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Handbook of WMA Policies
World Medical Association ⏐ S-2013-03-2013
WMA STATEMENT
ON
NATURAL VARIATIONS OF HUMAN SEXUALITY
Adopted by the 64th
WMA General Assembly, Fortaleza, Brazil, October 2013
PREAMBLE
Healthcare professionals encounter many aspects of human diversity when providing care,
including different variations of human sexuality.
A large body of scientific research indicates that homosexuality is a natural variation of
human sexuality without any intrinsically harmful health effects.
As a consequence homosexuality was removed from the American Psychiatric Associa-
tion’s official diagnostic manual in 1973. The World Health Organization (WHO) removed
it from the ICD in 1990 following a similar process of scientific review. The Pan
American Health Organization (WHO) states: “In none of its individual manifestations
does homosexuality constitute a disorder or an illness, and therefore it requires no cure.”
Direct and indirect discrimination, stigmatisation, peer rejection, and bullying continue to
have a serious impact upon the psychological and physical health of people with a homo-
sexual or bisexual orientation. These negative experiences lead to higher prevalence rates
of depression, anxiety disorders, substance misuse, and suicidal ideations and attempts.
The suicide rate among adolescents and young adults with a homosexual or bisexual
orientation is, consequently, three times higher than that of their peers.
This can be exacerbated by so-called “conversion” or “reparative” procedures, which
claim to be able to convert homosexuality into asexual or heterosexual behaviour and give
the impression that homosexuality is a disease. These methods have been rejected by
many professional organisations due to a lack of evidence of their effectiveness. They
have no medical indication and represent a serious threat to the health and human rights of
those so treated.
RECOMMENDATIONS
The WMA strongly asserts that homosexuality does not represent a disease, but rather a
natural variation within the range of human sexuality.
The WMA condemns all forms of stigmatisation, criminalisation and discrimination of
people based on their sexual orientation.
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Fortaleza ⏐ S-2013-03-2013
Natural Variations of Human Sexuality
The WMA calls upon all physicians to classify physical and psychological diseases on the
basis of clinically relevant symptoms according to ICD-10 criteria regardless of sexual
orientation, and to provide therapy in accordance with internationally recognised treat-
ments and protocols.
The WMA asserts that psychiatric or psychotherapeutic approaches to treatment must not
focus upon homosexuality itself, but rather upon conflicts, which arise between homo-
sexuality, and religious, social and internalised norms and prejudices.
The WMA condemns so-called “conversion” or “reparative” methods. These constitute
violations of human rights and are unjustifiable practices that should be denounced and
subject to sanctions and penalties. It is unethical for physicians to participate during any
step of such procedures.
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