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Pentagon Says Homosexuality "NOT" A Mental "Disorder"
By Will Dunham
Wed Jun 28, 3:30 PM ET

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Pentagon no longer deems homosexuality a mental disorder, officials said on Wednesday, although the reversal has no impact on U.S. policy prohibiting openly gay people from serving in the military.



After a 1996 Pentagon document placing homosexuality among a list of "certain mental disorders" came to light this month, the American Psychiatric Association and a handful of lawmakers asked the Defense Department to change its view.

The Pentagon said in a statement: "Homosexuality should not have been characterized as a mental disorder in an appendix of a procedural instruction. A clarification will be issued over the next few days."

"Notwithstanding its inclusion, we find no practical impact since that appendix simply listed factors that do not constitute a physical disability, and homosexuality of course does not," the Pentagon added.

The 1996 Pentagon document, which had been recertified as "current" three years ago, had listed homosexuality as a mental disorder alongside mental retardation, impulse control disorders and personality disorders.

The American Psychiatric Association, responsible for a definitive listing of mental health classifications, declassified homosexuality as a mental disorder in 1973.

In fiscal 2005, which ended last September 30, 726 military personnel were discharged under the "don't ask, don't tell" policy, the Pentagon said.

Adopted by Congress in 1993, the policy allows homosexuals to serve in the armed forces only if they do not reveal their sexual orientation and abstain from gay sex.

It was a compromise worked out with Congress under President Bill Clinton, who had tried to lift the military's long-standing prohibition on homosexuals.

Those opposed to gays in the military have argued the presence of homosexuals could undermine good discipline and order in the ranks.

RATE OF DISCHARGES SLOWED

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20060628/ts_nm/arms_usa_gays_dc ... etc ...

[Kuros]

The US armed forces could use all the help they can get.

[ddeubel]