Vous êtes sur la page 1sur 33

Guidelines for Psychological Practice With Lesbian,

Gay, and Bisexual Clients


American Psychological Association

The “Guidelines for Psychological Practice With Lesbian, promoting the mental health and well-being of lesbian, gay,
Gay, and Bisexual Clients” provide psychologists with (a) and bisexual people and in providing psychologists with
a frame of reference for the treatment of lesbian, gay, and affirmative tools for practice, education, and research with
bisexual clients1 and (b) basic information and further these populations. In 2009, the association affirmed that
references in the areas of assessment, intervention, identity, “same-sex sexual and romantic attractions, feelings, and
relationships, diversity, education, training, and research. behaviors are normal and positive variations of human
These practice guidelines are built upon the “Guidelines for sexuality regardless of sexual orientation identity” (APA,
Psychotherapy With Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Clients” 2009a, p. 121).
(Division 44/Committee on Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual
Concerns Joint Task Force on Guidelines for Psychother-
apy with Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Clients, 2000) and are This article was published Online First August 29, 2011.
These guidelines were adopted by the APA Council of Representa-
consistent with the American Psychological Association tives, February 18 –20, 2011, and replace the original “Guidelines for
(APA) “Criteria for Practice Guideline Development and Psychotherapy With Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Clients,” which were
Evaluation” (APA, 2002a). They assist psychologists in the adopted February 26, 2000, and expired at the end of 2010. These revised
conduct of lesbian, gay, and bisexual affirmative practice, and updated guidelines were developed by the Division 44/Committee on
education, and research. Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Concerns Guidelines Revision
Task Force. The task force included Kristin Hancock (chair) and members
The term guidelines refers to pronouncements, Laura Alie, Armand Cerbone, Sari Dworkin, Terry Gock, Douglas Hal-
statements, or declarations that suggest or recommend deman, Susan Kashubeck-West, and Glenda Russell. The task force
specific professional behavior, endeavors, or conduct for thanks Glenn Ally, Laura Brown, Linda Campbell, Jean Carter, James
psychologists. Guidelines differ from standards in that Croteau, Steven David, Randall Ehbar, Ruth Fassinger, Beth Firestein,
Ronald Fox, John Gonsiorek, Beverly Greene, Lisa Grossman, Christine
standards are mandatory and may be accompanied by an Hall, Tania Israel, Corey Johnson, Jennifer Kelly, Christopher Martell,
enforcement mechanism. Thus, these guidelines are as- Jonathan Mohr, David Pantalone, Mark Pope, and Melba Vasquez for
pirational in intent. They are intended to facilitate the their thoughtful contributions. The task force also acknowledges the
continued systematic development of the profession and long-standing support of Clinton Anderson, director of APA’s Lesbian,
to help ensure a high level of professional practice by Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Concerns Office, and APA staff liaisons
Sue Houston (Board for the Advancement of Psychology in the Public
psychologists. These guidelines are not intended to be Interest) and Mary Hardiman (Board of Professional Affairs) for their
mandatory or exhaustive and may not be applicable to assistance.
every clinical situation. They should not be construed as Each of the 21 new guidelines provides an update of the psycholog-
definitive and are not intended to take precedence over ical literature supporting it, includes sections on rationale and application,
and expands upon the original guidelines to provide assistance to psy-
the judgment of psychologists. Practice guidelines es- chologists in areas such as religion and spirituality, the differentiation of
sentially involve recommendations to professionals re- gender identity and sexual orientation, socioeconomic and workplace
garding their conduct and the issues to be considered in issues, and the use and dissemination of research on lesbian, gay, and
particular areas of psychological practice. Practice bisexual issues. The guidelines are intended to inform the practice of
guidelines are consistent with current APA policy. It is psychologists and to provide information for the education and training of
psychologists regarding lesbian, gay, and bisexual issues. The revision
also important to note that practice guidelines are super- was funded by Division 44 (Society for the Psychological Study of
seded by federal and state law and must be consistent Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Issues) of the American Psychological Asso-
with the current APA “Ethical Principles of Psycholo- ciation (APA) and the APA Board of Directors.
gists and Code of Conduct” (APA, 2002b).2 This document is scheduled to expire as APA policy in 10 years
(2020). After this date, users are encouraged to contact the APA Public
Background Interest Directorate to confirm that this document remains in effect or is
under revision.
In 1975, the APA adopted a resolution stating that “homo- Correspondence concerning this article should be addressed to the
sexuality per se implies no impairment in judgment, sta- Public Interest Directorate, American Psychological Association, 750
bility, reliability, or general social or vocational capabili- First Street, NE, Washington, DC 20002-4242.
ties” and urging “all mental health professionals to take the 1
lead in removing the stigma of mental illness that has long Throughout this document, the term clients refers to individuals
across the life span, including youth, adult, and older adult lesbian, gay,
been associated with homosexual orientations” (Conger, and bisexual clients. There may be issues that are specific to a given age
1975, p. 633). In the years following the adoption of this range, and, when appropriate, the document identifies these groups.
important policy, the APA indeed has taken the lead in 2
Hereinafter, this document is referred to as the APA Ethics Code.

10 January 2012 ● American Psychologist


© 2011 American Psychological Association 0003-066X/11/$12.00
Vol. 67, No. 1, 10 – 42 DOI: 10.1037/a0024659
Sixteen years following APA’s 1975 resolution, a Development Process
gap in APA policy and the practice of psychologists was
identified in a study by Garnets, Hancock, Cochran, These guidelines were developed collaboratively by Divi-
Goodchilds, and Peplau (1991) that documented a wide sion 44/Committee on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Trans-
variation in the quality of psychotherapeutic care to gender Concerns. The guidelines revision process was
lesbian and gay clients. These authors and others (e.g., funded by Division 44 and by the APA Board of Directors.
Fox, 1996; Greene, 1994b; Nystrom, 1997; Pilkington & Supporting literature for these guidelines is consistent with
Cantor, 1996) suggested that there was a need for better the APA Ethics Code (APA, 2002b) and other APA policy.
education and training in working with lesbian, gay, and In addition, the Application sections of the text were en-
bisexual clients. For this reason, the “Guidelines for hanced to provide psychologists with more information and
Psychotherapy With Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Cli- assistance.
ents” (Division 44/Committee on Lesbian, Gay, and
Bisexual Concerns Joint Task Force on Guidelines for Definition of Terms
Psychotherapy With Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Clients,
2000) were developed. Sex refers to a person’s biological status and is typically
categorized as male, female, or intersex (i.e., atypical com-
Need binations of features that usually distinguish male from
A revision of the guidelines is warranted at this point in female). There are a number of indicators of biological sex,
time because there have been many changes in the field of including sex chromosomes, gonads, internal reproductive
lesbian, gay, and bisexual psychology. Existing topics have organs, and external genitalia.
evolved, and the literature also has expanded into new Gender refers to the attitudes, feelings, and behaviors
areas of interest for those working with lesbian, gay, and that a given culture associates with a person’s biological
bisexual clients. In addition, the quality of the data sets of sex. Behavior that is compatible with cultural expectations
studies has improved significantly with the advent of pop- is referred to as gender normative; behaviors that are
ulation-based research. viewed as incompatible with these expectations constitute
Furthermore, the past decade has seen a revival of gender nonconformity.
interest and activities on the part of political advocacy Gender identity refers to “one’s sense of oneself as
groups in attempting to repathologize homosexuality (Hal- male, female, or transgender” (APA, 2006). When one’s
deman, 2002, 2004). Guidelines grounded in methodolog- gender identity and biological sex are not congruent, the
ically sound research, the APA Ethics Code, and existing individual may identify as transsexual or as another trans-
APA policy are vital to informing professional practice gender category (cf. Gainor, 2000).
with lesbian, gay, and bisexual clients. These guidelines Gender expression refers to the “way in which a
have been used nationally and internationally in practice person acts to communicate gender within a given culture;
and training and in informing public policy. They will for example, in terms of clothing, communication patterns,
expire or be revised in 10 years from the date they are and interests. A person’s gender expression may or may not
adopted by APA. be consistent with socially prescribed gender roles, and
may or may not reflect his or her gender identity” (APA,
Compatibility 2008, p. 28).
These guidelines build upon APA’s Ethics Code (APA, Sexual orientation refers to the sex of those to whom
2002b) and are consistent with preexisting APA policy one is sexually and romantically attracted. Categories of
pertaining to lesbian, gay, and bisexual issues. These sexual orientation typically have included attraction to
policies include but are not limited to the resolution members of one’s own sex (gay men or lesbians), attraction
titled “Discrimination Against Homosexuals” (Conger, to members of the other sex (heterosexuals), and attraction
1975); the “Resolution on Sexual Orientation, Parents, to members of both sexes (bisexuals). Although these cat-
and Children” (Paige, 2005); the “Resolution on Sexual egories continue to be widely used, research has suggested
Orientation and Marriage” (Paige, 2005); the “Resolu- that sexual orientation does not always appear in such
tion on Hate Crimes” (Paige, 2005); the “Resolution definable categories and instead occurs on a continuum
Opposing Discriminatory Legislation and Initiatives (e.g., Kinsey, Pomeroy, Martin, & Gebhard, 1953; Klein,
Aimed at Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Persons” (Paige, 1993; Klein, Sepekoff, & Wolff, 1985; Shively & De
2007); and the “Resolution on Appropriate Affirmative Cecco, 1977). In addition, some research indicates that
Responses to Sexual Orientation Distress and Change sexual orientation is fluid for some people; this may be
Efforts” (APA, 2009b). The guidelines are also compat- especially true for women (e.g., Diamond, 2007; Golden,
ible with policies of other major mental health organi- 1987; Peplau & Garnets, 2000).
zations (cf. American Association for Marriage and Coming out refers to the process in which one ac-
Family Therapy, 1991; American Counseling Associa- knowledges and accepts one’s own sexual orientation. It
tion, 1996; American Psychiatric Association, 1974; Ca- also encompasses the process in which one discloses one’s
nadian Psychological Association, 1995; National Asso- sexual orientation to others. The term closeted refers to a
ciation of Social Workers, 1996) which state that state of secrecy or cautious privacy regarding one’s sexual
homosexuality and bisexuality are not mental illnesses. orientation.

