I think it's important, nay vital, to distinguish between healthy variation and disease.
I have asthma. I struggle with it. I have no trouble calling it a disease or saying it needs a cure.
I am lesbian. I am just fine this way. It isn't a disease and it doesn't need a 'cure.' I don't know what causes it, but if a certain hormone balance helps make some of us lesbian, no it is not an 'imbalance,' because it is not a disease.
And all too often our society has tried to get rid of healthy variation. Left-handed children being forced to struggle with their right hands, and beaten if they did not. Lesbian, gay, bi and trans people being sent to mental institutions, many of whom were subjected to electroshock or lobotomy. And there are still reparative therapy and corrective rape.
I have asthma. I struggle with it. I have no trouble calling it a disease or saying it needs a cure.
I am lesbian. I am just fine this way. It isn't a disease and it doesn't need a 'cure.' I don't know what causes it, but if a certain hormone balance helps make some of us lesbian, no it is not an 'imbalance,' because it is not a disease.
And all too often our society has tried to get rid of healthy variation. Left-handed children being forced to struggle with their right hands, and beaten if they did not. Lesbian, gay, bi and trans people being sent to mental institutions, many of whom were subjected to electroshock or lobotomy. And there are still reparative therapy and corrective rape.