Spring 2010
President Bonnie R. Strickland reported on the Div. 44 executive meeting. The meeting consisted of a number of different events: a business meeting, diversity training on classism, a reception with a roundtable program of invited guests, a visit from the APA President and other APA officers and staff and visits to Congressional Representatives to advocate for LGBT issues. The Executive Committee asked for an explanation of the rationale behind the decision not to boycott the Manchester Hyatt [during the 2010 convention]. APA President Carol Goodheart indicated that she shared the disdain that LGBT individuals had for Manchester’s contribution to the California Proposition 8. APA will devote significant time and resources to convention programming on marriage equity issues and on a national media outreach program in support of marriage equality.
Glenda M. Russell wrote that: “The intersection of psychology and public policy has been one of the most interesting and empowering aspects of my work as a psychologist.”
Ritch C. Savin-Williams authored an article on “The New Post-Gay, Lesbian, and Bisexual Teenager.” He commented that the notion that development of a sexual identity involves a predetermined trajectory is belied by recent scholarship. Sexuality is but one facet of an interactive system that comprises a youth’s personal identity, and this is true regardless of sexual orientation.
The American Psychological Association recommended to the World Health Organization that the category of classifications on psychological and behavioral disorders associated with sexual development and orientation (F66) be deleted from ICD-10. These recommendations were made to better reflect current scientific knowledge, to better reflect current practice and to reflect changes in the social understanding of sexual orientation and homosexuality.
Spring 2000
Kristin Hancock and Armand Cerbone announced that APA Council of Representatives adopted the Guidelines for Psychotherapy with Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Clients by a unanimous vote. Alan Malyon, who co-chaired a task force that included Catherine Acuff, Connie Chan, Susan Cochran, Linda Garnets, Jackie Goodchilds, and Ann Peplau, first envisioned the guidelines in 1984. It led to a survey published in 1991 by the American Psychologist documenting the need for the guidelines. Clinton Anderson was very helpful in drafting and revising the guidelines throughout long meetings during weekends.
Esther Rothblum, president, expressed concern with the number of people who advise students not to conduct research on lesbian, gay and bisexual issues. She noted the importance for Div. 44 members to encourage the next generation of students and junior colleagues by setting an example of the importance of this work.
Jim Fitzgerald reported that the APA Committee on Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Concerns is seeking to serve as a source of information and support for states and to help strengthen local efforts on LGB issues.
Harold Kooden reported that the International Gay and Lesbian Association, founded in Europe in 1978, is the largest global group of its kind fighting discrimination based on sexual orientation. He attended the conference held in Johannesburg, South Africa. The next conference will be in Rome in July 2000, and then in Oakland, Calif., in 2001.
Steve James called for programs for the Second National Multicultural Conference and Summit in January 2001.
April 1990
President Adrienne Smith wrote to share the feeling of loving intensity that marks their work at the midwinter executive committee meeting. This year, in addition to accomplishing “tremendous quantities of work with energy and warmth,” we met with several representatives of the Los Angeles Chapter of the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation to develop strategies to counter the homophobic atmosphere in the LA area.
Arnold S. Kahn was appointed as the divisional archivist to fill the post left vacant by the death of Alan Malyon, the division’s first archivist.
Christine Browning, membership chair, noted that the division maintains one of the best records of gender parity amongst APA’s divisions: 47.2% women and 49.2% men (the gender of 32 members (3.5%) is unknown. Membership has grown from 709 to 906.
Connie Chan, racial/ethnic minority concerns chair, reported that the committee recommends the division establish an award to honor psychologists for outstanding achievement to further the understanding of ethnic minority lesbians and gays. The “Forging Alliances Conversation Hour” with Div. 45 will focus on strengthening the community of lesbian and gay ethnic minority psychologists and supporters and possibly co-sponsoring a conference on gay-affirmative and culturally affirmative approaches to psychology.
Oliva Espin, Council Representative, reported that APA created the Board for the Application of Psychology in the Public Interest (BAPPI) and a new Education Directorate has been established, to which she is liaison.