's actions. In 2000 APA endorsed the concept of same-sex civil
unions. This year, by action of the Assembly in May and the Board in July,
we endorsed legal recognition of same-sex civil marriage (Psychiatric News,
June 17, August 19).
APA's action to support legal recognition of same-sex civil marriage is
based fundamentally on the research evidence. Many studies have now
established that marriage is associated with clear benefits, including
better mental and physical health. It is a stabilizing force in our society
that enables individuals to make public their commitment to each other and
receive acceptance and support from others. Further, research indicates that
same-sex partners have the same capacity to form long-term relationships as
do heterosexual individuals. To deny this recognition increases the stigma
and related distress often experienced by gay and lesbian individuals in
other facets of community life.
Against such compelling evidence, opponents of gay marriage cite religious
faith and an ideological belief that the institution of marriage is
threatened when same-sex partners can participate. In our civil society,
which respects freedom of speech, all views should be heard; however, one
strain of religious thought (among many) is an inappropriate basis for the
official position of APA. APA's position deals with same-sex civil marriage
only. And APA has concluded that fears about the future of society have no
basis in evidence.
Clarifying the science is just one task of APA. Another is to be true to its
implications. The biological basis of sexuality has important implications
for civil rights. Gays, lesbians, bisexuals, and transgendered individuals
are citizens who deserve the rights and benefits of full participation in
society.
Their children deserve fair treatment as well. Measures to improve the
mental health of parents have a definite, positive impact on the children in
the family. It stands to reason that these children would feel more accepted
in the community knowing that their parents are legally married. Marriage
also offers more legal options in the case of divorce, such as joint custody
and visitation. APA's endorsement of same-sex marriage is a recognition that
science can forge a path toward a more decent society.
Although APA is the first medical society to endorse the legalization of
same-sex civil marriage, we have been preceded by the American
Psychoanalytic Association, American Psychological Association, and National
Association of Social Workers.
Gaining legal status for same-sex civil marriage is an uphill battle. At the
state level, debate over whether same-sex marriage should be legalized has
created great heat, loss of civility, and controversy. Thirty-seven states
have enacted so-called Defense of Marriage Acts, which ban same-sex
marriage, and other states have similar legislation pending. Only one state,
Massachusetts, explicitly allows same-sex marriage and only for residents of
that state.
The international scene is more promising. Recently Canada and Spain
legalized same-sex civil marriage, and Belgium and the Netherlands have
similar provisions.
Marriage by gay and lesbian partners arouses irrational prejudice and fear,
but as psychiatrists, we must take a stand on issues that have a clear
impact on the mental health of our patients and of persons in the community
at large. As an organization, we seek also to promote human rights and
freedom from discrimination. Psychiatry leads the way for the rest of
medicine on this important issue.
