Non-heterosexuality: Contemporary Psychiatric Perspectives

Abstract

Background: Although homosexuality has long been de-pathologized from psychiatric diagnoses since 1973, explicit and implicit discrimination toward non-heterosexuality still exists. Most biases are rooted deeply in the prevailing heterosexist value system, yet they are also highly strengthened by misunderstandings toward the diverse and multi-dimensional nature of human sexuality. In the past decades, mental health professionals, psychologists, social scientists, biologists and gender researchers from various disciplines have contributed greatly to the understanding toward non-heterosexuality. The accumulated knowledge is bound to improve our understanding toward human sexuality, and hopefully to reduce the long-standing biases and discriminations toward non-heterosexuality. Method: We reviewed current literature (mainly from Western studies) about non-heterosexuality from psychiatric perspectives. Results: First, we introduced the definition and conceptual framework for non-heterosexuality, along with brief summaries of demographics and biological underpinning. Second, we addressed psychological issues, including identity development, heterosexism and internalized homophobia, mental health and suicidality, and same-sex committed relationship. Third, we gave a brief overview toward psychotherapeutic issues on working with non-heterosexual individuals and their families. Conclusion: We suggest our-Taiwanese mental health colleagues to achieve a better understanding toward non-heterosexuality, to do non-biased and non-harmful clinical practices based on affirmative stance, to distribute knowledge to all health care providers, and to promote legal equality for Taiwanese non-heterosexual people.