Richard Isay
Encyclopedia
Dr. Richard Isay is a professor of psychiatry at Weill Cornell Medical College and a faculty member of the Columbia University Center for Psychoanalytic Training and Research.
Dr. Isay graduated from Haverford College
and the University of Rochester
, School of Medicine and Dentistry. Soon after completing his psychiatry residency at Yale University
, he completed training at the Western New England Psychoanalytic Institute.
Dr. Isay has written widely on the subjects of psychoanalysis and homosexuality, including texts such as Being Homosexual. In an autobiographical chapter of his book, Becoming Gay, he tells the story of how he spent ten years trying to change his homosexual orientation. During his analysis, he married. When he finished his analysis, he found himself once again having homosexual desires. For many years, as a closeted gay man, he began to write and present about homosexuality in psychoanalytic journals and meetings. He eventually came out of the closet and he and his wife divorced.
In Becoming Gay, Isay recounts that with the help of the ACLU, he threatened to sue the American Psychoanalytic Association
because of their discriminatory anti-gay policies. As a result, in 1991 the American Psychoanalytic adopted a non-discrimination policy for the training of candidates and then in 1992, in the promotion of teachers and supervisors.
In his 2006 book, Commitment and Healing: Gay Men and the Need for Romantic Love, Isay describes and explains the difficulty many gay men have sustaining romantic, loving relationships.
Dr Isay has appeared on Larry King Live
, The Oprah Winfrey Show
, 20/20, The Morning Show
and others.
In 1993 Isay was featured in the documentary "America Undercover
: Why am I Gay? Stories of Coming Out in America."
In 1995 Isay was profiled in the book, "Gay Soul: Finding the Heart of Gay Spirit and Nature", by Mark Thompson.
His son, David Isay, founded StoryCorps
, an ambitious oral history project. His younger son, Joshua, is a political consultant in New York.
Dr. Isay graduated from Haverford College
Haverford College
Haverford College is a private, coeducational liberal arts college located in Haverford, Pennsylvania, United States, a suburb of Philadelphia...
and the University of Rochester
University of Rochester
The University of Rochester is a private, nonsectarian, research university in Rochester, New York, United States. The university grants undergraduate and graduate degrees, including doctoral and professional degrees. The university has six schools and various interdisciplinary programs.The...
, School of Medicine and Dentistry. Soon after completing his psychiatry residency at Yale University
Yale University
Yale University is a private, Ivy League university located in New Haven, Connecticut, United States. Founded in 1701 in the Colony of Connecticut, the university is the third-oldest institution of higher education in the United States...
, he completed training at the Western New England Psychoanalytic Institute.
Dr. Isay has written widely on the subjects of psychoanalysis and homosexuality, including texts such as Being Homosexual. In an autobiographical chapter of his book, Becoming Gay, he tells the story of how he spent ten years trying to change his homosexual orientation. During his analysis, he married. When he finished his analysis, he found himself once again having homosexual desires. For many years, as a closeted gay man, he began to write and present about homosexuality in psychoanalytic journals and meetings. He eventually came out of the closet and he and his wife divorced.
In Becoming Gay, Isay recounts that with the help of the ACLU, he threatened to sue the American Psychoanalytic Association
American Psychoanalytic Association
American Psychoanalytic Association is an association of psychoanalysts in the United States. It was founded in 1911, and forms part of the International Psychoanalytical Association.-External links:**...
because of their discriminatory anti-gay policies. As a result, in 1991 the American Psychoanalytic adopted a non-discrimination policy for the training of candidates and then in 1992, in the promotion of teachers and supervisors.
In his 2006 book, Commitment and Healing: Gay Men and the Need for Romantic Love, Isay describes and explains the difficulty many gay men have sustaining romantic, loving relationships.
Dr Isay has appeared on Larry King Live
Larry King Live
Larry King Live is an American talk show hosted by Larry King on CNN from 1985 to 2010. It was CNN's most watched and longest-running program, with over one million viewers nightly....
, The Oprah Winfrey Show
The Oprah Winfrey Show
The Oprah Winfrey Show is an American syndicated talk show hosted and produced by its namesake Oprah Winfrey. It ran nationally for 25 seasons beginning in 1986, before concluding in 2011. It is the highest-rated talk show in American television history....
, 20/20, The Morning Show
Live with Regis and Kelly
Live! with Kelly is a syndicated American television morning talk show, hosted by Kelly Ripa. The show has aired since 1983 in New York City and 1988 nationwide. Tony Pigg has been the show's announcer since its inception...
and others.
In 1993 Isay was featured in the documentary "America Undercover
America Undercover
America Undercover is a television series of documentaries that airs on the cable television network HBO. Within the series are several sub-series, such as "Autopsy", "Real Sex" and "Taxicab Confessions". The series began in 1983 and, after a brief time being broadcast weekly in 2001, is now...
: Why am I Gay? Stories of Coming Out in America."
In 1995 Isay was profiled in the book, "Gay Soul: Finding the Heart of Gay Spirit and Nature", by Mark Thompson.
His son, David Isay, founded StoryCorps
StoryCorps
StoryCorps is an American non-profit organization whose mission is to record, preserve, and share the stories of Americans from all backgrounds and beliefs. StoryCorps grew out of Sound Portraits Productions as a project founded in 2003 by radio producer David Isay...
, an ambitious oral history project. His younger son, Joshua, is a political consultant in New York.
Further reading
- NZZ:Ein schwuler Kopf, interview with sexologist Simon LeVaySimon LeVaySimon LeVay is a British-American neuroscientist. He is known for his studies about brain structures and sexual orientation.-Personal life:LeVay was born on August 28, 1943 in Oxford, England...