Psychiatrists' Group Names First Out Gay Leader

Forty years after declaring that homosexuality is not a mental disorder, the American Psychiatric Association has appointed its first openly gay CEO and medical director.

Saul Levin will take over the post when James H. Scully Jr. retires this fall, the Washington Blade reports. Levin "becomes the first known out gay person to head the APA, which was founded in 1844 and represents more than 33,000 psychiatric physicians in the U.S. and abroad," the Blade notes.

"I have known Saul for over 20 years," Scully said in a prepared statement. "He brings extraordinary intelligence, vision and great energy to the challenges ahead for our profession. I look forward to working together with him as we transition to new leadership."

Levin was also the first openly gay head of the Washington, D.C., Department of Health, where he has been interim director since last summer. "While this is a great loss for the District government, it is a great gain for the American Psychiatric Association," Mayor Vincent Gray said. "Dr. Levin has done an exemplary job leading DOH in this interim period, and I wish him the best in his future endeavors and thank him for his good work for us."