Monday, May 18, 2009

France drops designation of transexuality as mental illness

From International News 24/7:

The French Ministry of Health announced through a spokesperson on May 16 that France would no longer classify transsexuality as a mental illness. The announcement came on the eve of the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHO).

Until now, transsexuals benefited from a state subsidy reserved for chronic illness - “recurring or persistent problems.”

The classification was linked to the fact that a leading medical journal, Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, referred to both homosexuality and transsexuality as disorders.

The French organization Homosexuals and Socialism (HES) has applauded the move, calling it “a long-overdue vindication.”