Europe News

Nov 17, 2008, 10:34 GMT

Swedes remove cross-dressing from medical "diagnoses" list

Stockholm - Several forms of sexual behaviour including cross-dressing and transvestism are to be removed from a list of medical 'diagnoses' in Sweden, the National Board of Health and Welfare said Monday. The agency has in recent years been approached by various organizations including the Swedish Association for Sexuality Education (RFSU) that have been concerned over the classification system, which is used mainly to compile healthcare statistics. 'We know that the classification codes are often regarded as diseases, regardless of what they mean,' agency director general Lars- Erik Holm said in a statement. 'This is unfortunate, since it can contribute to maintaining and enhancing prejudices in society, which in turn increases the risk that individuals are socially stigmatized,' Holm added. Other forms of behaviour due to be dropped as of January 2009 include fetishism and sadomasochism. Holm said the National Board of Health and Welfare would also raise the issue internationally, noting that the World Health Organization has started to revise its disease classification. Swedish transvestite Claes Schmidt, also known as Sara Lind, told Stockholm daily Dagens Nyheter HE welcomed the decision. Schmidt, who is married and lives in the southern city of Malmo, has been open about being a transvestite since 2003 and often gives lectures on the topic, and on gender and equal rights.

And Also

The Decade: Film's 10 Best Music Moments In The Aughts

The Decade: Film's 10 Best Music Moments In The Aughts - Cinema Blend
GASP: Goldstriker creates world's most expensive iPhone - The Tech Herald
Shhh, It's a Secret: Why Stars Keep Their Relationships Quiet - PopEater
Chris Rock interview, Sons of Anarchy and Woody Allen shout out for 'Madagascar' star

Your Talkback on this Story

Similar articles

Four activists share 2009 "Alternative Nobel" (Roundup)
Four activists share 2009 "Alternative Nobel" (1st Lead)
Four activists share 2009 "Alternative Nobel"
Sweden approves same-sex marriage legislation
Women in developing countries "impacted by financial crisis"

Latest Headlines in Europe

Older Talkback

Europe: Index

: News; Features; Video News

Latest Pics

From Sites we Like

It's not the Christmas season in Britain until special hospitals are opened to treat drunken revellers. So it is now officially the Christmas season in Britain [Interesting]
"Jesus Christ ate fish, and I hope you're not trying to claim moral superiority over him" [Interesting]
Sculptures made of scrap car parts all day pictures of you will see coolest (Overused Headline Scramble) [Interesting]

More Not News from Fark

In Monsters and Critics

: Arts; Books; DVD; Gaming; Lifestyle; Movies; Music; News; People; Science & Nature; Sport; TV; Archives
Other Languages and Sites: Deutschland (Monsters and Critics); The Tech Herald; Free Games

Entertainment: Arts; Books; DVD; Gaming; Movies; Music; People; Soundtracks; TV
Media: Celebrity Photos; Movie Pictures; Movie Trailers; Movie Posters; Theatre Stills; Celebrity Video; Music Video
Released this week: Movies - USA; Movies - UK; DVD - USA
Distractions: Online Games; Daily Crossword; Sudoku Classic; Daily Jigsaw

World News: US; UK; Americas; Europe; Middle East; Asia Pacific; South Asia; Africa; Business; Education; Health
Science and Tech: Science and Nature; Technology
Lifestyle: Autos; Fashion; Life; Travel

Corporate

: About; Advertise; Contact; The Team; Vacancies; Privacy; RSS; Site Map; Terms; Webmasters

The Fine Print

© 2003 - 2009 by Monsters and Critics.com, WotR Ltd. All Rights Reserved. All photos are copyright their respective owners and are used under license or with permission. * Note M&C cannot be held responsible for the content on other Web Sites.

Servers supplied by Servint