January 2012 ● American Psychologist 11


Attitudes Toward Homosexuality and sexual prejudice but also with the pressures associated with
Bisexuality expectations for conformity to norms of masculinity in the
broader society as well as in particular subcultures they
Guideline 1. Psychologists strive to may inhabit (Herek, 1986; Stein, 1996). Bisexual women
understand the effects of stigma (i.e., and men can experience negativity and stigmatization from
prejudice, discrimination, and violence) and lesbian and gay individuals as well as from heterosexual
its various contextual manifestations in the individuals (Herek, 1999, 2002; Mohr & Rochlen, 1999).
lives of lesbian, gay, and bisexual people. Greene (1994b) noted that the cumulative effects of het-
erosexism, sexism, and racism may put lesbian, gay, and
Rationale. Living in a heterosexist society inev-
bisexual racial/ethnic minorities at special risk for stress.
itably poses challenges to people with nonheterosexual Social stressors affecting lesbian, gay, and bisexual youths,
orientations. Many lesbian, gay, and bisexual people face such as verbal and physical abuse, have been associated
social stigma, heterosexism, violence, and discrimination with academic problems, running away, prostitution, sub-
(Herek, 1991b, 2009; Mays & Cochran, 2001; I. H. Meyer, stance abuse, and suicide (D’Augelli, Pilkington, & Her-
2003). Stigma is defined as a negative social attitude or shberger, 2002; Espelage, Aragon, Birkett, & Koenig,
social disapproval directed toward a characteristic of a 2008; Savin-Williams, 1994, 1998). Less visibility and
person that can lead to prejudice and discrimination against fewer lesbian, gay, and bisexual support organizations may
the individual (VandenBos, 2007). Herek (1995) defined intensify feelings of social isolation for lesbian, gay, and
heterosexism as “the ideological system that denies, deni- bisexual people who live in rural communities (D’Augelli
grates, and stigmatizes any nonheterosexual form of behav- & Garnets, 1995).
ior, identity, relationship, or community” (p. 321). These Research has identified a number of contextual factors
challenges may precipitate a significant degree of minority that influence the lives of lesbian, gay, and bisexual clients
stress for lesbian, gay, and bisexual people, many of whom and, therefore, their experience of stigma (Bieschke, Perez,
may be tolerated only when they are “closeted” (DiPlacido, & DeBord, 2007). Among these factors are race and eth-
1998). Minority stress can be experienced in the form of nicity (e.g., L. B. Brown, 1997; Chan, 1997; Espin, 1993;
ongoing daily hassles (e.g., hearing antigay jokes) and Fygetakis, 1997; Greene, 2007; Szymanski & Gupta, 2009;
more serious negative events (e.g., loss of employment, Walters, 1997); immigrant status (e.g., Espin, 1999); reli-
housing, custody of children, physical and sexual assault; gion (e.g., Davidson, 2000; Dworkin, 1997; Fischer &
DiPlacido, 1998). According to a probability sample study DeBord, 2007; Ritter & Terndrup, 2002); geographical
by Herek (2009), antigay victimization has been experi- location–regional dimensions, such as rural versus urban or
enced by approximately 1 in 8 lesbian and bisexual indi- country of origin (e.g., Browning, 1996; D’Augelli, Col-
viduals and by about 4 in 10 gay men in the United States. lins, & Hart, 1987; Kimmel, 2003; Oswald & Culton, 2003;
Enacted stigma, violence, and discrimination can lead to Walters, 1997); socioeconomic status, both historical and
“felt stigma,” an ongoing subjective sense of personal current (Albelda, Badgett, Schneebaum, & Gates, 2009;
threat to one’s safety and well-being (Herek, 2009). Badgett, 2003; Dı́az, Bein, & Ayala, 2006; Martell, 2007;
Antigay victimization and discrimination have been G. M. Russell, 1996); age and historical cohort (G. M.
associated with mental health problems and psychological Russell & Bohan, 2005); disability (Abbott & Burns, 2007;
distress (Cochran, Sullivan, & Mays, 2003; Gilman et al., Shuttleworth, 2007; Swartz, 1995; Thompson, 1994); HIV
2001; Herek, Gillis, & Cogan, 1999; Mays & Cochran, status (O’Connor, 1997; Paul, Hays, & Coates, 1995); and
2001; I. H. Meyer, 1995; Ross, 1990; Rostosky, Riggle, gender identity and presentation (APA, 2008; Lev, 2007).
Horne, & Miller, 2009). Equally important, as individuals Application. Psychologists are urged to under-
form lesbian, gay, and bisexual identities in the context of stand that societal stigmatization, prejudice, and discrimi-
extreme stigma, most lesbian, gay, and bisexual people nation can be sources of stress and create concerns about
have some level of internalized negative attitudes toward personal security for lesbian, gay, and bisexual clients
nonheterosexuality (Szymanski, Kashubeck-West, & Meyer, (Mays & Cochran, 2001; Rothblum & Bond, 1996). There-
2008a). Szymanski, Kashubeck-West, and Meyer (2008b) fore, creating a sense of safety in the therapeutic environ-
reviewed the empirical literature on internalized heterosexism ment is of primary importance (see Guideline 4). Central to
in lesbian, gay, and bisexual individuals and found that greater this is the psychologist’s understanding of the impact of
internalized heterosexism was related to difficulties with self- stigma and his or her ability to demonstrate that under-
esteem, depression, psychosocial and psychological distress, standing to the client through awareness and validation.
physical health, intimacy, social support, relationship quality, Psychologists working with lesbian, gay, and bisexual peo-
and career development. ple are encouraged to assess the client’s history of victim-
There are significant differences in the nature of the ization as a result of harassment, discrimination, and vio-
stigma faced by lesbians, gay men, and bisexual individu- lence. In addition, overt and covert manifestations of
als. Lesbians and bisexual women, in addition to facing internalized heterosexism should be assessed (Sánchez,
sexual prejudice, must contend with the prejudice and Westefeld, Liu, & Vilain, 2010; Szymanski & Carr, 2008).
discrimination posed by living in a world where sexism Different combinations of contextual factors related to gen-
continues to exert pervasive influences (APA, 2007). Sim- der, race, ethnicity, cultural background, social class, reli-
ilarly, gay and bisexual men are confronted not only with gious background, disability, geographic region, and other

