Transsexuality will no longer be classified in France as a mental illness

[ccharles000]

Transsexuality will no longer be classified in France as a mental illness, a government decision Saturday qualified as “historic” by the associations, on the eve of World Day against homophobia and transphobia.

Health Minister, Roselyne Bachelot, has taken these days “High health authority for a decree transsexuality leaving the category of psychiatric disorders”, said a spokesperson of the ministry.

So far, transsexuals enjoyed an exemption from user fees for medical care under a long-term ALD23 classified for “persistent or recurrent disorders”.

For the Department of Health, it is a “strong signal to the whole community”, transsexuals feeling “this admission ALD23 as stigmatizing”.

http://birdofparadox.wordpress.com/2009/05/17/transsexuality-will-no-longer-be-classified-in-france-as-a-mental-illness/

[ccharles000]

1. kick

[Juche]

2. It took them this long?

I thought France was a better nation than that.

[Odin2005]

4. I know, seems a bit out of character for them.

:shrug:

[lunatica]

5. Perhaps it's the official overturning of a very old law

Or perhaps they're looking at us and realizing that bigotry breeds a very special kind of thick-headed and brutish stupidity. In some ways we shine as an example of what not to be too.

[LeftHander]

3. mixed feelings on this....

In one respect it is good to not be stigmatized by society, but without the designation then many trans people will not be able to afford transition...thus degrading the quality of life and bringing about a host of other problems...

It sounds rather like a mask for transphobes simply not wanting pay for transsexual's transition healthcare (HRT, SRS, etc..).

[ccharles000]

6. good point