Homosexuality Is A Mental Disorder

Thank you, Con, for your well-mannered and professional response. It's refreshing to be able to debate such a controversial topic without being personally attacked. I hope you are not offended by the matter-of-fact manner in which I might argue.In regards to the rules you suggested, I won't explicitly agree to them because I trust the voters will exercise reasonable discretion in assigning points in their vote. I don't want them to feel pressured in any way.Now, on to the topic at hand again.If Con succeeds in negating only one point from both of my first definitions, it is true that those arguments of mine become refuted; however, this does not necessarily determine the winner of this debate because I am free to present new arguments in future rounds.The third point of my Wikipedia definition was:3. Generally associated with distress or disability.Con has tried to nullify my argument on this point by saying that I assume correlation implies causation. Even if this were true, it wouldn't undermine my argument. The fact still remains, unrefuted, that homosexuality is generally associated with distress.Con says that "it is not homosexuality itself that is associated with distress, but rather bullying and related factors." This is an illogical conclusion. If factors related to homosexuality are associated with distress, then it follows that by extension, homosexuality is associated with distress.Con says that "the increased rates of other mental disorders for homosexuals has not been demonstrated to be an effect of homosexuality in any way." This is also incorrect. By sheer numbers and association, increased rates of other mental disorders have been demonstrated to be an effect of homosexuality, despite the fact that I concede 'demonstrate' doesn't necessarily mean 'prove.'Con has implicitly conceded that homosexuality is a mental disorder, and by extension, his entire case, through his phrasing of the previously quoted statement. Nevertheless, I will continue.The fourth point of my Wikipedia definition was:4. Not considered part of normal development of a person's culture.The culture in question was never specified, so I defaulted to the American culture, and my opponent has yet to suggest a different one.Con claims that the legality of gay marriage "has nothing to do with whether homosexuality is accepted." This is false. Legal recognition of homosexual relationships is the utmost sign of social approval, and the absense of it in spite of the gay rights movement speaks volumes.Con poses the following question: "does this mean that homosexuality is not a mental disorder in states that have legalized same-sex marriage?" To this, I respond in like fashion: Would schizophrenia cease to be a mental disorder if it were not legally recognized as such?Con says that numerous cultures throughout history have recognized homosexuality, but this doesn't refute my point. Recognizing homosexuality is not the same as accepting it.In summary, Con has failed to refute point 4 of the Wikipedia definition.Point 1 of the Britannica definition was:1. Illness.Con argues that pregnancy is an illness according to my standards. Were I to concede this, it would not refute my argument. Pregnancy does not satisfy all the criteria for mental disorder, so Con's analogy misses the point. This first point remains unrefuted.Point 3 of the Britannica definition was:3. Associated with either a painful or distressing symptom or an impairment in one or more important areas of functioning.Con, again, tries to refute this point by claiming that I assume correlation equals causation, but this refutes nothing. To satisfy criterion 3, I do not need to prove that homosexuality causes a painful or distressing sumptom or an impairment in an important area of functioning; I need only prove that it is associated with it. This I have done, and Con has failed to refute all of my examples.Con claims that I misrepresented my 10th source. This is incorrect, and I have not. The study does conclude that claims of drastically increased mortality rates among homosexuals appear unjustified, but I have not made such a claim. I only said that homosexuals have a higher mortality rate; I never said it was drastically higher.I pointed out the self-evident fact that homosexuality discourages procreative intercourse, and by extension, the survival of the human species. In response, Con attacks a strawman. I never raised a concern for the extinction of humanity. By not arguing against it, Con has conceded my point.In another failed attempt at refuting point 3, Con attacks another strawman. I never concluded that homosexuality directly causes problematic behaviors; in fact, I do not even need to to satisfy criteria 3. I only need to demonstrate how problematic behaviors are associated with homosexuality. As I have succeeded in proving that homosexuaity is significantly associated with the behaviors in question, I have satisfied point 3. My arguments concerning parenting also remain unrefuted, as the previously described strawman was attacked instead.Con rightfully points out that I failed to list source 14. I apologize. Here it is: James T. Sears, “Challenges for educators: Lesbian, gay, and bisexual families", The High School Journal, 1993-1994, page 140.Currently, all the required criteria for constituting a mental disorder have been shown to be satisfied by homosexuality, and my case remains solid.I will now proceed with further arguments to demonstrate homosexuality as aligning with various empirical criteria that, when all satisfied, reasonably constitute a mental disorder.A) Statistical infrequency. Homosexuality is rare. According to Gary J. Gates of the Williams Institute, a mere 1.7% of the population identifies as homosexual. (15) In comparison, 2.6% suffer bipolar, and 1.1% suffer schizophrenia. (16)B) Personal distress. Homosexuality is disproportionately associated with personal distress as evidenced by it's correlation with an exceptionally high rate of suicide and co-comorbidity with other mental disorders.C) Maladaptiveness. Homosexuality is self-evidently maladaptive; it discourages reproduction and propagation of people!D) Deviation from social norms. Homosexuality is a deviation from social norms. Its obviously not considered normal by society; homosexuals in the United States encounter extensive prejudice, discrimination, and violence because of their sexual orientation. Also, discrimination against lesbian, gay, and bisexual people in employment and housing appears to remain widespread. (17)I await my opponent's rebuttal, and thank him again for his professional and well-mannered arguments.(15) http://williamsinstitute.law.ucla.edu...(16) http://www.nimh.nih.gov...(17) http://www.apa.org...