Prot. n. 01/Communications Dear President of the Order of Psychologists of Piedmont
Turin 16/10/2011 Dr. BARCUCCI Paolo Fausto
Subject: Request for intervention
Dear President,
We hereby request that you address statements reported in newspapers that suggest that the Catholic Bioethics Center of the Archdiocese of Turin "should not be discriminated against, censored, or hindered by those who scientifically support the thesis that homosexuality is curable," "including access to potential funding," and address these comments to the President of the Regional Council, Valerio Cattaneo.
I also recall that, according to the DSM-III, in 1974, the American Psychiatric Association removed homosexuality from the classification of mental disorders, instead including in a single category—Gender Identity Disorders—any "persistent distress regarding one's assigned sex." Since then, the APA has emphasized persistent distress (DSM-IV, criterion B) experienced by an individual in their gender identity, regardless of sexual orientation. That is, the disorder consists of the experience of discomfort with one's identity and not with sexual orientation per se. Homosexuality, which does not fall within the scope of gender identities, is therefore not considered a pathology, but the individual distress it causes in certain cases can lead to a request for help and indeed necessitate psychological intervention. The World Health Organization reached a similar position in 1990 during the revision of the ICD-9, and in the subsequent classification (ICD-10), homosexuality was not included as a diagnostic category. Following the report published with the aim of defining the type of therapy that is useful for children, adolescents, and adults experiencing such distress, in 2009 the APA recommended that, in the treatment of people experiencing persistent distress regarding their sexual orientation, focus on welcoming and supportive therapies that respect the client's values, beliefs, and needs. These therapies are geared toward exploring and developing their sexual orientation identity and reducing internalized sexual stigma, helping them resolve their social, religious, and relational conflicts. It also calls on social organizations to work to reduce the effects of prejudice, sexual stigma, and discrimination against individuals, groups, and their families.
The APA also expresses concern that the spread of these therapies, and related theories, contributes to increasing social prejudice and discrimination and – consequently – stressful conditions for individuals and their families.
Therefore, statements regarding evidence surrounding "reparative theories," which have been repeatedly denied by national and international scientific bodies, are intolerable. It should be remembered that Articles 3, 4, and 5 of Chapter 1 – General Principles, of the Code of Ethics for Italian Psychologists, highlight the professional responsibilities and duties that differ from "theories that consider homosexuality curable.".
Health Manager of Arcigay Ottavio Mai of Turin
Valerio Brescia
