Homosexuality and the Mental Health Profession: The Impact of Bias

From our regular book review column.

Changing societal views concerning gay men and lesbians have left health professionals unprepared to deal with the phenomenon of antihomosexual bias in themselves, their patients, and their institutions. This report provides a review of the literature, clinical examples of the outcome of such bias, and informed positions by this study group of psychiatrists. The purpose of the report is not to argue any position about gay men and lesbians but to improve patient care by bringing to light causes and consequences of antihomosexual bias and to assist health professionals in dealing with it.