Sexual orientation and gender diversity

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A person’s sexual and emotional attraction to another person and the behavior and/or social affiliation that may result from this attraction. Some examples of sexual orientation are lesbian, gay, heterosexual, straight, asexual, bisexual, queer, polysexual, and pansexual (also called multisexual and omnisexual).

Adapted from the APA Dictionary of Psychology

Grassroots and state-level advocacy

The last several years have seen an unprecedented spike in legislation around the country related to LGBTQ+ people

Learn more about these policy issues

Resources from APA

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Parents, pronouns, and public schools

Recent ruling upholds schools’ ability to maintain affirming environments
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APA Resolution on Gender-Based Violence

Approved by APA Council of Representatives, August 2026
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Speech or conduct? “Conversion therapy” bans

Supreme Court ruling calls into question states’ authority to enforce evidence-based standards of care
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Lower court to reconsider Chiles v. Salazar under stricter constitutional standard

State laws protecting patients from harmful practices delivered through talk therapy still under question
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What APA is doing

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Programs

Sexual orientation and gender diversity portfolio

Advancing the creation, communication, and application of psychological knowledge on gender identity and sexual orientation to benefit society and improve lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people’s lives.
Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity
Advocacy

LGBTQ+ health and civil rights

APA Services advocates for the equal treatment of people of all sexual orientations and genders, as well as policies that address disparities in health outcomes for people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender.

Resources for grassroots and state-level advocacy on LGBTQ+ issues

10 factors to consider when searching for a gender-competent therapist for your child

Guidelines for Psychological Practice with Sexual Minority Persons opens in new window

Guidelines for Psychological Practice with Transgender and Gender Nonconforming People opens in new window

Equity, diversity, and inclusion framework

Inclusive language guidelines

APA Style bias-free language guidelines: Sexual orientation

APA Style bias-free language guidelines: Gender

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