APA LGBTQ Resources and Publications

APA has made a significant contribution to the understanding of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex people since first dedicating staff time to these populations in 1987. Over the years, APA has produced many resources to educate the public, support the work of psychologists and inform public policy about LGBTQ people and their lives and health needs. This page provides many of those resources, organized by the primary audiences for which they are intended.

• Avoiding Heterosexual Bias in Language  
  Reprint: Committee on Lesbian and Gay Concerns. (1991). Avoiding heterosexual bias in language. American Psychologist^®, 46,  973-974.

• Avoiding Heterosexist Bias in Psychological Research  
  Reprint: Herek, G.M., Kimmel, D.C., Amaro, H., & Melton, G.B. (1991). Avoiding heterosexist bias in psychological research. American Psychologist, 46 (9), 957-963.

Students of Psychology

• APAGS Committee on Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity
  The APAGS Committee on Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity (APAGS-CSOGD) works on behalf of the community of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender graduate students in psychology and their allies nationwide. The committee provides education, advocacy and personal and professional development opportunities to ensure the successful graduate experience of LGBTQ and allied students. The committee aspires to build, strengthen, and empower its members through the use of innovative technologies, collaborative advocacy, and inclusive practice.

• Graduate Students in Psychology
  A selection of tools, resources, and scholarship and grant opportunities for graduate students in psychology.

• Making a Doctoral Program Lesbian & Bisexual Friendly/Welcoming
  These suggestions create an open and supportive environment for all students, both LGBTQ and heterosexual.

• Research Support and Awards  
  APA and non-APA opportunities.

Schools

• Just the Facts About Sexual Orientation and Youth: A Primer for Principals, Educators and School Personnel (Español)
  The information in this booklet has been developed by a coalition of education, health, mental health and religious organizations that share a concern for the health and education of all students in schools, including lesbian, gay, and bisexual students, and believe that all students should have an opportunity to learn and develop in a safe and supportive environment.

• Facing the school dropout dilemma  
  APA has a longstanding commitment to school dropout prevention as is evident from its 1996 resolution on the topic. This article seeks to complement and supplement the resolution with data from more recent research on child development, early childhood education, and social and emotional learning that helps to define the school dropout dilemma.

College

• College guide for LGBTQ Studentsopens in new window
  Each year, Campus Prideopens in new window  provides a comprehensive listing of the most LGBTQ-friendly colleges in the nation and hosts a college fair specifically geared toward LGBTQ youths and their families.

• LGBTQ Scholarships for College Studentsopens in new window
  Scholarships established for LGBTQ college students are available from several public and private organizations, as well as individual donors.

• Transgender College Students: A Guide to Finding a Supportive Schoolopens in new window
  This guide is designed to support trans students in learning about their rights, help them find colleges that affirm their value, and empower them to fully embrace their gender identity.

• This Day In Juneopens in new window
  This uplifting and upbeat book shares the experience of attending an LGBTQ 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.
  Children's book (May 2014).

• 10 factors to consider when searching for a gender-competent therapist for your child
  A resource for helping parents and guardians make informed decisions when seeking psychological support services for their children who are working through gender identity issues.

• Understanding Bisexuality  
  Information about APA resources pertaining to bisexuality, organizations that focus on bisexuality, and additional related resources.

• Reducing Sexual Prejudice: The Role of Coming Out
  Psychological research has concluded that active sharing by LGBTQ people of what their lives are like with people they know—whether in their families, communities or workplaces and schools—is very likely to reduce others' prejudice against LGBTQ people and increase their support for social and political equality.

• Report by the Task Force on Gender Identity and Gender Variance
  A 6 member task force reviewed the scientific literature and APA policies regarding transgender issues, then developed recommendations for education, professional training, and further research into transgenderism, and proposed how APA can best meet the needs of psychologists and students who identify as transgender or gender-variant.

• Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Health
  Information and resources from both government agencies and the non-profit health care community to address a range of LGBTQ health related topics.

• Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Aging
  Resources to address the unique disparities facing a growing population of older LGBTQ adults.

• Fact Sheet: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Persons & Socioeconomic Status
  Why individuals who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender are especially susceptible to being placed at a socioeconomic disadvantage.

