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Why do people think my sexuality is a mental disorder and/or invalid?

24 Answers
Last Updated: 08/26/2019 at 7:32pm
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Top Rated Answers
Anonymous
June 30th, 2015 10:22am
People think that my sexuality is a mental disorder and/or invalid because they can't relate to it nor wrap their heads around same-sex attraction or not feeling any romantic feelings. People have a tendency to label what they don't understand as an illness or make believe.
Anonymous
June 14th, 2016 12:28am
People think your sexuality is a mental disorder and/or invalid because they don't understand. It doesn't mean that it is.
Aayla
- Expert in LGBTQ+ Issues
August 26th, 2019 7:32pm
Because of either ignorance and prejudice. The only way to fight it is by spreading awareness about the different sexualities, both in scientific and human terms, in order to spread a mentality that is aware that all orientations are normal and that prejudice hurts people. Some won't be willing to listen, but some people will, since not everyone has been given an opportunity to learn more before, because of their upbringing. It's an effort worth making, a better society depends on all of us.
miraculousPup65
August 14th, 2018 12:38am
It's hard to know exactly how to answer that without knowing more details, but sometimes people have trouble understanding things they have never felt or experienced themselves. People often have feelings based on what their heard growing up, and aren't always open to the ways in which sexuality is becoming more expansive/fluid. It's probably more a case of ignorance than any personal feeling against you!
Anonymous
May 29th, 2018 8:24pm
Maybe because they can't accept the truth or see what's right in front of them. Or maybe because they can't accept it for they've been hateful and close minded for so long.
Anonymous
November 14th, 2017 10:38pm
In my experience, there are people who simply cannot comprehend the idea of feeling like you are anything other than cishet. They are so strongly in the cishet bubble that to consider yourself to be anything else "can't" be natural in their minds. You may as well tell them you have the power to turn invisible, but only if nobody's looking. Some people can get to at least a basic level of understanding and acceptance, but some people will never be able to get past their pre-established worldview.
Anonymous
November 14th, 2017 4:08pm
From our very childhood, our perceptions about the world are shaped by the behavior of those around us. In a world where heterosexuality is a norm, it is not surprising that other sexuality can be frowned upon. In fact, I believe that identifying oneself as having an alternate sexuality is a moment of revelation that actually opens his or her eyes to the true vibrancy of the sexual spectrum. Till that moment of realization, the truth maybe that you yourself would wonder what is actually wrong with 'the others' . While it is true that other people have no right to decide what is right or wrong for us, it is also not really right to blame them completely for their wrong impressions. But please don't take this as an excuse for their intolerance - they are intelligent, mature people - they can very well adapt and look beyond such prejudices and consider us no less than them if they wish. My point here is the reason people think as you say is mainly due to social programing and a lack of understanding and empathy. Don't let that hold you back. Those who truly care for you will stand by you no matter what. Rest can mind their own business.
Anonymous
July 4th, 2017 2:11am
Its because they were raised with internalized homophobia/transphobia/ etc. and in most cases do not understand how severe mental disorders can be. My advice is to leave those people or disregard their thoughts because they obviously are wrong- if they are a friend who is homophobic towards you, then they aren't your friend. People who invalidate others make me angry, and rightfully so, but you just have to remember that they were probably raised in environments that invalidate sexuality and mental disorders, and that it isn't entirely their fault (even though part of it definitely is their fault).
Artemidesia
June 19th, 2017 6:33pm
People, sometimes, tend to disagree with what they don't understand. They have not walked a day in your shoes, and as a result, they cannot empathize with you. Since they cannot empathize, they cannot validate your feelings/situation. I want to assure you that your sexuality is not a mental disorder and it is valid :)
Anonymous
June 6th, 2017 9:45pm
Because they haven't been through what you've been through. Everyone thinks differently and even tho they are wrong, there isn't much to do. You can't change the way they were raised, the way they were thought what's right and what's not. It's your life, so don't be dejected by others, you can live however you want to live, however you feel more comfortable.