12 January 2012 ● American Psychologist


sources of identity can result in dramatically different stig- sexual, homosexual, and bisexual people on a wide range
matizing pressures and coping styles. Such contextual dif- of variables associated with overall psychological function-
ferences also may result in different clinical presentations ing (Gonsiorek, 1991; Pillard, 1988; Rothblum, 1994).
and clinical needs (Moradi, van den Berg, & Epting, 2009). Furthermore, the literature that classified homosexuality
Psychologists are thus urged to understand these contextual and bisexuality as mental illnesses has been found to be
factors in their assessment of which interventions are likely methodologically unsound. Gonsiorek (1991) reviewed this
to be acceptable and effective and how clients evaluate the literature and found such serious methodological flaws as
outcome of their therapy (Fontes, 2008; Ivey & Ivey, unclear definitions of terms, inaccurate classification of
2007). participants, inappropriate comparisons of groups, discrep-
Among the interventions psychologists are urged to ant sampling procedures, an ignorance of confounding so-
consider are (a) increasing the client’s sense of safety and cial factors, and the use of questionable outcome measures.
reducing stress, (b) developing personal and social re- Although these studies concluded that homosexuality is a
sources, (c) resolving residual trauma, and (d) empowering mental illness, there is no valid empirical support for be-
the client to confront social stigma and discrimination, liefs that lead to such inaccurate representations of lesbian,
when appropriate. Psychologists strive to consider the rel- gay, and bisexual people.
ative levels of safety and social support that the client When studies have noted differences between homo-
experiences in his or her environment and to plan interven- sexual and heterosexual individuals with regard to psycho-
tions accordingly. For example, for clients who are more logical functioning (e.g., DiPlacido, 1998; Gilman et al.,
comfortable with their lesbian, gay, or bisexual identity, it 2001; Mays, Cochran, & Roeder, 2003; Ross, 1990; Ro-
may be helpful for the psychologist to consider referrals to theram-Borus, Hunter, & Rosario, 1994; Savin-Williams,
local support groups or other community organizations. For 1994), these differences have been attributed to the effects
clients who are less comfortable with their nonheterosexual of stress related to stigmatization on the basis of sexual
orientation, online resources may prove helpful. Psycholo- orientation. These findings are consistent with an extant
gists are urged to weigh the risks and benefits for each body of research that associates exposure to discriminatory
client in context. Because stigma is so culturally pervasive, behavior with psychological distress (e.g., Kessler, Michel-
its effects may not even be evident to a lesbian, gay, or son, & Williams, 1999; Markowitz, 1998). In her analysis
bisexual person. Therefore, it may be helpful for psychol- of recent population-based studies, Cochran (2001) con-
ogists to consider the ways in which stigma may be man- cluded that increased risk for psychiatric distress and sub-
ifest in the lives of their clients even if it is not raised as a stance abuse among lesbians and gay men is attributable to
presenting complaint. the negative effects of stigma.
Application. Psychologists are encouraged to
Guideline 2. Psychologists understand that
avoid attributing a client’s nonheterosexual orientation to
lesbian, gay, and bisexual orientations are
arrested psychosocial development or psychopathology.
not mental illnesses.
Practice that is informed by inaccurate, outmoded, and
Rationale. No scientific basis for inferring a pre- pathologizing views of homosexuality and bisexuality can
disposition to psychopathology or other maladjustment as subtly manifest as the inappropriate attribution of a client’s
intrinsic to homosexuality or bisexuality has been estab- problems to his or her nonheterosexual orientation (Garnets
lished. Hooker’s (1957) study was the first to challenge this et al., 1991; Pachankis & Goldfried, 2004). Shidlo and
historical assumption by finding no difference on projective Schroeder (2002) found that nearly two thirds of a sample
test responses between nonclinical samples of heterosexual of psychotherapy clients reported that their therapists told
men and gay men. Subsequent studies have continued to them that, as gay men and lesbians, they could not expect
show no differences between heterosexual groups and ho- to lead fulfilling, productive lives or participate in stable
mosexual groups on measures of cognitive abilities (Tuttle primary relationships. Such statements stem from a funda-
& Pillard, 1991) and psychological well-being and self- mental view that homosexuality and bisexuality indicate or
esteem (Coyle, 1993; Herek, 1990b; Savin-Williams, are automatically associated with mental disturbance or
1990). Fox (1996) found no evidence of psychopathology dysfunction.
in nonclinical studies of bisexual men and bisexual women. Clients who have been exposed to notions of homo-
At the present time, efforts to repathologize nonhet- sexuality and bisexuality as mental illnesses may present
erosexual orientations persist on the part of advocates for with internalized prejudicial attitudes (Beckstead & Mor-
conversion or reparative therapy (APA, 2009b; Haldeman, row, 2004; Pachankis & Goldfried, 2004). In these cases, it
2002). Nevertheless, major mental health organizations (cf. is important to consider the effects of internalized stigma.
American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, These effects can be addressed directly or indirectly (Bi-
1991; American Counseling Association, 1996; American eschke, 2008) as appropriate, given the client’s psycholog-
Psychiatric Association, 1974; APA [Conger, 1975]; Ca- ical readiness. Beckstead and Israel (2007) suggested a
nadian Psychological Association, 1995; National Associ- collaborative approach in establishing therapeutic goals
ation of Social Workers, 1996) have affirmed that homo- and examining the negative effects of prejudicial beliefs.
sexuality and bisexuality are not mental illnesses. APA (2009b) “supports the dissemination of accurate sci-
Moreover, an extensive body of literature has emerged entific and professional information about sexual orienta-
that identifies few significant differences between hetero- tion in order to counteract bias” (p. 122) and “opposes the

January 2012 ● American Psychologist 13


distortion and selective use of scientific data about homo- Bias and misinformation about homosexuality and
sexuality by individuals and organizations seeking to in- bisexuality continue to be widespread in society (APA,
fluence public policy and public opinion” (p. 122). 1998, 2009b; Haldeman, 1994) and are implicated in many
client requests to change sexual orientation. Tozer and
Guideline 3. Psychologists understand that Hayes (2004) found that the internalization of negative
same-sex attractions, feelings, and behavior attitudes and beliefs about homosexuality and bisexuality
are normal variants of human sexuality and was a primary factor in motivating individuals who sought
that efforts to change sexual orientation to change their sexual orientation. Fear of potential losses
have not been shown to be effective or safe. (e.g., family, friends, career, spiritual community) as well
as vulnerability to harassment, discrimination, and violence
Rationale. Therapeutic efforts to change sexual may contribute to an individual’s fear of self-identification
orientation have increased and become more visible in as lesbian, gay, or bisexual. Additionally, some clients
recent years (Beckstead & Morrow, 2004). Therapeutic report that nonheterosexual orientation is inconsistent with
interventions intended to change, modify, or manage un- their religious beliefs or values (APA, 2009b; Beckstead,
wanted nonheterosexual orientations are referred to as 2001).
“sexual orientation change efforts” (SOCE; APA, 2009b). Application. Psychologists are encouraged to
The majority of clients who seek to change their sexual carefully assess the motives of clients seeking to change
orientation do so through so-called ex-gay programs or their sexual orientation. Given the influence of internalized
ministries (Haldeman, 2004; Tozer & Hayes, 2004). Most homonegativity and antigay religious beliefs on client re-
contexts in which SOCE occur derive from the religion- quests to change sexual orientation (Tozer & Hayes, 2004),
based ex-gay movement (Haldeman, 2004), although sev- it is important for the psychologist faced with such a
eral psychotherapeutic approaches also exist. For example, request to proceed with deliberation and thoughtfulness. In
Nicolosi (1991) described a model in which male homo- addition, the psychologist is ethically obliged to provide
sexuality is treated through the therapeutic resolution of a accurate information about sexual orientation to clients
developmental same-sex attachment deficit. who are misinformed or confused (APA, 1998). Psychol-
Reviews of the literature, spanning several decades, ogists are encouraged to identify and address bias and
have consistently found that efforts to change sexual ori- internalized prejudice about sexual orientation that may
entation were ineffective (APA, 2009b; Drescher, 2001; have a negative influence on the client’s self-perception. In
Haldeman, 1994; T. F. Murphy, 1992). These reviews providing the client with accurate information about the
highlight a host of methodological problems with research social stressors that may lead to discomfort with sexual
in this area, including biased sampling techniques, inaccu- orientation, psychologists may help neutralize the effects of
rate classification of subjects, assessments based solely stigma and inoculate the client against further harm.
upon self-reports, and poor or nonexistent outcome mea- APA’s (1998) “Resolution on Appropriate Therapeu-
sures. Even the most optimistic advocates of SOCE have tic Responses to Sexual Orientation” offers a framework
concluded that sexual orientation is nearly impossible to for psychologists working with clients who are concerned
change (Spitzer, 2003) and that less than a third of subjects about the implications of their sexual orientation. The
in such studies claim successful treatment (Haldeman, resolution highlights those sections of the APA Ethics
1994). Therefore, in the current climate of evidence-based Code that apply to all psychologists working with lesbian,
practice, SOCE cannot be recommended as effective treat- gay, and bisexual older adults, adults, and youths. These
ment. Moreover, according to the APA “Resolution on sections include prohibitions against discriminatory prac-
Appropriate Affirmative Responses to Sexual Orientation tices (e.g., basing treatment upon pathology-based views of
Distress and Change Efforts” (APA, 2009b), “the benefits homosexuality or bisexuality); the misrepresentation of
reported by participants in sexual orientation change efforts scientific or clinical data (e.g., the unsubstantiated claim
can be gained through approaches that do not attempt to that sexual orientation can be changed); and a clear man-
change sexual orientation” (p. 121). date for informed consent (APA, 1992). Informed consent
The potential for SOCE to cause harm to many clients would include a discussion of the lack of empirical evi-
also has been demonstrated. Shidlo and Schroeder (2002) dence that SOCE are effective and their potential risks to
found that a majority of subjects reported that they were the client (APA, 2009b) and the provision of accurate
misled by their therapists about the nature of sexual orien- information about sexual orientation to clients who are
tation as well as the normative life experiences of lesbian, misinformed or confused. The policy cited above calls
gay, and bisexual individuals. Furthermore, they noted that upon psychologists to discuss the treatment approach, its
most subjects were not provided with adequate informed theoretical basis, reasonable outcomes, and alternative
consent regarding their conversion therapy procedures as treatment approaches. Further, it discourages coercive
delineated in APA’s “Resolution on Appropriate Therapeu- treatments, particularly with youths.
tic Responses to Sexual Orientation” (APA, 1998). Halde- Clients who are conflicted with respect to sexual ori-
man (2002) described a spectrum of negative client out- entation and religious identification and expression have
comes from failed attempts at conversion therapy. These long posed challenges for psychologists (Beckstead &
include intimacy avoidance, sexual dysfunction, depres- Morrow, 2004; Haldeman, 2004; Yarhouse & Burkett,
sion, and suicidality. 2002). The ultimate goal that may make sense for many

