Jennifer, how people are perceived is interesting. In large parts of the world they have been understood through monotheism, for example. Some 4,500 years ago in ancient Sumer there was a regular celebration of the Goddess Inanna, and all kinds of sexual types marched, sang, celebrated. Gradually masculinity reared its muscular presence, a sexual identity connected to war.

Whether in these instances psychology is a sound approach is another concern. In the 1930s there was a psychiatric diagnosis called perversion. I have not quite found out what this entailed but psychiatry directed it towards women. Therefore, I imagine it entailed lesbianism, promiscuity, etc, etc. Nevertheless, I came across a Lord in the 19th century being cast into a mental hospital by his family (not unusual then) for enjoying himself and certainly enjoying sex too much. His family's real reason was the money he had inherited and which they felt he was wasting, and which they wanted for themselves.

Jenny, it is relevant to establish that the LGBTQ community is a diverse group of individuals who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and/or other gender or sexual identities. I think that while there is no one single cause of these identities, research indicates that sexual orientation and gender identity may be shaped by a combination of biological and environmental factors. For example, research has shown that genetic, hormonal, and neurological factors may be involved in shaping sexual orientation and gender identity, as well as social and cultural factors such as family dynamics and peer relationships. It is important to note that LGBTQ identities are not a psychological pathology, and that acting in a way that expresses one's gender or sexual orientation is not necessarily a sign of psychological distress. In fact, individuals who are able to express their gender or sexual orientation in an authentic and comfortable way tend to exhibit better psychological well-being than those who are unable to do so. It is difficult to pinpoint when an individual starts acting in a way that is opposite of their sexual orientation, as this is a highly individual and personal experience. Generally, it is thought that individuals who identify as LGBTQ may start to act in a way that is different from their assigned gender or sexual orientation at a young age, although this can vary from person to person.

I agree that examining how societal and cultural factors shape our perceptions of different identities and behaviors can be fascinating. However, it's also crucial to recognize the complex history of psychology and psychiatry when it comes to diagnosing and treating marginalized groups. We need to approach the diagnosis of certain identities or behaviors with sensitivity and consideration of the cultural and historical context.

Reminds me of the story of the Lord who was institutionalized for enjoying sex too much. This story highlights the ways in which societal norms and values can be employed to oppress and control individuals, particularly in matters of power and inheritance and this as well serves as a reminder that the social construction of morality and mental health can have significant implications for individuals and their well-being.

Jennifer, psychiatric activity dates back in a fearsome form to the 1930s when the diagnosis of Perversion was employed for members of the LGBTQ community, and applied mainly to women.

Apart from your brief narrative, another Lord lived a focused and very active sex life in Victorian times (could be the same one) in France getting through his wealth. Enticed back to England, as his relatives were worried about the loss of his and their fortune, after his death, he was imprisoned in an asylum as mad, his fortune taken from him. Added to this, psychiatry continued with the same diagnosis against homosexuals until 1973 although the UK had ceased to regard it as a criminal act by 1967. Theoretically, a homosexual could be locked away in a mental hospital as mentally ill up until 1973, although the rest of Western institutions regarded the act as normal and lawful.

The problem of psychiatrist's power remains with us, as well as, for me, the legitimacy of their ideas. Psychiatry is insular. It identifies (makes up) illnesses in line with drug drivers. While it does not so much as operate outside of laws, it operates within its own.

I have repeated myself. Never mind. It was so good, I said it twice.

It feels as though we are in a new era of civil rights with the escalating culture wars around LGBT+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and other sexual and gender minorities) people. We have seen bans on gender-affirming medical care for adolescent gender dysphoria, prohibitions on trans girls as young as kindergarten participating on girls’ sports teams, and even bills that would criminalize or censor drag performances. Given the different members of the LGBT+ community impacted by these different initiatives, is this a time when we need to consider categories of people in a more granular way? Is there any advantage to referring to people in the collective as LGBT+ or should we be focusing our attention to the specific individuals being affected by these policies?

https://www.nature.com/articles/s44220-023-00073-5

Meet Jane Rigby, senior project scientist for JWST and advocate for LGBTQ+ astronomers

Rigby won’t comment on the telescope’s name. But her support for LGBTQ+ astronomers is clear. Rigby was a founding member of the AAS Committee for Sexual-Orientation and Gender Minorities in Astronomy, which works to promote equality for LGBTQ+ astronomers within the field; has co-organized conferences on making astronomy more inclusive; and authored a recent white paper urging the astronomy community to address diversity, inclusion and harassment. A current priority is making sure trans people feel safe and welcome.

Rigby doesn’t want to be pigeonholed as “the gay astronomer.” She knows her contributions to astronomy extend far beyond any particular group. But she says the leadership skills, resilience and ability to shift her perspective that she has learned through living and organizing as a member of the LGBTQ+ community have made her a better astronomer. They’re skills she transfers to her role as a leader at NASA...

https://www.sciencenews.org/article/rigby-scientist-jwst-lgbtq-astronomers