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Task Force on Sexual Orientation and Military Service

Division 44 Representative

Jim Fitzgerald

Mission

In October 2003, The APA Board of Director’s established the Task Force on Sexual Orientation and Military Service. The Board charged the Task Force to consider issues of common concern between the Society of Military Psychology (19) and the Society for the Psychological Study of Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Issues (44). This Task Force has had an important impact on APA policy.

At its July 2004 meeting, the APA Council of Representatives adopted a new policy resolution on sexual orientation and military service. The new policy resolution reaffirmed existing APA policy on lesbian, gay, and bisexual issues; updated, elaborated, and strengthened APA policy on sexual orientation and military service; and eliminated APA’s prohibition on advertisements from the Department of Defense (DoD).

Since passage of the resolution, the Task Force developed an implementation plan for bringing it to fruition. Implementation includes supporting APA as it takes a leadership role in working with Congress to modify current DoD policy regarding LGB personnel, as well as development of training workshops and materials for military clinical psychologists, and military personnel broadly.

Recent Activities

This task force accomplished an amazing amount of incredible work. The history and accomplishments are summarized in the Task Force report.

The TF had its final meeting in August, 2007. Its final report is being completed and will be forwarded to the APA Board of Directors and to the Executive Committees of Divisions 19 and 44.

A workshop for military clinical psychologists highlighting appropriate and ethical strategies for addressing the needs of LGB service members has been planned and the workshop blueprint is being made widely available.

What You Can Do

• Read the Task Force report
• Support efforts to eliminate anti-LGBT discrimination in the military.
• Gather and disseminate data relevant to LGBT military psychology.
• Propose a Convention program on LGBT military psychology.
• Participate in professional development opportunities focused on LGBT concerns in the military.
• Share your interest in these issues with members of the task force.