14 January 2012 ● American Psychologist


such conflicted clients is an integration of sexual orienta- beliefs, values, needs, and limitations, psychologists may
tion with religious identification, as with the client who impede the progress of a client in psychotherapy (Corey,
accepts that he or she is gay and moves from a conservative Schneider-Corey, & Callanan, 1993). This is particularly
to an open and affirming religious denomination. However, relevant when providing assessment and treatment services
for some clients, particularly those who experience reli- to lesbian, gay, and bisexual clients.
gious orientation as a more salient aspect of identity than The psychological assessment and treatment of les-
that of sexual orientation, such a transition may not be bian, gay, and bisexual clients can be adversely affected by
possible. In these instances, the client may choose to pri- their therapists’ explicit or implicit negative attitudes. For
oritize his or her religious affiliation over sexual orientation example, when homosexuality and bisexuality are regarded
and may seek accommodation compatible with such a as evidence of mental illness or psychopathology, a client’s
choice (APA, 2009b; Beckstead, 2001; Haldeman, 2004; same-sex sexual orientation is apt to be viewed as a major
Throckmorton, 2007). It should be noted, however, that this source of the client’s psychological difficulties, even when
is not the same as changing or even managing sexual it has not been presented as a problem (Garnets et al., 1991;
orientation but is a treatment goal established in the service Liddle, 1996; Nystrom, 1997). Moreover, when psycholo-
of personal integration. For a more detailed discussion of gists are unaware of their own negative attitudes, the ef-
planning treatment with clients who are conflicted about fectiveness of psychotherapy can be compromised by their
sexual orientation and religious identification, see APA heterosexist bias. Since heterosexism pervades the lan-
(2009b), Beckstead (2001), Beckstead and Morrow (2004), guage, theories, and psychotherapeutic interventions of
and Haldeman (2004). psychology (S. Anderson, 1996; L. S. Brown, 1989; Gin-
Psychologists are encouraged to assess the emotional gold, Hancock, & Cerbone, 2006), conscious efforts to
and social distress associated with clients’ unsuccessful recognize and counteract such heterosexism are imperative
attempts at SOCE. The potential for SOCE to cause harm in order for optimal assessment and treatment to take place.
to many clients has been noted (APA, 2009b;Haldeman, This is the case because when heterosexual norms for
2001, 2004; Shidlo & Schroeder, 2002). These emotional identity, behavior, and relationships are applied to lesbian,
concerns may include avoidance of intimate relationships, gay, or bisexual clients, their thoughts, feelings, and be-
depression and anxiety, problems with sexual functioning, haviors may be misinterpreted as abnormal, deviant, and
suicidal feelings, and a sense of being doubly stigmatized undesirable.
for being gay and unable to change. Psychologists working An alternative but similarly ineffective approach is to
with men who have undergone some form of SOCE are adopt a “sexual orientation blind” perspective when offer-
encouraged to recognize that a sense of “demasculiniza- ing assessment and treatment. Like similar “color-blind”
tion” is common (Haldeman, 2001), because men in such models, such a perspective ignores or denies the culturally
programs are often instructed that “real” men cannot be unique life experiences of the lesbian, gay, and bisexual
gay. Additionally, it is important to note that SOCE par- populations. Instead of eliminating heterosexist bias, a so-
ticipants confronting coming out as gay frequently experi- called blind perspective would likely perpetuate heterosex-
ence problems of social adjustment due to unfamiliarity ism in a manner that is unhelpful to clients (Garnets et al.,
with the lesbian, gay, and bisexual community. They also 1991; Winegarten, Cassie, Markowski, Kozlowski, & Yo-
may need support for potential losses (e.g., family relation- der, 1994).
ships, connections with communities of faith). Given that Application. As noted in the APA Ethics Code
acceptance of one’s sexual orientation is positively corre- (APA, 2002b), psychologists are called to be “aware of and
lated with self-report measures of life satisfaction (Herek, respect cultural, individual, and role differences, including
2003; Morris, Waldo, & Rothblum, 2001), a supportive, those due to . . . sexual orientation . . . and try to eliminate
bias-free therapeutic environment may help the client cope the effect on their work of biases based on [such] factors”
with internalized stigma and create an integrated life of his (APA, 2002b, p. 1063). To do so, psychologists are en-
or her own construction based upon positive self-regard. couraged to be aware of both the explicit and implicit
biases they may have. Explicit biases are more obvious
Guideline 4. Psychologists are encouraged to
both to the psychologists who hold them and to their clients
recognize how their attitudes and
and have been described as direct and conscious forms of
knowledge about lesbian, gay, and bisexual
prejudice (Conrey, Sherman, Gawronski, Hugenberg, &
issues may be relevant to assessment and
Groom, 2005). In contrast, implicit biases are outside the
treatment and seek consultation or make
awareness of those holding them (Greenwald & Banaji,
appropriate referrals when indicated.
1995), but they may nonetheless have a significant negative
Rationale. The APA Ethics Code urges psychol- impact on the psychotherapeutic process.
ogists to eliminate the effect of biases on their work (APA, Since safety in the psychotherapeutic relationship has
2002b, Principle E). To do so, psychologists strive to been viewed as central to the development of positive
evaluate their competencies and the limitations of their change (Levitt & Williams, 2010), psychologists are en-
expertise, especially when offering assessment and treat- couraged to use appropriate methods of self-exploration
ment services to people who share characteristics that are and self-education (e.g., consultation, study, and formal
different from their own (e.g., lesbian, gay, and bisexual continuing education) to identify and ameliorate implicit
clients). Without a high level of awareness about their own and explicit biases about homosexuality and bisexuality. In

January 2012 ● American Psychologist 15


doing so, psychologists strive to be aware of how their own there are many bisexual people who desire and sustain
background and personal factors, such as gender, sexual monogamous relationships (Rust, 1996b; Weitzman,
orientation, heterosexism, and religious ideology, may in- 2007). Identity development trajectories vary for people
fluence their assessment and treatment of gay, lesbian, and who are attracted both to women and to men. Some such
bisexual clients (T. Israel, Gorcheva, Walther, Sulzner, & individuals initially adopt a lesbian or gay identity, some
Cohen, 2008; Morrow, 2000). In addition, psychologists later adopt a lesbian or gay identity, and some consistently
strive to avoid making assumptions that a client is hetero- embrace a bisexual identity (Fox, 1996).
sexual, even in the presence of apparent markers of het- Although few researchers have investigated the men-
erosexuality (e.g., marital status, parenthood). tal health of bisexual individuals specifically, some studies
Because many psychologists have not received suffi- have suggested that bisexuals may have higher rates of
cient current information regarding lesbian, gay, and bisex- depression, anxiety, suicidality, and substance abuse than
ual clients (Pilkington & Cantor, 1996), psychologists are do lesbian, gay, and heterosexual populations (e.g., Dodge
strongly encouraged to seek training, experience, consulta- & Sandfort, 2007). As with minority stress models for
tion, or supervision when necessary to ensure competent lesbian and gay individuals (I. H. Meyer, 2003), these
practice with these populations. Key areas for psycholo- mental health risks have been attributed to discrimination
gists to be familiar with include but are not limited to an and social isolation (Dodge & Sandfort, 2007).
understanding of (a) human sexuality across the life span; Application. Psychotherapy with bisexual cli-
(b) the impact of social stigma on sexual orientation and ents involves respect for the diversity and complexity of
identity development; (c) the coming-out process and how their experiences (Bradford, 2006; Dworkin, 2001; Goet-
such variables as age, gender, ethnicity, race, disability, stouwers, 2006; Page, 2004, 2007). Psychologists therefore
religion, and socioeconomic status may influence this pro- are encouraged to develop a comprehensive understanding
cess; (d) same-sex relationship dynamics; (e) family-of- of sexual orientation in their approach to treatment
origin relationships; (f) the struggles with spirituality and (Horowitz, Weis, & Laflin, 2003). Psychologists also are
religious group membership; (g) career issues and work- encouraged to examine their attitudes toward relationships
place discrimination; and (h) the coping strategies for suc- and strive to examine biases toward the nontraditional
cessful functioning. relationships that some bisexual people may have (Buxton,
2007; Weitzman, 2007). In addition, psychologists strive to
Guideline 5. Psychologists strive to recognize
familiarize themselves with the development of a bisexual
the unique experiences of bisexual
identity, including cultural differences relative to bisexual-
individuals.
ity (Collins, 2007; Evans, 2003; Ferrer & Gómez, 2007;
Rationale. Bisexual persons are affected by neg- Scott, 2006, 2007) and gender differences (Eliason, 2001;
ative individual and societal attitudes toward bisexuality Fox, 2006; Goetstouwers, 2006).
that are expressed by both heterosexual and gay/lesbian Psychologists are encouraged to keep in mind that
people (Bradford, 2004a; Eliason, 2001; Evans, 2003; affirmative psychotherapy with bisexual clients may differ
Herek, 2002; Mulick & Wright, 2002). In addition, bisex- from that with gay and lesbian clients (Bradford, 2004b).
uality may not be regarded as a valid sexual orientation For example, bisexual men and women sometimes come
(Dworkin, 2001) but instead be viewed as a transitional out after being in a mixed-sex or same-sex relationship
state between heterosexual and homosexual orientations (including marriage) and want to acknowledge or act on
(Eliason, 2001; Herek, 2002; G. M. Russell & Richards, their attractions to the other sex (Keppel & Firestein, 2007).
2003; Rust, 2000a). Bisexual individuals also may be Treatment may thus need to help them negotiate a new
viewed as promiscuous, developmentally arrested, or psy- relationship with their married spouse that may include a
chologically impaired (Fox, 1996; T. Israel & Mohr, 2004; divorce (Buxton, 2007; Carlsson, 2007; Firestein, 2007).
Mohr, Israel, & Sedlacek, 2001; Oxley & Lucius, 2000).
Guideline 6. Psychologists strive to
Visibility of sexual identity may be particularly challenging
distinguish issues of sexual orientation from
for bisexual persons, as others may assume they are lesbian
those of gender identity when working with
or gay if in a same-sex relationship or heterosexual if they
lesbian, gay, and bisexual clients.
are in a mixed-sex relationship (Bradford, 2004a; Keppel &
Firestein, 2007; Rust, 2007). Rationale. Sexual orientation and gender identity
Bisexuals are not a homogeneous group. The diversity are distinct characteristics of an individual (APA, 2006). A
among bisexual individuals is reflected in variations in common error is to see gay men and lesbians as particularly
gender, culture, identity development, relationships, and likely to manifest gender-nonconforming behavior and/or
meaning of bisexuality (Fox, 1996; Rust, 2000b). People to be transgender (Fassinger & Arseneau, 2007; Helgeson,
may embrace a bisexual identity because they are attracted 1994; Kite, 1994; Kite & Deaux, 1987; Martin, 1990).
both to women and to men, because gender is not a key Similarly, gender nonconformity may result in an individ-
criterion for choosing an intimate partner, or because they ual being perceived as lesbian or gay, independent of that
find traditional notions of sexual orientation limiting (Ross person’s actual sexual orientation. Because gender noncon-
& Paul, 1992). Bisexual individuals may be more likely formity is likely to be stigmatized, gender nonconformity
than lesbian or gay persons to be in a nonmonogamous itself can result in prejudice and discrimination, regardless
relationship and to view polyamory as an ideal, although of sexual orientation (J. Green & Brinkin, 1994; Lombardi,