• LGBTQ Concerns and International Psychology
  Resources for international LGBTQ human rights advocacy, including civil societies and the International Network on Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Concerns and Transgender Issues in Psychology.

• History of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Social Movements
  Essay written as an appendix for a lesson plan for high school psychology teachers.

• Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender History Month
  Resources on LGBTQ history and LGBTQ people.

• Lesbian and Gay Parenting   
  Includes a summary of research findings on lesbian mothers, gay fathers, and their children; an annotated bibliography of the published psychological literature; and additional resources relevant to lesbian and gay parenting.

• Marriage and Family Issues for LGBTQ People   
  APA resources, resolutions, and amicus briefs addressing parenting and family issues for LGBTQ people.

• Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Issues, Federal  
  Activity updates and resources provided by the APA Public Interest Government Relations Office.

• Resources for Grassroots and State-Level Advocacy on LGBTQ+ Issues
  Learn more about policy issues affecting the LGBTQ community. Includes talking points and references for more information on each topic.

• APA Expresses Opposition To State Bills Targeting LGBTQ Citizens
  APA statement in response to a proliferation of state level legislation in 2016 unfavorable to LGBTQ people, and in support for the federal Equality Act to provide protections nationwide for LGBTQ people against such unfair and harmful treatment.

• APA Policy Statements on Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Concerns
  Text and references of APA policy resolutions on lesbian, gay and bisexual concerns adopted by the American Psychological Association Council of Representatives.

• Amicus Briefs
  List of all Amicus Briefs filed by APA in support of lesbian, gay, and bisexual issues.

Guidelines for Psychological Practice with Transgender and Gender Nonconforming People

• Arabic (PDF, 1.0MB)opens in new window

• English (PDF, 616KB)opens in new window
  APA council adopted new guidelines, Aug. 5–7, 2015.

• Georgian (PDF, 1.4MB)opens in new window

• Italianopens in new window

• Portuguese (PDF, 816KB)opens in new window

• Spanish (PDF, 774KB)opens in new window

• Turkish (PDF, 7.7MB)opens in new window

• Applying the APA Guidelines for Psychological Practice for Transgender and Gender Nonconforming People in Everyday Practice
  The March 29, 2018, webinar presented by Sand Chang, PhD, describes the rationale for the guidelines, lists applications of the guidelines and discusses how to utilize related clinical skills.
  Webinar recordingopens in new window | Presentation (PDF, 1MB)opens in new window

Guidelines for Psychological Practice with Sexual Minority Persons

• Englishopens in new window
  Approved as APA Policy by the Council of Representatives, February 26–28, 2021.

• Chinese (PDF, 1.6MB)opens in new window

• Georgian (PDF, 6.2MB)opens in new window

• Polish (PDF, 1.2MB)opens in new window

• Spanish (PDF, 538KB)opens in new window

Report of the APA Task Force on Appropriate Therapeutic Responses to Sexual Orientation

• English
  A six-member task force conducted a systematic review of the peer-reviewed journal literature on sexual orientation change efforts (SOCE). They concluded that such efforts are unlikely to be successful and involve some risk of harm, contrary to claims of SOCE practitioners and advocates.

More for Practitioners

• Practitioner Resources and Publications
  A selection of tools and resources of particular interest to providers of psychological services.

• Issues in Psychotherapy with Lesbians and Gay Men: A Survey of Psychologists
  Reprint: Garnets, L., Hancock, K.A., Cochran, S. D., Goodchilds, J., and Peplau, L.A. (1991). Issues in psychotherapy with lesbians and gay men: A survey of psychologists. American Psychologist , 46, 964-972.

• Promoting Good Practices for Mental Health Facilities in Working with LGBTQ Clients with Serious Mental Illnesses
  Personnel who serve people with serious mental illness face important challenges in addressing the needs of LGBTQ clients.

• Psychological and Neuropsychological Assessment with Transgender and Gender Nonbinary Adults
  Key points to consider when administering or conducting an assessment with transgender, gender nonbinary, or gender diverse adults.

• LGBTQ Asylum Seekers: How Clinicians Can Help (PDF, 534KB)opens in new window
  This resource considers the ways in which psychologists can help asylum seekers cope with trauma and navigate systems, and distinguishes between assessment vs. therapeutic and advocacy roles.