APA Membership in IPsyNet

APA is a member of IPsyNet, the International Psychology Network for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Issues. IPsyNet works to increase psychological knowledge of sexual orientation and gender diversity, apply psychological knowledge in support of the human rights and well-being of sexual and gender minorities, and increase the number of psychological organizations that develop and implement standards of care for LGBT people. The Office on Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity provides secretariat, in collaboration with the Office of International Affairs, for IPsyNet.

The establishment of IPsyNet was recommended in the final report of the international meeting Sexual Orientation and Mental Health: Toward Global Perspectives on Practice and Policy (PDF, 496KB)opens in new window, which met in San Francisco in 2001 and was sponsored by several national and international psychological associations.

Two APA members are appointed by the president to represent the association in IPsyNet and serve staggered three year terms. APA's current representative is Sharon Horne, PhD, (2013-2015). A second representative will be appointed soon from a recent call for nominations.

APA’s IPsyNet representatives participate in bi-monthly calls of one hour each, and activities of the Programming, Policy or Workshop Committees between calls. To the extent possible, IPsyNet representatives participate in international psychology conferences, including the International Congress of Psychology and the International Congress of Applied Psychology.

Areas of Activity

Key areas of activity include developing and increasing programming in international meetings of psychology, and policy advocacy within international psychology and health and beyond.

APA’s IPsyNet representatives also participate as co-chairs in quarterly conference calls of the APA Oversight Group, which oversees APA’s participation in IPsyNet, and nominates two APA members for appointment by the APA president to represent the association.

Oversight Group

The Oversight Group is composed of representatives appointed by the Board for the Advancement of Psychology in the Public Interest, the Committee on International Relations in Psychology, the APA Graduate Students Committee, the Committee on Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity, Div. 44 (Society for the Psychology of Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity), and Div. 52 (International Psychology).

How to Become an IPsyNet Representative

If there is not presently an active call for nominations and you have interested in potentially serving as one of APA’s representatives in the future, please contact the Office on Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity by email or by phone: (202) 336-6041