16 January 2012 ● American Psychologist


2001). For example, some research in schools indicates that Whirter & Mattison, 1984). The differences are derived
gender nonconformity (regardless of sexual orientation) from several factors, including different patterns of sexual
evokes at least as much antipathy among high school behavior, gender role socialization (Hancock, 2000; Herek,
students as does a lesbian, gay, or bisexual orientation 1991b; Ossana, 2000), and the stigmatization of their rela-
alone (e.g., Horn, 2007). tionships (Garnets & Kimmel, 1993).
Lesbian, gay, or bisexual clients may present in gen- Same-sex couples must sometimes adapt to conditions
der-conforming or gender-nonconforming ways. Psychol- that are hostile to or devalue their relationships. These include
ogists may see clients who are struggling with coming-out the psychological effects of political campaigns against same-
issues and who also express confusion concerning whether sex marriage (Rostosky et al., 2009; G. M. Russell, 2000) and
their gender conformity or nonconformity is related to their the prohibition of legal and medical protections for same-sex
sexual orientation. families as in Virginia and Florida (Herek, 2006). Further-
Application. Psychologists are encouraged to more, relationship patterns and choices among lesbian, gay,
help clients understand the differences between gender and bisexual individuals may be affected by early-life stigma
identity, gender-related behavior, and sexual orientation and marginalization (Mohr & Fassinger, 2003).
when these issues are in conflict. Psychologists also are Changes in physical health may present unique stres-
encouraged to be aware of the potential that gender non- sors, especially to older lesbian, gay, and bisexual couples
conformity in lesbian, gay, and bisexual clients may exac- (e.g., possible separation from partners, possible loss of
erbate stigmatization. To work effectively with issues re- contact for partners in nursing homes or other inpatient
lated to gender nonconformity, psychologists strive to be settings, facing homophobia in caretakers or fellow resi-
aware of their own values and biases regarding sex, gender, dents in nursing homes and assisted living situations).
and sexual orientation (APA, 2008; Gainor, 2000). Lesbian, gay, and bisexual clients may have become so
A variety of resources now exists for psychologists inured to the effects of stigma and discrimination in their
working clinically with clients who identify somewhere relationships that they may not recognize the contribution
along the spectrum of gender nonconformity (e.g., APA, of stigma to the conflicts they face.
2008; Benjamin, 1967; Brill & Pepper, 2008; Carroll, The relationship structures of lesbian, gay, and bisexual
2010; Carroll & Gilroy, 2002; G. E. Israel & Tarver, 1997; couples vary and may present unique concerns. Nonmonoga-
Korell & Lorah, 2007; Lev, 2004; Raj, 2002; Ubaldo & mous or polyamorous relationships may be more common
Drescher, 2004). Psychologists who work with transgender and more acceptable among gay men and bisexual individuals
people who also identify as lesbian, gay, or bisexual can than is typical for lesbians or heterosexuals (Herek, 1991a;
utilize the emerging professional literature as well as online McWhirter & Mattison, 1984; Peplau, 1991). In addition,
resources to keep abreast of the changing context for this many lesbians and gay men come out years after they have
population. been heterosexually married (Buxton, 1994, 2007).
Gainor (2000) provided a comprehensive introduction Application. Psychologists are encouraged to
to transgender issues in lesbian, gay, and bisexual psychol- consider the negative effects of societal prejudice and dis-
ogy. M. Brown and Rounsley’s (1996) work offers infor- crimination on lesbian, gay, and bisexual relationships. A
mation for helping professionals on transsexualism. Useful couple may not recognize the contribution of stigma and
websites include those of the American Psychological As- marginalization to the common relationship problems that
sociation (http://www.apa.org/pi/lgbc/transgender), the all couples may encounter (R. J. Green & Mitchell, 2002).
World Professional Association of Transgender Health Nonetheless, lesbian, gay, and bisexual couples may seek
(http://www.wpath.org), the Gender Public Advocacy Co- therapy for reasons similar to those of heterosexual couples
alition (http://www.gpac.org), the National Center for (e.g., communication difficulties, sexual problems, dual
Transgender Equality (http://www.transequality.org), the career issues, commitment decisions) or for dissimilar rea-
Sylvia Rivera Law Project (http://www.srlp.org), and the sons (e.g., disclosure of sexual orientation, differences be-
Transgender Law Center (http://www.transgenderlawcenter tween partners in the disclosure process, issues derived
.org). from the effects of gender socialization). For example,
when one partner has disclosed his sexual orientation to his
Relationships and Families family of origin and the other has not, the pair may en-
counter conflicts around where to spend the holidays or
Guideline 7. Psychologists strive to be
whether to “de-gay” the house when visitors are expected.
knowledgeable about and respect the
Psychologists are therefore encouraged to consider familial
importance of lesbian, gay, and bisexual
and other social and cultural factors in conducting therapy
relationships.
with lesbian, gay, and bisexual couples.
Rationale. Lesbian, gay, and bisexual couples Familiarity with nontraditional relationship structures
are both similar to and different from heterosexual couples may be helpful to the psychologist working with same-sex
(Peplau, Veniegas, & Campbell, 1996). They form rela- couples (Martell & Prince, 2005). Some gay, lesbian, and
tionships for similar reasons (Herek, 2006), express similar bisexual couples may need to resolve ambiguity in areas of
satisfactions with their relationships (Kurdek, 1995; Peplau commitment and boundaries, cope with homophobia, and
& Cochran, 1990), and follow developmental patterns sim- develop adequate social supports (R. J. Green & Mitchell,
ilar to heterosexual couples (Clunis & Green, 1988; Mc- 2002; Greenan & Tunnell, 2003; Hancock, 2000; Kurdek,

January 2012 ● American Psychologist 17


1988). Monogamy is a normative expectation in many true grandchildren, nieces, or nephews (Ben-Ari & Livni,
heterosexual relationships, whereas it is not always as- 2006).
sumed among gay male couples. Increasingly, research has focused on the children of
The relationships of lesbian, gay, and bisexual indi- lesbian, gay, and bisexual parents. Three main concerns
viduals are diverse. In the absence of socially sanctioned have been raised (primarily by those in the legal and social
supports for their relationships, lesbian, gay, and bisexual welfare systems) with regard to the well-being of children
people create their own relationship models and support raised by lesbian, gay, and bisexual parents (Patterson,
systems. It is useful for psychologists to be aware of the 2005). These include (a) the gender identification, gender
diversity of these relationships and refrain from applying a role behavior, and sexual orientation of the children; (b) the
heterosexist model when working with lesbian, gay, and personal development of the children; and (c) the social
bisexual couples. This may be particularly salient with experiences of such children. Patterson (2005) conducted a
respect to the sexual lives of lesbian, gay, and bisexual comprehensive review of the literature in each of these
couples. Healthy sexual expression is generally taken to be areas. Her review of the empirical data (primarily based on
an element of overall relationship satisfaction. It is helpful children of lesbian mothers) indicated that none of these
for psychologists working with lesbian, gay, and bisexual areas of concern have merit. Patterson also reported that the
couples to be sensitized to and knowledgeable about com- data showed no major differences between children reared
mon sexual practices and concerns shared by lesbian, gay, by lesbian parents and those raised by heterosexual mothers
and bisexual couples (e.g., sexual frequency, various forms with regard to personal development in areas such as self-
of sexual dysfunction, concerns related to intimacy and esteem, locus of control, intelligence, behavior problems,
desire). Psychologists are encouraged to recognize that personality, school adjustment, and psychiatric health. In
internalized heterosexism can complicate the development light of research findings supporting the positive outcomes
of healthy sexual relationships. Psychologists are also en- for children of lesbian and gay parents, the American
couraged to recognize the particular challenges that men Academy of Pediatrics released a statement in 2002 sup-
and women in heterosexual marriages face in coming out porting second-parent adoption in lesbian, gay, and bisex-
and integrating their lesbian, gay, or bisexual orientation ual households (Perrin & the Committee on Psychosocial
into their lives. In addition, the spouses and families of Aspects of Child and Family Health, 2002).
these individuals may require therapeutic support. Application. APA “encourages psychologists to
act to eliminate all discrimination based on sexual orienta-
Guideline 8. Psychologists strive to tion in matters of adoption, child custody and visitation,
understand the experiences and challenges foster care, and reproductive health services” (Paige, 2005,
faced by lesbian, gay, and bisexual parents. p. 496). Although bias and misinformation continue to exist
in the educational, legal, and social welfare systems, psy-
Rationale. Research has indicated that lesbian, chologists also are urged to correct this misinformation in
gay, and bisexual parents are as capable as heterosexual par- their work with parents, children, community organiza-
ents (cf. Armesto, 2002; Erich, Leung, & Kindle, 2005; tions, and institutions and to provide accurate information
Herek, 2006; Patterson, 2000, 2004; Perrin, 2002; Tasker, based upon scientifically and professionally derived knowl-
1999). In fact, Flaks, Ficher, Masterpasqua, and Joseph (1995) edge. Psychologists strive to recognize the challenges faced
found that lesbian couples had stronger parenting awareness by lesbian, gay, and bisexual parents and are encouraged to
skills than did heterosexual couples. Bos, van Balen, and van explore these issues with their clients. For example, denial
den Boom (2005, 2007) reported that lesbian social mothers of access to marriage creates barriers for same-sex parents
(nonbiological mothers) had higher quality parent– child in- in accessing the same legal and economic benefits and
teractions, were more committed as parents, and were more social status as do married heterosexual couples (APA,
effective in child rearing than were fathers in heterosexual 2008). At the same time, psychologists are urged to recog-
marriages. Such findings are important to note, given the nize the unique strengths and resilience of lesbian, gay, and
context of discrimination that lesbian, gay, and bisexual par- bisexual families. Psychologists are encouraged to examine
ents face (e.g., legal barriers to foster parenting and same-sex the various facets of identity (e.g., race and ethnicity,
and second-parent adoption, the threat of loss of custody of culture, socioeconomic class, disability, religious or spiri-
children, prohibitions against living with one’s same-sex part- tual traditions) that intersect in creating the experiences of
ner, the lack of legal rights of one of the parents; ACLU lesbian, gay, and bisexual parents.
Lesbian and Gay Rights Project, 2002; Appell, 2004; Patter-
son, Fulcher, & Wainwright, 2002). In becoming parents, Guideline 9. Psychologists recognize that the
lesbian, gay, and bisexual people face challenges not required families of lesbian, gay, and bisexual people
of heterosexual people, such as stressors related to alternative may include people who are not legally or
insemination and surrogacy (Gifford, Hertz, & Doskow, biologically related.
2010). Other unique concerns for lesbian, gay, and bisexual Rationale. For a significant number of lesbian,
parents include lack of support from families and friends and gay, and bisexual individuals, nondisclosure of sexual ori-
homophobic reactions from pediatricians, day-care providers, entation and/or lack of acknowledgement of their intimate
and school personnel. Families of the nonbiological lesbian relationships may result in emotional distancing from their
mother may be resistant to seeing nonbiological children as family of origin (Patterson, 2007). Even when families are

