Food for Thought: Examples of Queer Design Examples (Adrian A) Chapters 4-5 of Eaklor's Queer America

 

Medical and Scientific studies that contributed to removing homosexuality from the DSM

    Chapters 4 and 5 of Eaklor's Queer America, continues to discuss the advances in sexual studies that were introduced to us earlier in chapter 3.  Chapter 4 begins with the story of Martin Duberman, who was a significant leader in GLBT academics and activism. Duberman was a respected and renowned historian and playwright, he obtained his Ph.D. in history at Harvard University and continued on to teach at esteemed institutions such as Yale and Princeton. While teaching at these institutions and working to further his own education, he struggled to come to terms with his own homosexuality. He declared that he had been seeking a cure for his homosexuality for an extended amount of time. It is disheartening to hear how negative societal views and pressure to be perceived as straight clouded the judgement of someone with as esteemed of an education as Duberman. The 50's were a dangerous time period to be perceived as queer, and I am sure between the legislation being passed and the "witch hunt" periods of persecution that queer people faced, Duberman did not feel as if he could have a promising future as an openly gay man no matter what scientific research he furthered. Duberman was able to come out as gay during 1972. It is clear that the work of others influenced him to comfortably lean into queer activism later on during his later life. 

    The work of sex researcher Alfred Kinsey from the late 40's to the early 50's could very well be a reason that made many like Duberman feel more comfortable with their own identity, as it redesigned the American conversation around sex and sexual practices. The Kinsey Reports exposed the sexual behaviors and patterns of many American men and women. The Kinsey institute was founded in 1947, which began as the Institute for Sex Research. It was taboo in American society to discuss sex in any manner publicly during this time period. However, it was obvious that heterosexual sexual practices were the societal norm. The Kinsey Reports not only redefined the way in which sex was socially and morally treated by Americans, it also included findings regarding homosexual and bisexual practices. Kinsey claimed to be strictly concerned with human behavior, but these sexual behaviors coincided with human identity whether he was concerned with it or not. Here, queer people could see statistics regarding the feelings they felt and repressed on a day to day basis. The Kinsey reports struck fear in some of those who did not condone what they saw as, "nonconformist sexual actions".  However, these reports were empowering to queer people like Duberman who felt trapped by their own natural desires. This was one of the first tools for queer people to acknowledge that their own identity was not equivalent to a mental illness diagnosis. It also demonstrated that there were other queer people besides themselves.  

    Studies like Kinsey's challenged the heteronormative designs of society, as it proved that sex and gender variations spanned across numerous different identities and behaviors. Not only this, but that LGBT identities were natural to have and not a symptom of mental illness. Dr. Evelyn Hooker conducted studies that presented evidence that showed how gay men were just as adjusted, if not more adjusted, than straight men were. Her studies were presented to the American Psychological Association during a meeting in 1956. Her studies furthered the efforts to remove homosexuality off the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. 

    It may seem as if queer people had a limited hand in removing homosexuality off the DSM. However, I believe that with the help of straight cis medical professionals and those within the field of psychology and sciences, queer people were able to challenge the design of straight culture. With homosexuality being classified as a mental illness, queer people like Duberman feared the possibility of not only persecution, but "treatments" such as electroshock therapy. Participating in these studies had to take some amount of courage, as it was never certain who would expose those that were queer. By participating in these sexual studies and fighting against the norms of straight society, a new view of homosexuality could be perceived by the public. In doing so, the American views on sex in general, straight or not, were challenged and people were able to express their sexuality more freely. Sex education was also improved, as studies continued.