American Psychiatric Association

In April 1952, the American Psychiatric Association (APA) declared homosexuality as a "sociopathic personality disturbance." This was in its first publication of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. After printing the diagnosis, the APA was heavily criticized and looked down upon by other scientists.  There was not a lot of research behind their statement. 

In 1973 the APA no longer considered homosexuality a psychiatric disorder. The APA ruling was a shift in mindset for the public and allowed LGBTQ members not to feel ashamed for who they were.