18 January 2012 ● American Psychologist


accepting, this acceptance often may be tolerance rather member is lesbian, gay, or bisexual (Jennings & Shapiro,
than true acceptance (R. J. Green, 2004). For many lesbian, 2003; Pallotta-Chiarolli, 2005).
gay, and bisexual people, a network of close friends may Bisexual individuals may experience some unique
constitute an alternative family structure— one that may complications with their families of origin. Persons who
not be based on legal and/or biological relationships. These identify as bisexual and become romantically involved with
families of choice provide social connections and familial same-sex partners may receive pressure from their families
context for lesbian, gay, and bisexual individuals (R. J. of origin to choose a partner of the other gender, and
Green, 2004) and may be more significant than the indi- bisexuals who are in mixed-sex relationships may have
vidual’s family of origin (Kurdek, 1988). Such family difficulty maintaining their bisexual identity within their
structures can mitigate the effects of discrimination and the family of origin and extended family (Dworkin, 2001,
absence of legal or institutional recognition (Weston, 2002; Firestein, 2007).
1992). Some young adult life transitions (e.g., choosing ca-
Application. Given the importance of social sup- reers, deciding to parent) will be particularly complicated
port in relationship satisfaction, stigma management, and for the lesbian, gay, or bisexual family member. It may be
psychological well-being (Beals, 2004), psychologists are challenging to explain to family members how sexual ori-
encouraged to recognize and value lesbian, gay, and bisex- entation and experiences related to stigma may impact
ual family structures. Psychologists also are urged to con- decisions related to work and career, sexual and romantic
sider the stress that clients may experience when their relationships, and parenting (Patterson, 2007). Both the
families of origin, employers, or others do not recognize family of origin and the extended family may grapple with
their alternative family structures. When working with les- the recognition of same-sex partners and children raised by
bian, gay, and bisexual clients, it can be helpful to ask them a same-sex couple.
about their friendship network, the quality of their relation- Application. Psychologists are encouraged to
ships in that network, and whether they consider members explore with lesbian, gay, and bisexual clients any issues
of this network to be “family.” A related issue would be the and concerns related to their family of origin and extended
person’s level of involvement with the lesbian, gay, and family. Psychologists strive to understand the culturally
bisexual community, as connection with the community specific risks of coming out to one’s family of origin. For
may provide the individual with role models, social sup- example, racial and ethnic minority families may fear los-
port, a sense of solidarity, and other resources helpful in the ing the support of their community if they are open about
development of a positive identity (I. H. Meyer, 2003; having a lesbian, gay, or bisexual child. Psychologists can
G. M. Russell, 2000). assist clients in facilitating discussions with their families
about their identities as well as about cultural stigma.
Guideline 10. Psychologists strive to Families may need support in developing new understand-
understand the ways in which a person’s ings of sexual orientation, confronting the ways in which
lesbian, gay, or bisexual orientation may negative societal attitudes about homosexuality and bisex-
have an impact on his or her family of origin uality are manifested within the family, and supporting
and the relationship with that family of family members in addressing difficulties related to societal
origin. stigmatization.
Newer models of family therapy move beyond ad-
Rationale. There are many responses a family dressing difficulties and promote processes of creating
can have upon learning that one of its members is lesbian, constructive systemic change (Fish & Harvey, 2005). Psy-
gay, or bisexual (Patterson, 2007; Savin-Williams, 2003). chologists are encouraged to assist families in developing
Some families of origin may be unprepared to accept a long-term support for their lesbian, gay, and bisexual mem-
lesbian, gay, or bisexual child or family member because of bers and to monitor the relationships among family mem-
familial, ethnic, or cultural norms; religious beliefs; or bers beyond the adjustment to discovering the identity of a
negative stereotypes (Buxton, 2005; Chan, 1995; Firestein, lesbian, gay, or bisexual member (Oswald, 2002). Psychol-
2007; Greene, 2000; Matteson, 1996). For these families, ogists are urged to assist lesbian, gay, and bisexual clients
this awareness may precipitate a family crisis that can in their efforts to present accurate information regarding
result in profound distancing from or expulsion of the sexual orientation to their families. Finally, psychologists
lesbian, gay, or bisexual family member; rejection of the strive to be aware of the cultural variations in a family’s
parents and siblings by that family member; parental guilt reaction and ways of adapting to a lesbian, gay, or bisexual
and self-recrimination; or conflicts within the parents’ re- member. Local and national resources are available that
lationship (Dickens & McKellen, 1996; Griffin, Wirth, & can provide information, assistance, and support to family
Wirth, 1996; Savin-Williams, 2003; Savin-Williams & members (e.g., Parents, Family, and Friends of Lesbians
Dube, 1998; Strommen, 1993). On the other hand, there are and Gays; Children of Lesbians and Gays Everywhere; see
families of origin in which acceptance of their lesbian, gay, Appendix A).
or bisexual member is unconditional or without crisis (Pat-
terson, 2007; Savin-Williams, 2003). Research does sug- Issues of Diversity
gest, however, that even supportive families may experi- The following guidelines refer to aspects of the life expe-
ence an adjustment period upon learning that a family rience that may overlap and/or contribute in varying de-

