Charles Silverstein was an American writer, therapist, and LGBTQ rights advocate known for persuading the American Psychiatric Association through his presentation as a graduate student to reassess its classification of homosexuality as a mental disorder. Before Silverstein studied clinical psychology for three years at the City University of New York graduating in 1959. He later became a student at Rutgers University where he joined the Gay Activists Alliance. In 1973 he provided a key testimon... moreCharles Silverstein was an American writer, therapist, and LGBTQ rights advocate known for persuading the American Psychiatric Association through his presentation as a graduate student to reassess its classification of homosexuality as a mental disorder. Before Silverstein studied clinical psychology for three years at the City University of New York graduating in 1959. He later became a student at Rutgers University where he joined the Gay Activists Alliance. In 1973 he provided a key testimony that reshaped the classification of homosexuality as a mental illness to the American Psychological Association. In 1974 he earned his PhD in social psychology from Rutgers University and subsequently opened his own private psychology practice. He went on to write books and essays about homosexuality like The Joy of Gay Sex. He was also the founding editor of the Journal of Homosexuality. Silverstein received the Gold Medal Award for Life Achievement in the Practice of Psychology from the American Psychological Association in 2011 and Lifetime Achievement Social Justice Award from the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies in 2022.
