Final answer:
Thomas Szasz's assertion that mental illness was a myth challenged the pathologization of behaviors and identities, such as homosexuality, contributing to the declassification of homosexuality as a mental disorder by the APA in 1973 and supporting broader social and civil rights movements.
Step-by-step explanation:
Thomas Szasz's belief that mental illness was a myth had profound implications for social and civil rights, particularly as it pertains to the treatment of certain social groups, including the LGBTQ+ community. Szasz challenged the view that certain behaviors or identities, such as homosexuality, were pathological. This view, widely held by society and reinforced by the psychiatric establishment, resulted in discriminatory practices and the stigmatization of such identities. Szasz's work contributed to questioning and dismantling these prejudiced perspectives, thereby supporting social movements that aimed to achieve equality and justice.
His perspective was linked to the broader civil rights issues, as marginalized groups often faced both legal discrimination and societal stigma due to being classified under the label of 'mental illness'. The shift in understanding mental health and illness, partly influenced by Szasz's writings, played a role in the declassification of homosexuality as a mental disorder by the American Psychiatric Association (APA) in 1973, a landmark moment in the civil rights movement for gay and lesbian individuals.