Gerard van den Aardweg

Gerard J. M. van den Aardweg
Born	1936 Haarlem, Netherlands
Occupation(s)	Psychologist, psychotherapist
Known for	Work on homosexuality, parapsychology, near-death experience, anti-abortion issues

Gerard J. M. van den Aardweg (born 1936 in Haarlem) is a psychologist and psychotherapist from the Netherlands who operates a private practice. His published work covers topics including homosexuality, parapsychology, near-death experience, and issues related to anti-abortion.

In the context of the 2015 Irish referendum on marriage equality, he asserted that the Nazi party had origins connected to homosexual individuals and claimed that numerous scientific organizations are influenced by “active militant gays” advancing a gay rights agenda.

In 2017, van den Aardweg was among those who endorsed a statement alongside various clergy and scholars known as the "Filial Correction" directed at Pope Francis.

Biography

Van den Aardweg completed his doctorate in psychology at the University of Amsterdam with a 1967 thesis entitled "Homophilia, neurosis and compulsive self-pity," recognized as the first Dutch academic work focused on homosexuality. He disputes the notion that homosexuality is an innate biological condition, instead characterizing it as "a disease of infantile self pity." He maintains that individuals are not born homosexual and argues scientifically that homosexuality should not be equated with heterosexuality.

Previously, he served on the Scientific Advisory Committee for the National Association for Research and Therapy of Homosexuality (NARTH).

Selected works

• Gerard J. M. van den Aardweg, On the Psychogenesis of Homosexuality, The Linacre Quarterly, August 2011, Vol. 78, Issue 3, pp. 330–354
• Gerard J. M. van den Aardweg, On the Origins and Treatment of Homosexuality: A Psychoanalytic Reinterpretation, Tabor Publishing, Bruges, 1984, Vol. 2, 98 pages
• The Battle for Normality: Self-Therapy for Homosexual Persons (1997) ISBN 0898706149
• Hungry Souls (2009) ISBN 9780895558992