News & Events

Div. 44 sponsors several events throughout the year. They include scholarly presentations, social gatherings, and cross-disciplinary meetings, offering opportunities for connection and transformation in the company of LGBT and ally colleagues.

• Statement of Support for APA Leadership From the Div. 44 Executive Committee
  Div. 44 expresses its appreciation to APA’s governing Council of Representatives and Board of Directors for their leadership in developing association responses to many of the issues raised by the Independent Review.
• Div. 44 has signed a joint letter to the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology, Department of Health and Human Services, concerning a proposal to include sexual orientation and gender identity information and categories in the HHS certification process for electronic health record systems. The letter, however, points out that the proposed categories are not adequate in capturing the reality of identities and expressions of sexual orientation and gender minorities, and proposes new language.
  
  Altogether 152 organizations and several dozen individuals sign the letter. Thanks to key colleagues at Fenway Institute (Harvey Makadon, Adrianna Sicari, and Andrea Karis), Kellan Baker at the Center for American Progress, and Elina Alterman at the National Partnership for Women and Families for their help understanding this complex process and their logistical support.

In his first month as president of the American Psychological Association, Barry Anton, PhD, awarded presidential citations to two members of Div. 44's presidential trio.

At the National Multicultural Conference and Summit in Atlanta, Michael L. Hendricks, PhD, received a citation, "For his critical work on behalf of transgender and other gender nonconforming individuals." The certificate cited Hendricks' expertise in "theoretical, evaluative and treatment concerns for transgender and other gender nonconforming individuals" and his lead role in the development of the Minority Stress model for transgender persons which "brings his expertise in suicide assessment and management to this particularly vulnerable population." Anton cited evidence of Hendricks' "dedication to the needs of gender nonconforming clients in particular and LGBT clients more broadly."

Then, at the Division Leadership Conference in Washington, D.C., just a little more than a week later, Allen M. Omoto, PhD, received a citation, "For his passionate dedication to social justice and to bringing psychological science to bear on social policy." Omoto's certificate cited his "strong and lasting commitment to social justice and inclusion through his research, publications, teaching and mentorship, and leadership." The certificate noted that Omoto "inspires and leads his students and his colleagues to affect social justice through the science of psychology by his passion, his dedication...and by the example he sets for integrating his values into his personal and professional life."

Both recipients were unaware that they would be honored in this way. The surprise, it turns out, is a part of Anton's plan in presenting his presidential citations throughout the course of this year.

• National Multicultural Conference and Summit 2017
  Jan. 4-6, 2017
  Portland, Ore.

• 125th APA Annual Convention
  Aug. 3-6, 2017
  Washington, D.C.