If you've ever taking a class in psychology, then you're sure to know about this thing called the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual -- a tome of a book that outlines all the various "mental disorders" out there. Believe me, if you flip through it, you could diagnose anyone with about 1/3 of the listed disorders.

In any case, the APA is preparing to revise the DSM and release a new version, and they've hired some very controversial members to oversee the gender and sexuality areas. Here's a note I was passed on from my friend Jackson. NPR's All Things Considered also did a show on this Zucker character - find it here:

A few days ago the American Psychological Association announced who would write the new revision of the DSMV, the manual of mental disorders that controls the diagnosis and treatment of gender and sexual difference. The "expert" just named to chair the revisions on sexuality and gender is Kenneth Zucker. Zucker is the major remaining proponent of "reparative therapy" to "cure" kids they think are LGBT.

If the APA doesn't change the committee, the next edition of the DSMV
will probably prescribe reparative therapies as recommended
"treatment" for LGBT people. Zucker's named Ray Blanchard to the work
group that will rewrite Gender Identity Disorder.

Here's the deal: Blanchard is connected with ex-gay organizations; his
core theory is that transpeople are "really" sex offenders or
homosexuals, and homosexuals are mentally ill. Zucker's stated purpose
for reparative therapy is that, without it, gay kids will grow up into
transsexuals. So any version of Gender Identity Disorder the two of
them write will not only put transpeople out of medical help and into
conversion therapy, but also redefine GID from an independent
diagnosis to a kind of homosexuality.

In other words, their goal is to put homosexuality back in the DSMV as
a mental illness. We'd be back where we were before 1973. I hoped I'd
never have to live with this crap again, but here we are in the Stone
Age. These are the folks that "cure" boys who play with dolls and
girls who like sports. The APA just gave these wackos the authority to
define American gays and lesbians as mentally ill. They're likely to
use it.

We have to get the word out. If the community protests loudly and
fast, the APA will probably have to remove Zucker and Blanchard. I am
terrified it won't happen because it'll get tagged as a "trans issue."
The HRC, the Advocate and so on have no love lost on transpeople, but
transpeople don't have the pull with the APA.

Only the gay and lesbian communities can apply the necessary pressure.
It's use it or lose it. Once your identity has been defined as a
mental illness your political clout falls to zero. Folks in the know
say the appointment was so unexpected that it's likely most APA
leadership doesn't really understand what they just did.

Zucker and Blanchard are considered fringe--Zucker's clinic in Toronto
has been defunded by the Canadian government. But they're famous for
their political skills, taking over academic forums and then using
them to set themselves up as "recognized experts." I think if we call
the APA on it right away, they'll fold and replace them.

Here's a link to more info: http://www.bilerico. com/2008/05/uh_oh.php

Please help. Spread the word to everyone you know. Any contacts you
have with LGBT political advocacy and media organizations, please
light a fire with them to pressure the APA to remove Zucker and
Blanchard from the DSMV committee. It matters for all of us.