Youth and Families Committee

Chairs

Sean Stebbins and Richard Sprott

Mission

The Committee on Youth and Families is interested in advancing scholarship, research, policy and education that support LGBT youth and LGBT families. The importance of promoting the healthy development of youth is vital to ensuring the next generation will be able to more fully participate in and function as productive members of society, as well as advocate for equal rights with the dominant heterosexual culture.

Another major concern of the committee is the need to support and promote the visibility of LGBT families as viable, healthy and deserving of the same status as heterosexual families. It is necessary that children in LGBT parented homes feel that their family is just as valued as heterosexual families.

Historically, the Committee has attracted between 8 and 25 active members and welcomes prospective members from any aspect of APA, especially from divisions focused on youth and/or family issues. The Committee has also built liaison relationships with organizations outside of APA including the Child Welfare League of America, Lambda Legal, and the American Academy of Pediatrics in order to learn from, contribute to, and leverage the progress made in those other organizations. The Committee welcomes the opportunity to enter conversations with other similar organizations dedicated to improving the lives and well-being of LGBT youth and families.

Recent activities

With the recent change in co-chairs, we are beginning a time of discernment about possible new directions for this committee. This is a great time for you to voice your ideas, your thoughts and your sense of priorities concerning research, education and support for LGBT youth and families. Our first priority is to facilitate your participation, so please contact us and let us know what’s on your mind and what you are doing in this area. The new chairs are interested in furthering our knowledge and support for Gay-Straight Alliances, exploring issues related to sexual harassment of GLBT youth in the workplace, and exploring issues related to polyamory and the creation of different family configurations.

The committee has formed an alliance with AFFIRM (Psychologists AFFIRMing their Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Family, founded by Marvin Goldfried). Division 44 members and AFFIRM members have been encouraged to join each other’s organizations to promote collaboration with both gay and straight allies.

The Committee has also built liaison relationships with organizations outside of APA including the Child Welfare League of America, Lambda Legal, and the American Academy of Pediatrics in order to learn from, contribute to, and leverage the progress made in those other organizations.

What You Can Do

• Attend our events. Since the mid-1990’s, this Committee has offered sharing and conversation meetings at the APA Convention, often in the Hospitality Suite. The Committee has also hosted symposia and roundtable discussions on topics of current interest.
• The co-chairs welcome suggestions for improving our convention activities and launching “doable” projects throughout the year. Contact either chair to share ideas and project proposals. We welcome feedback and involvement in order to enhance to lives of LGBT youth and families, both gay and straight.