News and events

Division 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.

• New nonbinary and pronoun fact sheets available now

• Division 44 releases two new fact sheets that provide up-to-date information on nonbinary identities and pronouns. The nonbinary fact sheet, available in both a two page format (PDF, 1MB)opens in new window and a large font format (PDF, 1MB)opens in new window, provides definitions of terms and clinical and research guidelines for working with nonbinary individuals. The pronoun fact sheet, also available in a two page format (PDF, 2MB)opens in new window and a large font format (PDF, 2MB)opens in new window, provides best practices related to pronouns.

• LGBTQ+ psychology group applauds expanding protections for sexual and gender diverse individuals (PDF, 112KB)opens in new window
  Division 44 (The Society for the Psychology of Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity) of the American Psychological Association (APA), applauds the May 10, 2021 decision1 of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to enforce federal prohibitions on sex discrimination to include sexual orientation and gender identity.

• Professional psychology groups urge the U.S. Department of Education to protect LGBTQ+ students at religious colleges and universities (PDF, 454KB)opens in new window
  Our signing professional psychological groups affirm the importance of religious diversity and freedom of religious expression. Further, our groups recognize that religion and spirituality (R/S) are important to the lives of thousands of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) people. This is an official statement of the Divisions, Societies, and Associations listed above, and does not represent the position of the American Psychological Association or any of its other Divisions or subunits.

• Division 44 and APAGS publish report on impacts of COVID-10 on psychology education and training
  The pandemic further exacerbates systemic inequities that disproportionately impact graduate students who are people of color, neurodiverse, international, immigrant, trans, queer, non-binary, and/or from disadvantaged socioeconomic backgrounds. This report summarizes the concerns of graduate students, early career psychologists, and the broader training community.

• LGBTQ+ psychology group applauds U.S. Supreme Court employment discrimination decision (PDF, 76KB)opens in new window
  APA's Division 44 applauds the June 15, 2020, decision of the United States Supreme Court.

• LGBT psychology group opposes Trump administration decision to remove non-discrimination in healthcare protections (PDF, 105KB)opens in new window
  Division 44 opposes the federal government’s rollback of nondiscrimination protections for sexual and gender diverse people in the Affordable Care Act.

• Solidarity with AAPAopens in new window
  Division 44 (The Society for the Psychology of Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity) of the American Psychological Association stands in solidarity with the Asian American Psychological Association (AAPA). We affirm the humanity of all Asian and Asian American communities, while also committing ourselves to anti-racist policies and practices. We endorse their statement denouncing xenophobia, discrimination and racism that have been amplified during the COVID-19 pandemic

• Division 44 Leaders Collaborate with GLMA
  The Society for the Psychology of Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity was well represented at the 37th GLMA Annual Conference in LGBTQ Health in New Orleans, La.

• LGBT Psychology Group Opposes Trump Administration Attempts to Weaken Nondiscrimination in Health Care Protections
  Division 44 opposes federal efforts to weaken nondiscrimination protections for sexual and gender diverse people in the Affordable Care Act.

• Nicholas E. Grant, PhD, recognized as APA Citizen Psychologist
  For his stellar leadership and service to the lesbian, gay, bisexual, queer and questioning (LGBTQ) communities, Grant has been recognized with the APA Citizen Psychologist Presidential Citation.

• Transgender students’ discrimination complaints should be heardopens in new window (PDF, 142KB)

• 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 dysphoriaopens in new window (PDF, 82KB)

• Division 44 statement affirming APA’s opposition to the ban.
  Official Division 44 Endorsements for APA President-elect
• Division 44 Statement on Charlottesville
  Division 44 has issued a statement regarding the August 2017 events in Charlottesville, Va.
• Distinguished Elder Award Speech
  Ruth Fassinger, Division 44, shares her acceptance speech from the National Multicultural Conference and Summit (NMCS), January 2017.

• I Am Stigma-Free
  Graduate Student Reflection: Supportive language and navigating difficult discussions around HIV serostatus.
• Division 44 has signed a joint letteropens in new window (PDF, 212KB) 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 Division 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.

Check back for upcoming events.