LGBTQ Psychiatrists and Psychotherapists
Psychology, along with Sociology, was one of the first disciplines to study homosexuality. Much of this work has informed society on the behavior and normality of homosexual individuals. Of course, we all know that the removal of homosexuality as an abnormality or disorder of human behavior by the psychiatric profession was a great step forward for LGBTQ human rights. This conclusion was based on extensive factual scientific research that countered popular opinion to the contrary.
Many individuals in the profession who have advanced this knowledge, or are doing so today, were or are themselves LGBTQ. Some are well known to us (such as Alfred Kinsey or Henry Havelock Ellis) while others work behind the scenes. These professionals aid the community at large in understanding and coping with aspects as diverse as dealing with HIV/AIDS, transgender, youth and parenting, relationship counseling, suicide, spirituality, and more.
The profession works with LGBTQ individuals who are confronted with mental and social challenges placed on them by an intolerant and unaccepting (or ignorant) society. One could ask: is there a correlation between intolerance and the extent of professional psychologists per population in a given country?
The following LGBTQ individuals have made notable contributions to the profession:
- Roger Brown, United States
- Dominic Davies, Great Britain
- Henry Havelock Ellis, United States
- Paul Goodman, United States
- Margharita Graglia, Italy
- Marjorie Hill, United States
- Joyce Kauffman, United States
- Neal King, United States
- Alfred Kinsey, United States
- Davine Kotalski, United States
- Lori Ross, Canada
- Adrienne Smith, United States
- Samuel Steward, United States
- Eric Yarbrough, United States
