LGBT Pride 2014: Much to be Proud of at APA
Fifty-eight years ago, at APA's 1956 Annual Convention in Chicago, Evelyn Hooker presented her ground-breaking research on "normal homosexuals," debunking the popular myth that homosexual people are inherently less mentally healthy than heterosexual people. Hooker's work led to significant changes in how psychology views and treats people who are gay.
Since then, APA is proud to have been a leader in advancing a scientific perspective to improve the health and well-being of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people, of increasing understanding of sexual orientation and gender identity as aspects of human diversity, and of reducing stigma, prejudice, discrimination and violence toward LGBT people.
APA advances this work though the Committee on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Concerns, the Society for the Psychological Study of Lesbian and Gay Issues; and the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Concerns Office (LGBTCO 2013 Annual Report).
The articles, court briefs, policy resolutions and resources featured here attest to the scope and depth of APA's commitment to apply psychology to the fundamental problems of human welfare and social justice, and the promotion of equitable and just treatment and full human rights as it pertains to LGBT people through education, training and public policy.
Evelyn Hooker
Learn more about Evelyn Hooker and her work:
- Being Gay Is Just as Healthy as Being Straight
- The myth buster: Evelyn Hooker's groundbreaking research exploded the notion that homosexuality was a mental illness, ultimately removing it from the DSM
Amicus Briefs
With its "Friend of the Court" amicus briefs, APA stays on the cutting edge of securing LGBT dignity and equality by bringing relevant scientific research to legal issues on a range of topics.
Policy Statements
APA Policy Statements date from the first in 1975, Discrimination Against Homosexuals, to the most recent in 2011, Resolution on Marriage Equality for Same-Sex Couples. They have endeavored to bring the best and most current research to bear on the most significant issues and questions confronting LGBT people and society at large.
Professional Resources & Public Education
An ongoing task at APA is to distilling the findings of research on LGBT issues and concerns and making them available to psychologists, students, and the general public.
- Guidelines for Psychological Practice with Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Clients
- Public Information Brochures: Sexual Orientation/Homosexuality, Transgender/Gender Identity, Intersex Conditions
- Report of the American Psychological Association Task Force on Appropriate Therapeutic Responses to Sexual Orientation
- Report by the Task Force on Gender Identity and Gender Variance (PDF, 1.0MB)
- Lesbian and Gay Parenting
- Just the Facts about Sexual Orientation and Youth: A Primer for Principals, Educators, and School Personnel
- More APA resources on LGBT people and concerns
Related Resources
This Day In June
This uplifting and upbeat illustrated children's book shares the experience of attending an LGBT Pride festival. A Note to Parents and Caregivers provides information on how to talk to children about sexual orientation and gender identity in age-appropriate ways. May 2014.