Happy
New Year! 2015 has been an exceptionally busy year for Section IV and, as my
first year as President comes to a close, I’d like to use this space to provide
you with some updates on the many ways that Section IV has been fulfilling our
mission to develop and advance feminist approaches to sexual and gender
minority concerns.
First,
I am proud to say that Section IV provided some fantastic programming at our
annual APA Convention in Toronto (see page 10 for details)! Highlights include
establishing what will become an annual symposium on “Emerging Areas of
Science, Practice, and Education with LGBTQ Women” and holding a roundtable
discussion on career concerns for graduate students and early career
professionals in psychology. We are already in the process of planning for the
2016 Convention in Denver and hope to see you all there!
Your
officers have also been hard at work reviewing and discussing ways to improve
the infrastructure of Section IV. This has involved a thorough review and
assessment of our (quite-dated) Section bylaws. An important proposed change
involves the ability to hold Section-wide votes electronically rather than via
snail-mail. Any and all bylaws changes must, of course, be voted on and
approved by Section membership and, as such, you will be hearing a lot more
about this initiative throughout 2016 as we work to update and improve the
Section.
Intimately
related to the process of updating our bylaws is growing concern as to whether
the name of our Section (Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Concerns)
adequately conveys and represents a feminist vision of inclusivity and
diversity. As such, Section IV officers have also been listening closely to
member feedback around potentially changing the name of Section IV to something
more inclusive. As with bylaw changes, any Section name change would
necessitate a membership vote and this is something that we also hope to
address in 2016. I welcome and encourage your feedback on this issue,
including your ideas for a Section IV name that would feel inclusive and
welcoming to all.
Another
way in which Section IV officers have been working to ensure our mission is the
development of several research and travel awards. Once established, such
awards will facilitate the implementation and presentation of cutting edge
sexual and gender minority research among feminist psychologists.
Finally,
a critical piece of growing Section IV is ensuring quality leadership and
increasing leadership opportunities. Currently, Section IV is in particular need
of both a Program Committee and Awards Committee Chair. If you have interest in
such roles (or others), please get in touch and we can explore opportunities
that fit your interests.
As
always, Section IV is committed to increasing dialogue, research, education,
and activism around the critical issues facing the LGBTQ community (both inside
and outside the field of psychology). Please consider sharing with us your
perspectives and publications for inclusion in this newsletter! I look forward
to hearing from you.
Jennifer A. Vencill, PhD (jvencill@umn.edu).
EDITOR’S NOTE
If
you are a feminist psychologist or graduate student with a passion for serving
LGBTQ communities, there are several reasons why you should consider becoming
involved with Section IV of APA Division 35. I can think of at least five
without making an effort—meeting other like-minded professionals, participating
in meaningful projects with others with the goal of fulfilling the Section’s
mission, developing leadership skills, helping shape the future of the Section,
and giving back to the professional and LGBTQ communities that sustain and
inspire your work.
There
are several ways you can get involved and most do not require a high level of
engagement (see page 15 for details). One that takes little time is helping us
disseminate information about the Section and recruit new members. Would you be
willing to talk to your colleagues about the work we do and forward them a copy
of Perspectives?
This
issue includes a presidential report on 2015 APA convention activities, and a
column (also by our president) about all the good work officers have been doing
behind the scenes to plan for this year’s convention, support the professional
development of our members, and fulfill our mission (pages 1, 7 and 10). It also includes information about the newly
formed graduate students committee, short columns and book reviews by several
contributors, information about the upcoming AWP conference in Pittsburgh, and
other announcements. We hope you and your colleagues will find this issue
informative and engaging.
