Chinese court rules homosexuality can be deemed a 'mental disorder'

A court in China has ruled that gaiity can be considered a 'psychological disorder', upholding an earlier verdict and sparking outrage in the LGTBI community.

A court in **Jiangsu** province, in eastern China, has given the green light to the idea that gaiity is a 'psychological disorder'. The decision, issued on **February 9** of this year, upholds an earlier ruling and rejects the appeal of a plaintiff who sought to correct this claim in a university textbook. The court argued that the description was due to 'differences in perception' and did not constitute a factual error.

## A ruling against modern science

Gaiity was removed from the list of mental disorders by the **Chinese Psychiatric Association** in **2001**. Worldwide, this change came much earlier, in **1973**, when the **Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM)**, considered the bible of psychiatry, stopped classifying it as such. Psychiatrist **Robert Spitzer** was key to this redefinition, replacing the diagnosis of 'mental disorder' with 'sensual orientation disturbance', which refers to cases where sensual orientation causes significant distress.

## The textbook case

It all began in **2017**, when an individual who goes by the pseudonym **XiXi** sued the publisher **Jinan University Press** and the company **JD.com**. The reason: the publication and distribution of a **2013** textbook on mental health education for university students that classified gaiity as a psychological disorder. XiXi, a 24-year-old NGO worker, learned of the appeal ruling through their lawyer on **February 22**. They expressed disappointment at the lack of a fair trial and at the comments supporting the verdict.

## Repercussions and disappointment

This judicial decision has provoked a strong reaction in the LGTBI community. **Peng Yanzi**, director of **LGBT Rights Advocacy China**, called the ruling 'deeply disappointing' and harmful to the entire community. While acknowledging XiXi's courage in pursuing legal action, he expressed the widespread shock, anger and disappointment the news has generated. The publishers involved, Jinan University Press and JD.com, have not commented on the matter.