About Division 44

The Society for the Psychology of Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity (SPSOGD) welcomes all those interested in psychological research, practice, education and training and advocacy on issues related to sexual orientation and gender diversity, as well as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and gender nonconforming and queer individuals and allies.

Div. 44 (SPSOGD) is committed to advancing social justice in all its activities. The Society celebrates the diversity of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and gender nonconforming and queer people and recognizes the importance of multiple, intersectional dimensions of diversity including but not limited to: race, ethnicity, ability, age, citizenship, health status, language, nationality, religion and social class.

The Society seeks to be a vibrant and supportive home within the field of psychology for those interested in sexual orientation and gender diversity as well as other issues related to social justice. We support and mentor students, early career professionals and all members throughout their professional careers. We work collaboratively with other divisions and organizations on sexual orientation and gender diversity concerns to advance the health and well-being of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and gender nonconforming and queer people locally, nationally and internationally.

The primary purposes of the Society shall be:

• To advance the contributions of psychology as a discipline to the understanding of sexual  orientation and gender diversity through basic and applied research;
• To promote the development and delivery of affirmative psychological services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender and gender nonconforming and queer people;
• To promote education and training on sexual orientation and gender diversity across contexts and audiences;
• To use psychological knowledge to advocate for the advancement of social justice, public interest and the welfare of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender and gender nonconforming and queer people;
• To inform the general public about research, practice, education and training and advocacy efforts related to sexual orientation and gender diversity.
  

In all of our activities, we take an intersectional approach to understanding the multiple systems and factors that influence lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and gender nonconforming and queer people.

Further, the Society appreciates the historic struggles of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and gender nonconforming and queer people within psychology and broader national and international sociopolitical contexts. We acknowledge and honor the advocacy efforts undertaken by past and current members to promote social justice and inclusivity. We aim to preserve and apply the lessons learned from our history in our activities promoting research, affirmative practice, education and training and advocacy.

Through its various committees and task forces, events, and via the awards and honors given to outstanding contributors, Div. 44 enlarges the scope of psychology's understanding of the needs of sexual minority individuals and communities. Div. 44 works together with other groups in APA, particularly the Lesbian, Gay Bisexual and Transgendered Concerns Office of the American Psychological Association, to advance affirmative science, practice, and public policy.

APA's Div. 44, founded as the Society for the Psychological Study of Lesbian and Gay Issues in 1985 by a group of pioneering LGB psychologists and their allies, is psychology's focal point for research, practice, and education on the lives and realities of LGBT people. With over 1,500 members, Div. 44 represents all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and eleven foreign countries on every inhabited continent.

The Division has its historical material housed at the Cornell University Library. They include:

• Society for the Psychological Study of Lesbian and Gay Issues, 1981-1998
• Association of Gay And Lesbian Psychologists Records, 1973-1992

Material of significance to the division's history may be sent to:

Brenda J. Marston, Curator
Human Sexuality Collection and Library Women's Studies Selector
Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections
2B Carl A. Kroch Library
Cornell University
Ithaca, NY 14853-5302
Telephone: (607) 255-3530
Fax: (607) 255-9524