The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) published by the American Psychiatric Association is widely considered the last word on what constitutes “mental illness” by mental health, medical, and legal professionals — despite its many flaws and biases. It has a long record of being used to label gays and lesbians as “deviant,” and is still being used that way against trans people. Guest blogger Joan Blagg explains how you help change that.

by Joan Blagg

Right now you may be crazy for wearing a dress or pants. You can help change that.

There is a very important book that could rule your life. Chances are you have never seen it, read it, or even heard about it. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) is used by mental health, law, justice, and governmental professionals as the final word about how they should treat you. Consider it the bible for psychiatrist types. They believe in it, and like all bibles it can not be wrong.

This book guides the above-mentioned professionals in deciding whether you should be treated as mentally ill or left alone, locked up, punished, or placated. All of us are at the mercy of this book’s text, which is written by a group of mainly white, older, straight men (and a few women) with respected college educations. Do you want to guess how much experience these people have ever had at being GLBT? Do you want their interpretation of the world telling you what have to do or endure? Homosexuality and lesbianism were considered under “deviant behaviors” until the last update of this manual. Trans people still are.

You have a chance to help change this. The Professionals Concerned With Gender Diagnoses in the DSM run a website concerning psychiatric nomenclature and diagnostic criteria for gender-variant, gender-nonconforming, transgender, and transsexual people in the upcoming Fifth Edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5).

Go to their website . Read it. Then follow the instructions to add your comments to the DSM author’s website. Public comments are open until June 15. Please.