Skip to content

If ever we needed in this country to adopt a new attitude…

“If ever we needed in this country to adopt a new attitude towards homosexuality, this is the time. Instead of treating it as a crime, and driving it underground, we ought to recognize it for what it is: it's a mental illness, it's a psychiatric condition which ought to be treated sympathetically…” quote by Tommy Douglas
Download Open image
“If ever we needed in this country to adopt a new attitude towards homosexuality, this is the time. Instead of treating it as a crime, and driving it underground, we ought to recognize it for what it is: it's a mental illness, it's a psychiatric condition which ought to be treated sympathetically by psychiatrists and social workers.”

Tommy Douglas

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Advocates treating homosexuality as a mental health issue rather than a crime, urging compassionate medical and social support.

In simple terms: Suggests homosexuality is a psychiatric condition needing sympathetic care.

Key Takeaway

Promote empathetic treatment over criminalization.

Themes

healthity health social policy

Mood

concerned hopeful

Type

advocacy policy

When to use this quote

  • Medical counseling
  • public health campaigns
  • policy reform
  • education programs

Key Concepts

Psychiatry social welfare LGBT rights

Questions to Reflect On

  • How does labeling affect stigma?
  • What are humane alternatives to criminalization?
A Different Perspective

Modern consensus views homosexuality as a normal variation, not a disorder.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet

More by Tommy Douglas

Explore all 38 Tommy Douglas quotes

More Attitude quotes

Browse all 9,543 Attitude quotes