George Weinberg

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George Weinberg – Life, Work & Influence in Psychology and LGBTQ Advocacy

George Weinberg (1929–2017) was an American psychologist, author, and activist best known for coining the term “homophobia.” Learn about his life, career, major contributions, philosophy, and memorable quotes.

Introduction

George Weinberg was a Jewish-American psychologist, psychotherapist, and public intellectual whose work reshaped how we understand prejudice, sexual orientation, and mental health. Perhaps his most enduring legacy is coining the term homophobia in the 1960s, thereby shifting public discourse to frame hostility toward gay people not as a natural norm but as a fear to be examined. His writings, therapeutic style, and social advocacy helped dismantle stigmas, humanize individuals, and influence both clinical practice and public attitudes toward LGBTQ people.

Early Life and Education

George Weinberg was born on May 17, 1929, in New York City.

Weinberg pursued undergraduate studies at the City College of New York, then obtained a master’s degree in English from New York University, while also studying statistics at the Courant Institute. Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Columbia University, writing a dissertation titled Clinical versus Statistical Prediction in Psychology.

Before his doctoral work, his strong background in mathematics and statistics informed how he approached psychology—keen to blend empirical rigor with human insight.

Career & Major Contributions

Coining “Homophobia” & Reframing Prejudice

George Weinberg is widely credited with inventing and popularizing the term homophobia in the mid-1960s to describe the irrational fear, hatred, or aversion toward homosexual people.

The word first appeared in public discourse (e.g. in Screw magazine in 1969) and was further elaborated in his 1972 book Society and the Healthy Homosexual.

By recasting hostility toward gay people as a kind of phobia, Weinberg shifted the burden of pathology from individuals to the environment and society. His framework influenced removal of homosexuality from the American Psychiatric Association’s list of mental disorders in 1973.

Writings & Therapeutic Philosophy

Weinberg was prolific as a writer, authoring books for both professional and general audiences. His key works include:

• Society and the Healthy Homosexual (1972)

• The Heart of Psychotherapy (1984) — which emphasized practical, humanized therapy rather than abstract theory

• Invisible Masters: Compulsions and the Fear That Drives Them

• Nearer to the Heart’s Desire

• The Taboo Scarf (a collection of essays)

• Why Men Won’t Commit: Getting What You Both Want Without Playing Games

• Self Creation, The Pliant Animal, Numberland, Shakespeare on Love

• Co-authored works with his spouse, Dianne Rowe: The Projection Principle, Will Power! Using Shakespeare's Insights to Transform Your Life

His therapeutic approach emphasized the therapeutic alliance, clear communication, minimizing shame, and respecting clients’ autonomy. He believed that the therapist’s language, assumptions, and attitudes could either heal or harm.

Social Activism & Legacy

Beyond clinical psychology, Weinberg was active in public discourse and LGBTQ activism. Because the concept of homophobia became part of public policy debates, educational curricula, and media discourse, his influence went well beyond therapy rooms.

Though he identified as heterosexual himself, he became a leading ally in the fight for de-stigmatization, equal rights, and psychological inclusion of LGBTQ people.

Historical Context & Impact

Weinberg’s career unfolded during a pivotal era for psychology and sexuality in the United States:

• In the 1950s and 1960s, homosexuality was widely pathologized; many therapists considered it a mental disorder. Weinberg challenged that narrative from within the discipline.

• The civil rights era, sexual liberation, and early LGBTQ activism created a climate in which ideas about normality, identity, and rights were being contested. Weinberg’s framing of stigma and fear resonated with broader social change.

• The American Psychiatric Association’s removal of homosexuality from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM) in 1973 was influenced in part by shifting scholarship and public pressure; Weinberg’s ideas contributed to that shift.

• Over time, “homophobia” entered mainstream vocabulary, academic discourse (in sociology, political science, public health), and law (anti-discrimination arguments). His conceptual influence persists.

Personality, Values & Approach

Weinberg was intellectually rigorous, socially courageous, and compassionate. He valued clarity in language, believing that naming a phenomenon (e.g. homophobia) can change how we think and respond.

He often criticized traditional psychological jargon when it obscured human experience; he strove to speak in language accessible to both clinicians and lay readers.

His respect for individual dignity and resistance to shame were central themes—not just in LGBTQ work but in his broader therapeutic philosophy.

Famous Quotes by George Weinberg

Below are some notable quotations attributed to him:

• “The roots of homophobia are fear. Fear and more fear.”

• “We each have a personal myth, a vision of who we really are and what we want. Health means that part of what you want is to give to others.”

• “But the cure for most obstacles is, Be decisive.”

• “Coming out to gays is a way of affirming sanity and self-worth.”

• “What worse illness can there be than acute conventionality. You should pray every night that you don’t wake up with it.”

• “The world will step aside for nearly anyone who has the courage of his or her opinions.”

• “I try not to deal with people’s hostility … though I must if they have something I need from them.”

These reflect his belief in naming, personal integrity, questioning conformity, and bridging insight with empathy.

Lessons from George Weinberg

• The power of naming. By coining “homophobia,” Weinberg gave people a tool to see prejudice as a psychological and social problem—not a justified attitude.

• Therapy is not about conformity. He pushed therapists to support identities, reduce shame, and respect individuality rather than forcing clients into normative molds.

• Social issues connect to inner life. His life shows how concepts from psychology can and should engage public policy, social justice, and cultural discourse.

• Courage in speaking truth. He challenged entrenched norms at a time when doing so was professionally risky.

• Evolution of ideas. Psychological and social ideas must continue evolving—language, norms, and understanding are not static.

Conclusion

George Weinberg continues to be a figure of profound influence in both psychology and LGBTQ affirmation. His work reminds us that prejudice often arises from fear, not identity—and that thoughtful language, compassionate therapy, and courageous public engagement can shift both minds and institutions.