ABSTRACT
This chapter provides a queer liberationist, socio-political analysis of both the American Psychiatric Association’s (APA) Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) fifth edition and the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD) 10th edition. The focus is on the Paraphilias in the Sexual and Gender Identity Disorders section, which encompass fetishistic sex, as warranting diagnostic status for being what is perceived to be outside of normative sexual activities. Utilizing a queer liberationist lens that resists heteronormative and cisgender notions of sexuality and gender identity, the subsection on the Paraphilias is interrogated based on social constructions of dominant race, sexuality, gender and class notions of normality. The lack of scientific evidence to substantiate the inclusion of a number of paraphilia-based diagnoses are addressed and the internal disagreements within psychiatry exposed. Argued is that such diagnostic labels contribute to oppressive forms of hegemonic discourse and regulation of sexual desire that serve only to further marginalize kinksters and in particular LGBT populations therein. Such knowledge will assist social workers in working with these service recipients as well as with interdisciplinary colleagues in mental health settings.
