#GAY PRIDE MONTH FACTS PROFESSIONAL#
Since 2010, there has been an increase in the number of state legislatures considering “conscience clause” legislation directed at academic programs that educate and train psychologists and/or the professional practice of psychology. Learn more about why APA supports the Equality Act. APA will be explaining the task force report that led to our resolution and the research that has been done since. The resolution is at issue in multiple challenges to state and municipal bans that prohibit mental health professionals from employing sexual orientation change efforts in their professional practices. In July, 2019, for the upcoming Supreme Court term, APA is providing psychological science on sexual orientation, gender identity, sex stereotyping and the impacts of stigma, all relevant to whether the ban on sex discrimination in the workplace in Title VII of the Civil Rights Act extends to claims made by the LGBTQ community.Īlso in June, 2019, APA is defending as amicus curiae (PDF, 3.5MB) the Council’s 2009 Resolution on Appropriate Affirmative Responses to Sexual Orientation Distress and Change Efforts. APA has submitted briefs on such critical issues as the rights of people with mental disabilities, juvenile justice, competency, false confessions, eyewitness testimony and much more.
APA has a long history of using psychological science to inform the courts through amicus briefs. Since then, APA is proud to have been a leader in advancing a scientific perspective to improve the health and well-being of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people, of increasing understanding of sexual orientation and gender identity as aspects of human diversity, and of reducing stigma, prejudice, discrimination and violence toward LGBT people.ĪPA advances this work though the Committee on Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity, the Society for the Psychology of Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity and the Office on Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity.ĪPA showcases psychology’s impact on society through an amicus brief, or “friend of the court,” program. (See links to more information about Hooker below.)
Hooker's work led to significant changes in how psychology views and treats people who are gay. Even before then, 62 years ago at APA's 1956 Annual Convention in Chicago, Evelyn Hooker, PhD, presented her ground-breaking research on "normal homosexuals," debunking the popular myth that homosexual people are inherently less mentally healthy than heterosexual people. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall uprising in New York City, which is regarded as the beginning of the modern LGBT rights movement.