Title 42, The Public Health and WelfareRelease 119-110

§12211 Definitions

Title 42 › CHAPTER 126 — EQUAL OPPORTUNITY FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES › SUBCHAPTER IV — MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS › § 12211

Last updated Sep 23, 2026|Official source

Summary

Says being gay or bisexual is not a medical impairment and is not a disability under this law. Also says these are not disabilities: sexual behavior disorders (for example, transvestism, transsexualism, pedophilia, exhibitionism, voyeurism, and gender identity disorders that are not caused by a physical problem); certain impulse-control problems (compulsive gambling, kleptomania, pyromania); and substance use disorders that result from current illegal drug use.

Full Legal Text

Title 42, §12211

The Public Health and Welfare, Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)Homosexuality and bisexuality
For purposes of the definition of “disability” in section 12102(2) of this title, homosexuality and bisexuality are not impairments and as such are not disabilities under this chapter.
(b)Certain conditions
Under this chapter, the term “disability” shall not include—
(1)transvestism, transsexualism, pedophilia, exhibitionism, voyeurism, gender identity disorders not resulting from physical impairments, or other sexual behavior disorders;
(2)compulsive gambling, kleptomania, or pyromania; or
(3)psychoactive substance use disorders resulting from current illegal use of drugs.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

References in Text

This chapter, referred to in text, was in the original “this Act”, meaning Pub. L. 101–336, July 26, 1990, 104 Stat. 327, which is classified principally to this chapter. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see

Short Title

note set out under section 12101 of this title and Tables. section 12102 of this title, referred to in subsec. (a), was amended generally by Pub. L. 110–325, § 4(a), Sept. 25, 2008, 122 Stat. 3555, and, as so amended, provisions formerly appearing in par. (2) are now contained in par. (1).

Prior Provisions

A prior section 512 of Pub. L. 101–336, which amended former section 706 of Title 29, Labor, was renumbered section 513.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

42 U.S.C. § 12211

Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare

Last Updated

Sep 23, 2026

Release point: 119-110