Occasionally when I do posts mocking the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) I get people questioning my right to do so. After all, the APA are qualified professionals and I’m just a crazy person potential patient. Well today on Twitter Christine Burns pointed me to this online course that focuses on the role of the DSM as a political tool. There are plenty of academic references and links for further reading.

Elsewhere there have been a few other items of news that point to the political nature of definitions of “mental illness”. After all, if it wasn’t political, why would the European Parliament feel it was necessary to call for an end to classifying trans people as mentally ill?

That’s by no means a popular stand to take. The comments on that Pink News article contain many comments from gays insisting that the horrible trannies are indeed crazy. The EP’s views would also not go down well with the Institute for Canadian Values, a “Christian” organization that wants to prevent Canadian children from being taught that trans people exist. They want their government to take action to enforce their preferred standards of normal social behavior.

Given this serious disagreement over what it means to be crazy, what is an LGBT person who feels in need of therapy to do? Well, one option is Pink Therapy, a new website that lists LBGT-friendly therapists. Most of the listed professionals are based in London, but I’m pleased to see how many there are around the rest of the country. At least if you approach one of these people you can be fairly sure that their politics won’t get in the way of their treating you.