Advocacy and Resources

The Society for the Psychology of Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity (SPSOGD) exists to advance the science and practice of LGBTQIA+ affirming psychology. Our science tells us that the impact of sociopolitical-level stressors, such as health care restrictions, negatively impacts the health and wellbeing of LGBTQIA+ communities. Additionally, the APA Multicultural Guidelines direct psychologists to “...advocate for accessibility and pursue treatment with social responsibility, inherent to the elements of social justice within the field of psychology.” (APA, 2017, p. 46). In our work, APA Division 44 strives to emphasize intersectionality in policies and legislation negatively impacting LGBTQIA+ communities, recognizing that intersecting systems of oppression result in disparate inequities in health and wellbeing.

Here you will find a sample of resources for engagement in LGBTQIA+ related advocacy in interpersonal, community, and systemic levels. If you are interested in joining SPSOGD advocacy efforts on behalf of the Division, APA and elected members of Congress, please consider joining the Public Policy Committee (PPC).

This page will be updated with resources as they are vetted and approved by the PPC. If you would like to submit a resource, email us.

Voices of Change: APA Leaders on LGBTQ+ Policy and Advocacy

This moderated webinar, recorded on Friday, April 17th, 2026, brought together leaders from across APA divisions and groups to discuss advancing LGBTQ+ rights and social justice through psychologist leadership. 
Moderated by: APA Division 44 Public Policy Committee Co-Chairs, Drs. Katy Trotta and Jared Boot-Haury.
Speakers included: Drs. Arlene Noriega, Zakary Clements, Jon Poquiz, and Kevin Delucio.
View webinar recordingopens in new window

Division 44 Resources

• For LGBTQIA+ children, adolescents and young adults in non-affirming environments
• Advocacy Resources for Psychologists
• 2023 Division 44 co-sponsored CODAPAR webinar series on public policy
  opens in new window
• Bisexual Issues Committee Newsletter
• Book Reviews

APA Resources

• APA Guidelines and Resolutions
• APA Publications
• Funding and Grantsopens in new window

Academic Resources

• Journals
• Science and Research
• Survey Resultsopens in new window

General Resources

General Public

• The Advocateopens in new window
  The leading source for up-to-date and extensive LGBT news also has an extensive website list.
• GLAADopens in new window
  The world’s largest Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ) media advocacy organization – increases media accountability and community engagement that ensures authentic LGBTQ stories are seen, heard, and actualized.
• CenterLinkopens in new window
  The Community of LGBTQ Centers CenterLink is a nonprofit organization and member-based association of LGBTQ centers and other LGBTQ organizations serving their local and regional communities.
• Transgender Law Centeropens in new window
  The largest national trans-led organization advocating self-determination for all people.
• Advocates for Trans Equalityopens in new window
  Advocates for Trans Equality fights for the legal and political rights of transgender people in America.
• National Center for LGBTQ Rightsopens in new window
  The National Center for LGBTQ Rights (NCLR) is the first national LGBTQ legal organization founded by women and brings a fierce, longstanding commitment to racial and economic justice and our community’s most vulnerable.
• Lambda Legalopens in new window
  The Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund, Inc. (“Lambda Legal”) is a national organization working to achieve full recognition of the civil rights of lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, transgender people and everyone living with HIV, through impact litigation, education and public policy work.

Family Members

• Family Equality Councilopens in new window
  Supporting families and advancing legal and lived equality for LGBTQ families, and for those who wish to form them, through building community, changing hearts and minds, and driving policy change.
• TransYouth Family Alliesopens in new window
  Empowering children and families by partnering with educators, service providers and communities, to develop supportive environments in which gender may be expressed and respected.
• PFLAGopens in new window
  PFLAG is the extended family of the LGBTQ community. We're made up of LGBTQ individuals, family members and allies. Because together, we're stronger.
• Trans Youth Equality Foundationopens in new window
  The Trans Youth Equality Foundation (TYEF) provides education, advocacy and support for transgender, nonbinary and gender non-conforming children and youth and their families.
• Family Acceptance Project opens in new window
  The Family Acceptance Project® (FAP) strives to increase family and community support for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer-identified (LGBTQ) children and youth to decrease health and mental health risks and to promote well-being. LGBTQ youth are at high risk for health and mental health problems related to social stigma.

Young People

• The Trevor Projectopens in new window
  Provides crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer & questioning (LGBTQ) young people under 25.
• TransFamily Support Servicesopens in new window
  TFSS is a family-centered organization supporting transgender and gender-diverse youth and their families through direct services, systems navigation, and advocacy. Our work is grounded in evidence-based, gender-affirming practices and aligns with APA’s commitment to promoting the health and wellbeing of LGBTQIA+ communities. All direct services are provided at no cost to families.
• GSA Network GSAopens in new window
  Network is a next-generation TQ2S+ racial and gender justice organization that empowers and trains queer, trans and allied youth leaders to advocate, organize, and mobilize an intersectional movement for safer schools and healthier communities.
• Gender Spectrumopens in new window
  Provides an array of services designed to help families, schools, professionals, and organizations understand and address concepts of Gender identity and expression.

