Is Homosexuality a Disease?

Is homosexuality a disease?

I've seen this question floating around online. The answer you get depends on who you ask. I want to add to the discussion because I think there's some nuance missing.

The broader scientific community, like the American Psychological Association (APA), would argue that homosexuality is not a disease. Rather, they recognize homosexuality as a normal and healthy variation of human sexuality. This is probably the mainstream view and is evident if you've ever watched Netflix. However, this hasn't always been the case. The APA classified homosexuality as a mental disorder in its Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM) up until 1973¹.

Previously, viewpoints generally held that homosexuality was a deviation in normal human sexual behavior. Those that point to pathology highlight higher rates of mental health issues, substance abuse, and/or relationship instability among LGBTQ+ individuals. This view is further underscored by religious perspectives that tend to frame homosexuality as a moral or spiritual disorder.

But for me, I find these views to be inadequate. And like most things, I think the truth lies somewhere in between.

According to Merriam-Webster, 'disease' is defined as a condition of the living animal or plant body or of one of its parts that impairs normal functioning and is typically manifested by distinguishing signs and symptoms.²'

So in some sense, one might argue that homosexuality is a disease precisely because it overrides one's 'normal functioning', i.e., the biological imperative to reproduce. However, this 'disease' model begins to break down under further scrutiny.

Homosexuality – more specifically the same-sex attraction – is more like a symptom than a disease. It is a symptom of unmet needs born from childhood wounds. The real 'disease' would be early developmental trauma. And the byproduct: insecure and sexualized attachments. So homosexuality as a disease doesn't really fit. It is a side effect.

But it's not the only side effect. Many LGBTQ+ individuals also grapple with substance abuse, relationship instability, and depression etc. Drawing from my own experience, I used to carry this pervasive sadness with me for as long as I can remember. I often had difficulty trusting people or letting them get close. Little did I know that that sadness and my attractions were related – in hindsight, it was the subconscious driver that caused me to seek out the love I never got as a child.

For this reason, I don't see homosexuality (same-sex attraction) as an indicator of some moral failing. Maybe it's true that homosexuality is merely a variation of human sexuality – but perhaps it's one that develops out of pain. It is the result of nurture, not nature. It has more to do with the environment than it does with the individual. And it indulging and/or affirming it, doesn't address the emotional distress within. Rather it aggravates it. Like drinking seawater when you're thirsty — it feels like it's quenching your thirst, but it actually dehydrates you more.

For years I felt like there was something wrong with me – that I was broken. But in hindsight, I think this had more to do with my upbringing. Often religious perspectives frame homosexuality as a sin – a spiritual disorder of sorts. But I think we need to be careful here. I fear it's often forgotten that those who experience the same-sex attraction are the victims. Without that understanding, it is difficult to be truly compassionate. And those who may struggle with their sexuality end up feeling marginalized. Misunderstandings happen. And many leave their faith feeling judged and condemned. But it doesn't have to be this way.

People shouldn't be made to feel like they're broken or defective. It's also why I don't like the term 'disease.' It implies something infectious or contagious, like a virus. Same-sex attraction, while it feels innate, develops from emotional wounds compounded over time. It's not like the flu or cold you might get from traveling over the holidays. It's not something that can be treated with pharmaceuticals or antibiotics. The cause is much deeper and specific to the individual. It requires intense introspection to begin to understand yourself and the cards you were dealt.

So, is homosexuality a disease?

I think that's the wrong question. Would you say someone with PTSD has a disease? Probably not.

In my opinion, saying that homosexuality is a disease is both harsh and misinformed. But saying that homosexuality is not a disease misses the mark because it ignores the reality of how same-sex attraction develops.

If I had to put a name to it, I'd call homosexuality a 'condition'. It's a more accurate term that doesn't have the weight of judgement or stigma. 'Condition' also carries an air of impermanence – which I think is important. Too often I see people overidentify with their sexuality, when in reality, it's just a small part of their current experience.

But at this point, we're really just quibbling over semantics.

I believe homosexuality is just a condition – and it's one that is malleable. It's not something to overidentify with, but rather something to learn from. We don't get to choose the cards we were dealt in life, but we can choose how to play our hand.

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1) Drescher, J. (2015). Out of DSM: Depathologizing homosexuality. Behavioral Sciences, 5(4), 565–575. https://doi.org/10.3390/bs5040565

2) Disease. (2026). In Merriam-Webster Dictionary. https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/disease