Linking work stress to how individuals "become" gay is an example of how mental health language can be used to cause harm to the LGBTQ+ community, said critics of a minister who recently made the claim in the Dewan Rakyat.

They argued that this tactic amounts to pathologising, where certain identities or behaviours are framed as medical disorders to justify control, discrimination, or punishment of marginalised groups.

Clinical psychologist Shaleen Chrisanne said this strategy masquerades as...