January 2012 ● American Psychologist 19


grees to an individual’s sense of identity and relationship to experience racism and discrimination within the lesbian,
his or her social and cultural environment. The concept of gay, and bisexual communities at large. These challenges
intersectionality (Cole, 2009) is used to characterize the may be even greater for lesbian, gay, and bisexual people
variable, differential, and unique effects of constructs such from diverse racial, ethnic, or cultural backgrounds who
as race, ethnicity, culture, gender, age, sexual orientation, experience other forms of marginalization related to such
class, and disability on the individual’s life. Intersectional- factors as age, geographic location, immigration status,
ity is defined by multiple categories of identity, difference, limited English-language proficiency, acculturation status,
and disadvantage. The understanding of how these catego- social class, and disability (e.g., Bieschke, Hardy,
ries depend upon one another for meaning is based on Fassinger, & Croteau, 2008; Rosario, Schrimshaw, &
questions of inclusion (i.e., diversity within categories), Hunter, 2004).
inequality (i.e., relative placement in hierarchies of power Application. Psychologists are urged to under-
and privilege), and similarities (i.e., commonalities across stand the different ways in which multiple minority statuses
categories typically viewed as deeply different; Cole, may complicate and exacerbate the difficulties their clients
2009). The following guidelines on diversity each reflect a experience. For example, psychologists are encouraged to
substantive construct; however, the reader is encouraged to consider as critical factors in treatment the ways in which
consider them through the lens of intersectionality. clients may be affected by how their cultures of origin view
and stigmatize homosexuality and bisexuality (Gock, 2001;
Guideline 11. Psychologists strive to
Greene, 1994c), as well as the effects of racism within the
recognize the challenges related to multiple
mainstream lesbian, gay, and bisexual communities (Gock,
and often conflicting norms, values, and
2001; Greene, 1994a; Morales, 1996; Rust, 1996a). Fur-
beliefs faced by lesbian, gay, and bisexual
thermore, sensitivity to the complex dynamics associated
members of racial and ethnic minority
with other overlapping layers of social identities and sta-
groups.
tuses (e.g., social class, gender roles, religious beliefs) is
Rationale. Lesbian, gay, and bisexual individu- critical to effective work with these populations (Chan,
als who are members of racial, ethnic, and cultural minority 1995; Garnets & Kimmel, 2003; Greene, 1994a; Rust,
groups must negotiate the norms, values, and beliefs re- 1996a) in assisting clients to negotiate these issues.
garding homosexuality and bisexuality of both mainstream Psychologists strive to recognize and to help their
and minority cultures (Chan, 1992, 1995; Greene, 1994b; clients recognize the effective coping strategies and other
Manalansan, 1996; Rust, 1996a). There is some evidence to protective factors that their lesbian, gay, and bisexual cli-
suggest that cultural variation in these norms, values, be- ents from racial, ethnic, and cultural minority backgrounds
liefs, and attitudes can be a significant source of psycho- may have developed through their multiple marginalization
logical stress that affects the health and mental health of experiences (Greene, 2003; Selvidge, Matthews, &
lesbians, gay men, and bisexual women and men (Dı́az, Bridges, 2008). Psychologists are also encouraged to un-
Ayala, Bein, Henne, & Marin, 2001; Harper & Schneider, derstand and help their lesbian, gay, and bisexual clients
2003; I. H. Meyer, 2003). Recently, however, there is address the anger, frustration, and pain that they have often
evidence to suggest that lesbian, gay, and bisexual individ- experienced both as people from diverse racial, ethnic, and
uals from diverse racial, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds cultural backgrounds and as sexual minority people (Espin,
may have lower rates of mental health problems (e.g., 1993; Jones & Hill, 1996).
Cochran, Mays, Alegria, Ortega, & Takeuchi, 2007;
Guideline 12. Psychologists are encouraged
Kertzner, Meyer, Frost, & Stirratt, 2009; I. H. Meyer,
to consider the influences of religion and
Dietrich, & Schwartz, 2008). It may be that the skills
spirituality in the lives of lesbian, gay, and
learned in negotiating one stigmatized aspect of identity
bisexual persons.
may actually assist the individual in dealing with and
protect the individual from other forms of stigmatization. Rationale. The influence of religion and spiritu-
Nevertheless, the integration of multiple identities ality in the lives of lesbian, gay, and bisexual persons can
could pose challenges for lesbian, gay, and bisexual people be complex, dynamic, and a source of ambivalence. Such is
from diverse racial, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds. For the case because their experience, especially with orga-
example, a lesbian, gay, or bisexual person of color may nized religion, is varied and diverse. Although some reli-
experience “conflicts of allegiance” (Gock, 2001; Morales, gious and spiritual belief systems are relatively neutral
1989) when the expectations of the lesbian, gay, and bi- about diverse sexual orientations (e.g., Buddhism and Hin-
sexual community with which he or she identifies are at duism), others historically have been more condemnatory
odds with those of the racial, ethnic, or cultural group with (e.g., Christianity, Judaism, and Islam). Even within reli-
which he or she also has a strong sense of belonging. These gious traditions that have been historically disapproving of
conflicts of allegiance may lead to a lesbian, gay, and nonheterosexual orientations, there has been an emerging
bisexual person from a diverse racial, ethnic, or cultural and growing theological paradigm in the past 20 to 30 years
background experiencing the sense of never being part of that accepts and supports diverse sexual orientations (Borg,
any group completely (Greene, 2007). According to 2004). The religious backgrounds of lesbian, gay, and
Greene, in addition to dealing with their minority sexual bisexual individuals may have variable effects on their
orientations, lesbian, gay, and bisexual people of color psychological functioning and well-being (Haldeman,

20 January 2012 ● American Psychologist


2004). Besides having diverse past experience with faith, and/or come out can profoundly shape such developmental
lesbian, gay, and bisexual individuals may differ in terms tasks as claiming identity labels, identity disclosure, par-
of the role that religion and spirituality play in their current enting, and political involvement (Fassinger & Arseneau,
lives. For instance, some view their faith traditions and 2007). Examples of factors influencing generational differ-
spiritual beliefs as an important and integral part of iden- ences include changing societal attitudes toward sexuality;
tity, but others do not (Maynard, 2001). Moreover, as for the effects of HIV/AIDS on sexual minority communities;
their heterosexual counterparts, the influence and meaning changing religious and spiritual attitudes and practices; the
of faith for lesbian, gay, and bisexual persons may differ women’s, gay, and civil rights movements; advancements
across the life span. in reproductive technologies and changes in ideologies
Application. Psychologists strive to be aware about families; and changes in conceptualizations of sexual
and respectful of the diverse religious and spiritual prac- and gender identity, including identity labels. Cohort ef-
tices espoused by lesbian, gay, and bisexual people. Les- fects are distinct from age differences. For example, a
bian, gay, and bisexual psychologists in particular may be person who came out in the 1950s likely would have had a
vulnerable to conscious or unconscious religious bias that very different experience than someone who came out
could negatively affect their work with clients who espouse within the past decade. Similarly, a 15-year-old coming out
a strong religious identification (Haldeman, 2004). They today likely would have a different experience than a
are encouraged to understand both the historical and cur- 45-year-old coming out today.
rent role and impact of religion and spirituality in the lives Normative issues or changes related to aging for all
of their lesbian, gay, and bisexual clients (Haldeman, older adults (e.g., health, retirement, finances, and social
1996). In particular, they are urged to consider the rejecting support; Berger, 1996; Kimmel, 1995; Slater, 1995) may
and hurtful religious experiences that their lesbian, gay, and become significantly more challenging for older lesbian,
bisexual clients may have had. The integration of these gay, and bisexual individuals due to heterosexist discrim-
sometimes disparate but salient aspects of identity is often ination. Lack of legal protections may raise problems in
an important treatment goal for psychologists working with medical and financial decision making, couple autonomy in
lesbian, gay, and bisexual clients who are conflicted be- health and end-of-life decisions, access to appropriate
cause of their religious identification (Benoit, 2005; Bu- health care, parenting rights, health care and retirement
chanan, Dzelme, Harris, & Hecker, 2001; Harris, Cook, & benefits, inheritances, living arrangements, and property
Kashubek-West, 2008). rights. Cohort effects and age effects interact, as older
APA’s “Resolution on Religious, Religion-Based lesbian, gay, and bisexual individuals have more frequent
and/or Religion-Derived Prejudice” (Anton, 2008) called interactions with medical providers (age effect) combined
upon psychologists to examine their own religious beliefs with the likely concealment of identity (cohort effect); such
and prevent these beliefs from taking precedence over interactions may result in compromised health care
professional practice and standards in their clinical work (Fassinger & Arseneau, 2007).
with lesbian, gay, and bisexual clients. The majority of Multiple minority status (e.g., related to gender, social
clients who seek SOCE hold religious beliefs that they class, disability, race and ethnicity) also will affect the
experience as incompatible with their sexual orientation experience of aging for lesbian, gay, and bisexual older
(APA, 2009b; Shidlo & Schroeder, 2002; Tozer & Hayes, individuals (Kimmel, Rose, & David, 2006). For example,
2004). Psychologists are encouraged to consider such re- there appear to be differences in perceived stigmatization
quests very carefully by reviewing the APA “Resolution on by ethnicity and age among older lesbian, gay, and bisexual
Appropriate Affirmative Responses to Sexual Orientation adults (David & Knight, 2008). As another example,
Distress and Change Efforts” (APA, 2009b) and discussing women in same-sex relationships may experience height-
the current research and possible risks associated with ened financial difficulties due to the cumulative effects of
change efforts with their clients. Furthermore, psycholo- depressed earnings over their lifetimes (Fassinger, 2008).
gists are encouraged to inquire about the social and cultural Finally, many lesbian, gay, and bisexual older adults ex-
influences that may play a role in these requests. In addi- perience ageism within lesbian, gay, and bisexual commu-
tion, psychologists are encouraged to be familiar with the nities (Kimmel et al., 2006).
resources (including but not limited to faith-related litera- Application. Psychologists are urged to consider
ture and groups) from different faith traditions in their the particular historical context of the cohort to which the
communities that are affirming and welcoming of lesbian, client belongs. In regard to age, psychologists recognize
gay, and bisexual people. that older adults are a diverse group and that normative
changes in aging may be positive as well as negative and
Guideline 13. Psychologists strive to
are not necessarily related to pathology or to a client’s
recognize cohort and age differences among
sexual orientation. In regard to the interaction of cohort and
lesbian, gay, and bisexual individuals.
age, psychologists are encouraged to attend to the ways in
Rationale. Lesbian, gay, and bisexual individu- which a particular age-related issue may be affected by
als may differ substantially based on the effects of cohort cohort experience. For example, grieving related to the
and age. Cohort influences are broad historical forces that death of a partner (age-normative issue) may be exacer-
shape the context of development; for lesbian, gay, and bated by heterosexism among older peers (cohort effect),
bisexual people, the time period in which one has lived resulting in a lack of support for the grieving partner.

