Final Answer:
Post-WW2 Psychiatry tied the idea of homosexuality to an illness primarily through the inclusion of homosexuality in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM). Until 1973, the DSM categorized homosexuality as a mental disorder, reinforcing the perception that it was an illness that required psychiatric treatment.
Step-by-step explanation:
Post-World War II Psychiatry witnessed a significant shift in how homosexuality was perceived. The American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) played a pivotal role. In its earlier editions, particularly DSM-I (1952) and DSM-II (1968), homosexuality was pathologized, listed as a "sociopathic personality disturbance" and later as a "sexual deviation." This classification positioned homosexuality as an illness within the psychiatric framework, further perpetuating societal stigma.
The inclusion of homosexuality in the DSM reflected the prevailing societal attitudes towards sexual orientation at the time. Psychiatric professionals, influenced by societal norms and biases, deemed homosexuality as abnormal behavior requiring medical intervention. However, this classification wasn't solely rooted in empirical evidence; rather, it mirrored the prevailing cultural norms and prejudices. The conceptualization of homosexuality as a mental disorder perpetuated discrimination and stigmatization, leading to harmful practices such as conversion therapy.
The subsequent revisions of the DSM and evolving scientific understanding led to the removal of homosexuality as a mental disorder in 1973, marking a significant milestone. This change was propelled by advocacy, scientific research, and a growing understanding that sexual orientation is a natural variation of human diversity, not a pathological condition. The reclassification played a pivotal role in altering public perception and reducing the stigmatization associated with homosexuality, although societal biases and discrimination persist in various forms.