American Psychoanalytic Association apologizes for previously treating homosexuality as a mental illness

The American Psychoanalytic Association issued an apology on Friday for previously categorizing homosexuality as a mental illness, Reuters reported.

What are the details?

The organization said that previous classifications likely contributed to discrimination and trauma to those identifying as LGBTQ, according to a Reuters report.

"It is long past time to recognize and apologize for our role in the discrimination and trauma caused by our profession and say, 'We are sorry,'" Dr. Lee Jaffe — president of the American Psychoanalytic Association — said according to the report.

Jaffe said that he plans to deliver a formal apology on Friday at the opening session of the organization's annual meeting in San Diego.

“It's hard to admit that one has been so wrong," Jaffe said.

According to USA Today, the organization is the first mental health organization in the U.S. to issue such an apology.

"Regrettably some of that era's understanding of homosexuality and gender identity can be attributed to the American psychoanalytic establishment," Jaffe said.

The outlet also reported that the organization's apology was "prompted by the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall uprising, as well as the New York Police Department's apology for Stonewall issued earlier in June."

"We all know that hearing the words 'we are sorry' is important to healing past trauma," Jaffe said.