Community Resources

For the Intersex Community

• Accord Allianceopens in new window
• Advocates for Intersex Youth
• AIS-DSD Support Group
• Bodies Like Ours
• Organization Intersex International in the US
• For the Asexual Community
  • The Ace and Aro Advocacy Project opens in new window
  • The Asexual Visibility and Education Network opens in new window
  • AceWeek opens in new window
  • International Asexuality Day opens in new window
• For Two-Spirit and LGBTQ+ Racial and Ethnic Minority Communities
  • Indian Health Service Two-Spirit/LGBTQI+ Health opens in new window
  • The Audre Lorde Projectopens in new window
• For the LGBTQ+ Military and Veteran Communities
  • Modern Military Association of Americaopens in new window
  • SPARTA Prideopens in new window

For the Aging LGBTQ Community

• APA Resources for Practitioners Working with Older Adults
• National Resource Center on LGBT Aging

For the LGBTQ Community after Trauma

• Resources on the Orlando Pulse Nightclub Tragedy and Mass Shootings (PDF, 3MB)opens in new window
  Thanks to Skyler Jackson, former Division 44 student representative.
• Reflections on the Orlando Tragedy (PDF, 335MB)
• For Practitioners Working with Clients Post-2016 Presidential Election

For Consensually Non-Monogamous Relationships

• Policy Statement on Nondiscrimination Protections for Consensually Non-Monogamous Adults (PDF, 251KB)opens in new window

Supporting LGBTQ Youth in Schools

Organizations

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – Adolescent and School Health
• National Association of School Psychology, Resources for LGBTQ Youth

Policy Recommendations

• School Administrator Recommendations for Supporting Transgender and Gender Diverse Students in Schools (PDF, 152KB)
• Health Personnel Recommendations for Supporting Transgender and Gender Diverse Students in Schools (PDF, 195KB)opens in new window
• Model District Policy on Transgender and Gender Noncomforming Students: Model Language, Commentary and Resources (PDF, 374KB)opens in new window
  — The Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN) and the National Center for Transgender Equality

Materials for School Administrators

• How Educators Can Support Families With Gender Diverse And Sexual Minority Youth (PDF, 220KB)
• School-Based Risk and Protective Factors for Gender Diverse and Sexual Minority Children and Youth (PDF, 115KB)opens in new window
• Key Terms and Concepts in Understanding Gender Diversity and Sexual Orientation Among Students (PDF, 216KB)opens in new window
• Just the Facts About Sexual Orientation and Youth: A Primer for Principals, Educators, and School Personnel
• Technical Assistance Partnership for Child and Family Mental Health (TA Partnership)

Bibliographies

• Transgender Bibliograph (PDF, 206KB)opens in new window
• LGBT Aging Bibliograph (PDF, 99KB)opens in new window

Print Resources

Please contact the Division 44 Education and Training Committee Chair for more information about the resources below as well as for a list of trainers and LGBTQ training topics.

• Biaggio, M. (2004, Spring). Thoughts on addressing institutional sensitivity to lesbian/gay/bisexual individuals and groups. Division 44 Newsletter, 25-26.
• Biaggio, M., Orchard, S., Larson, J., Petrino, K., & Mihara, R. (2003). Guidelines for gay/lesbian/bisexual-affirmative educational practices in graduate psychology programs. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 34, 548-554.

Advocacy Resources for Psychologists

This page is a continually developing resource for psychologists who are or who are considering active involvement in promoting evidence-based change in LGBTQ-related public policy.

Advocacy Foundations for Psychologists

• LGBTQ Social Justice Advocacy: A Resource Guide for Psychologistsopens in new window
• The Psychologist’s Guide to Advocacyopens in new window
• Anti-Bullying Resourcesopens in new window
• PsycAdvocateopens in new window 

Legislative Basics from our APA Office of Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity

• APA Federal Action Networkopens in new window
• APA Policy Statements on LGBT Concernsopens in new window 
• LGBT Resources for Grassroots and State-Level Advocacyopens in new window 

Resources by Advocacy Issue

• Transgender students’ discrimination complaints should be heard (PDF, 142KB)opens in new window Letter of concern to Department of Education from APA and Division 44. 
• Transgender military ban is discriminatory and spreads prejudice about transgender people and gender dysphoria (PDF, 82KB) opens in new windowDivision 44 statement affirming APA’s opposition to the ban. 

Developing Advocacy Capacity in your State, Province, or Territory Association

Example Materials from SPTAs

• Diversity Bylaws Statement (PDF, 9KB)opens in new window
• Diversity Officer Description (PDF, 12KB)opens in new window
• Diversity Statement (PDF, 16KB)opens in new window
• Current Policy
• Rapid Response Policy (PDF, 24KB)opens in new window
• 5 Myths in SPTAs that Prevent Responsible Social Action (PDF, 24KB)opens in new window 

GLMA – Health Professionals Advancing LGBTQ+ Equality

• Advocacy Resourcesopens in new window 

WPATH – World Professional Association for Transgender Health

• WPATH Public Statementsopens in new window