HugBug
November 28th, 2016 9:33am
A lot of people are still very closed minded and set in your ways. The person / people you would like to understand most, sometimes understands the least. It's important to surround yourself with people that really make an effort to understand and accept you for all you are
magicalListener1
September 20th, 2016 5:52pm
Because, and this is a true fact, being Gay, Lesbian, Bi, etc., used to be labeled as a mental disorder, thank god it's not anymore but some people are still caught up in the past!
ThePeacekeeperI
August 22nd, 2016 6:10pm
People fear what they dont understand. But it does not make anyones sexuality invalid, or worthless.
ArtChoosestheArtist
March 4th, 2015 8:31am
People have all sorts of opinions, and ways of dealing with their own truths. They may be unwilling to accept your sexuality because it makes them uncomfortable, and they are unsure of what to do with that. They could equally have religious views which conflict with their understanding of your sexuality, and that too makes them unsure of how to respond to you. In any case, recognize that this is -their- issue, not yours. You are perfect the way you are.
Anonymous
March 29th, 2016 2:45pm
Sadly, many people still see it like this because that was what they thought in the past. We know it isn't true, but it's often hard to change someone's mind. If you care about them and they care about you, you can help them to understand and accept it.
amazingHeart17
October 16th, 2015 5:57pm
Well there's no particular answer for this, I believe that the reason people think this is because they have a lot of hate they need to get out, and so they're making excuses as to why they're not extremely loving and accepting. A lot of people just don't want to accept the fact that our society is becoming more and more accepting of LGBTQ+ members, sadly, so they try to convince themselves reasons to be hateful.
Origamidragons
October 3rd, 2015 12:22am
Because people are biased and ignorant and don't understand that sexuality is a natural and permanent characteristic.
Anonymous
September 14th, 2015 1:52pm
Often times when people do not share a common sexual orientation, one will think the other odd due to a lack of consideration or thought. It could also tie in with religious and cultural beliefs and whatnot which makes them look down upon others.
Brittneym101
May 31st, 2015 6:52am
My honest and simple answer to this question would be because they're ignorant. Your sexuality is NOT a Mental Disorder in any type of way, shape, form or fashion. Sometimes people can't help who/what they fall for. Just like straight people can't help that they fall for the opposite sex. People that aren't straight shouldn't be treated any differently than people in the LGBTQ community. You can't be punished for what you feel in your heart.
HappyPlaces
May 29th, 2015 6:02pm
Some people don't understand certain sexuality, like people have told me I can't like both boys and girls because that's not normal, so depending on what you are, people may not understand and it makes them uncomfortable so they try to demean you and bring you down because when most people don't understand it's "wrong and you're crazy"
Zozzie
May 28th, 2015 6:25pm
a common issue in societies throughout history is a response of hostility towards anyone outside of the cisgendered heterosexual norm. Unfortunately for many, this means an undeserved exclusion on the grounds of your 'atypical' identity. The idea that people of the LGBTQ+ community are 'invalids' or 'mentally disordered' is a construct created by a combination of fear, superstition, conflicts of faith (e.g religious interpretation), to name a few. Nobody is an invalid human being for having a specific identity trait, we are all human, its just unfortunate that many groups, including non-heterosexuals, have a long way to go before society will grant them status as their equals.
Anonymous
April 29th, 2015 11:51am
Because sexuality was labeled as a mental disorder in the past but had since been removed. However, times are changing right now but then there are still some people who were brought up with traditional values.
mysteriousWillow50
April 12th, 2015 11:08pm
Many fear the unknown, and because of their flawed attempted at understanding or trying to reconcile information...they're looking at it as if it were a disorder or not a valid thing. It may sound unusual, but...for those not familiar with the gender and orientation spectrum, it can cause confusion .
NotAllWhoWanderAreLostf
March 5th, 2015 10:20pm
I know that it can be hard to deal with. But some people simply just do not understand sexuality. It is not a mental disorder or invalid though. You are who you are.