January 2012 ● American Psychologist 21


Psychologists recognize that federal, state, and local protect them from both the experience of heterosexism and
laws and regulations affect the rights of their older lesbian, the internalization of heterosexist beliefs (R. J. Green,
gay, and bisexual clients and are aware of relevant re- 2004). Close relationships with a network of supportive
sources that may assist clients with medical, legal, and friends therefore are extremely important and can serve as
financial needs. Psychologists may find resources on pos- a buffer against the pain of familial rejection and/or societal
itive adaptation to aging among lesbian, gay, and bisexual heterosexism. A strong friendship network has been
older adults helpful (Friend, 1990; Lee, 1987). Psycholo- viewed as pivotal in sexual identity exploration and devel-
gists may help older lesbians, gay men, and bisexual clients opment (D’Augelli, 1991).
to apply strategies they have learned from coping with Application. Psychologists are encouraged to
heterosexism in managing the challenges associated with consider the psychological impact of current social and
normative aging (Fassinger, 1997; Kimmel et al., 2006). political events and media portrayals of sexual minorities
on lesbian, gay, and bisexual youths. An awareness of
Guideline 14. Psychologists strive to
ethical and legal issues when working with lesbian, gay,
understand the unique problems and risks
and bisexual youths is particularly important, given that
that exist for lesbian, gay, and bisexual
laws on confidentiality, health status disclosure, and age of
youths.
consensual sex differ from state to state.
Rationale. Navigating the cognitive, emotional, Youths may feel reluctant to claim an identity relative
and social developmental changes of adolescence while to sexual orientation. Furthermore, sexual identity may be
simultaneously integrating the emergence of a lesbian, gay, experienced as fluid during adolescence (Diamond, 2007;
or bisexual identity can be challenging for youths Rosario, Schrimshaw, Hunter, & Braun, 2006). Psycholo-
(D’Augelli, 2006). Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and questioning gists therefore strive to create an open and affirming ther-
youths may be at increased risk for difficulties not experi- apeutic context for discussions of sexuality and exploration
enced by their heterosexual counterparts (cf. D’Augelli, of meaning that youths give to self-identifying terms. Psy-
2002; Espelage et al., 2008; Lasser, Tharinger, & Cloth, chologists also strive to help lesbian, gay, bisexual, and
2006; Thomas & Larrabee, 2002), such as homelessness questioning youths and their families to identify alternative
(Urbina, 2007), prostitution (Savin-Williams, 1994), and resources for education, opportunities for support, and af-
sexually transmitted diseases (Solorio, Milburn, & Weiss, firming Internet sites, when appropriate.
2006). Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and questioning youths who Research shows that lesbian, gay, and bisexual youths
do not conform to gender norms may experience increased are subjected to high levels of sexual orientation harass-
difficulties in peer relationships (D’Augelli et al., 2002; ment in schools (E. J. Meyer, 2009). Psychologists are
Wilson & Wren, 2005). Decisions about coming out may encouraged to work with teachers and school administra-
pose even greater difficulties for lesbian, gay, and bisexual tors to assist them in recognizing the long-term impact of
youths of color, for whom family and community may be such harassment, such as school dropout, poor academic
a vital source of support for dealing with racism (see performance, and suicidal behavior. Psychologists can
Guideline 11). Lesbian, gay, and bisexual youths often serve as resources to assist school personnel in reducing
have problems in school that are related to their sexual sexual orientation harassment in schools.
orientation (Cooper-Nicols, 2007), such as social alienation Ryan (2009) showed that even minor levels of paren-
(Sullivan & Wodarski, 2002) and bullying (E. J. Meyer, tal acceptance are associated with increased psychological
2009). These factors may increase the risk of substance and physical well-being in lesbian, gay, and bisexual
abuse (Jordan, 2000) or have long-term consequences, such youths. This study found that lower levels of familial
as posttraumatic stress (Rivers, 2004). rejection during adolescence and young adulthood were
The social stigma associated with lesbian, gay, and associated with lower level of depression, reduced sub-
bisexual identities may create pressure on youths to con- stance use, less high-risk sexual behavior, and lowered
form to heterosexual dating behaviors, to hide their sexual suicide risk. When working with parents of lesbian, gay,
orientation, or to avoid social interactions (Safren & Pan- bisexual, or questioning youths, psychologists are urged to
talone, 2006). Attempts to mask or deny their sexual iden- assess the level of acceptance or rejection of their child’s
tity may put lesbian, gay, and bisexual teens at higher risk sexual orientation. Interventions might include employing
for unwanted pregnancy (Saewyc, 2006), engaging in un- psychoeducational strategies to provide accurate informa-
safe sex (Rosario, Schrimshaw, & Hunter, 2006), interper- tion about sexual orientation and building on familial
sonal violence (S. T. Russell, Franz, & Driscoll, 2001), and strengths to increase support for their lesbian, gay, bisex-
suicide attempts (Savin-Williams, 2001). ual, and questioning youths (Ryan, 2009).
Lesbian, gay, and bisexual youths often experience
Guideline 15. Psychologists are encouraged
negative parental reactions about their sexual orientation
to recognize the particular challenges that
(Heatherington & Lavner, 2008). Supportive families may
lesbian, gay, and bisexual individuals with
be a protective factor against the negative effects of mi-
physical, sensory, and cognitive– emotional
nority stress for lesbian, gay, and bisexual youths (I. H.
disabilities experience.
Meyer, 2003; Ryan, 2009). However, well-intentioned het-
erosexual parents may not offer the degree of insight and Rationale. Lesbian, gay, and bisexual individu-
socialization needed by lesbian, gay, and bisexual youths to als with disabilities may encounter a wide range of partic-

22 January 2012 ● American Psychologist


ular challenges related to the social stigma associated both the sexual history and current sexual functioning of their
with disability and with sexual orientation (Saad, 1997). lesbian, gay, and bisexual clients with disabilities, as well
They also may experience the sense of invisibility that is as provide information and facilitate problem solving in
associated with the intersection of same-sex orientation and this often-overlooked area (Kaufman, Silverberg, &
physical, cognitive– emotional, and/or sensory disability Odette, 2007; Olkin, 1999). Many lesbian, gay, and bisex-
(Abbott & Burns, 2007; Lofgren-Martenson, 2009), due to ual people with disabilities have experienced coercive sex-
prevailing societal views of people with disabilities as ual encounters (Swartz, 1995; Thompson, 1994). Sensitive
nonsexual and alone. Moreover, Shapiro (1993) has exploration regarding the individual’s history of victimiza-
pointed out that an individual’s self-concept may be neg- tion is recommended.
atively affected by these challenges, which, in turn, further
Guideline 16. Psychologists strive to
compromises her or his sense of autonomy and personal
understand the impact of HIV/AIDS on the
agency, sexuality, and self-confidence.
lives of lesbian, gay, and bisexual
There are a number of particular challenges faced by
individuals and communities.
lesbian, gay, and bisexual individuals with physical, sen-
sory, and cognitive– emotional disabilities. For example, Rationale. Because HIV/AIDS and sexual orien-
gay men with intellectual and learning disabilities have tation have been conflated, people living with the disease
been shown to be at significantly greater risk for engaging are stigmatized (Herek, Capitanio, & Widaman, 2002).
in unsafe sex (Yacoub & Hall, 2009). A sense of being Additional factors that contribute to the prejudice and dis-
“less masculine” also has been implicated in higher risk crimination faced by people living with HIV/AIDS include
sexual behavior among disabled gay men (O’Neill & Hird, misunderstanding of or misinformation about the virus
2001). Within partner relationships, special issues related (Ritieni, Moskowitz, & Tholandi, 2008), general homopho-
to life management, including mobility, sexuality, and bia and racism (Brooks, Etzel, Hinojos, Henry, & Perez,
medical and legal decision making, may be specifically 2005), and the fact that the virus is spread through behavior
challenging. In addition, family support may not be avail- that some individuals or groups condemn as objectionable
able because of negative reactions to the person’s sexual (Kopelman, 2002). Although an AIDS diagnosis was ini-
orientation (McDaniel, 1995; Rolland, 1994). Lesbian, gay, tially a death sentence, significant medical advances in the
and bisexual people with disabilities may not have the same treatment of HIV/AIDS have resulted in its reconceptual-
access to information, support, and services that are avail- ization as a chronic disease (Pierret, 2007).
able to those without disabilities (O’Toole, 2003; O’Toole In addition to coping with a stigmatized illness, people
& Bregante, 1992). Moreover, there may be additional living with HIV/AIDS have to face the myriad medical
stress associated with the pressure of a lesbian, gay, or problems and medication side effects that are characteristic
bisexual person to come out to caregivers and health care of the virus and its treatment (Johnson & Neilands, 2007).
professionals in order to receive responsive services Many people with HIV/AIDS struggle with concerns about
(O’Toole & Bregante, 1992). rejection following disclosure of their HIV-positive status
Application. Psychologists working with les- to friends, family members, and sex and romantic partners
bian, gay, and bisexual individuals with disabilities are (Simoni & Pantalone, 2005). Moreover, empirical stu-
encouraged to pay particular attention to the covariance of dies on the mental health of people living with HIV/AIDS
issues of disability, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gen- consistently have revealed high rates of mood and anxiety
der, age, health status, and socioeconomic status (Fraley, disorders (Bing et al., 2001), as well as problems with drug
Mona, & Theodore, 2007; Hunt, Matthews, Milsom, & and alcohol use and abuse (Pence, Miller, Whetten, Eron,
Lammel, 2006). The potential additive effects of stigma- & Gaynes, 2006). People living with the disease have
tized aspects of identity may be exacerbated by issues in reported higher rates of interpersonal violence than have
significant relationships (e.g., partners, family members, their HIV-negative peers (Cohen et al., 2000; Greenwood
caregivers, health care providers) and call for thoughtful et al., 2002). Older adults face particular challenges relative
assessment. Furthermore, psychologists working with dis- to HIV/AIDS. For example, older adults who are surviving
abled lesbian, gay, and bisexual individuals are urged to with HIV/AIDS may experience cognitive and physical
consider the potential effects of social barriers in the les- changes associated with their treatment regimens (e.g.,
bian, gay, and bisexual community and in the larger social Oelklaus, Williams, & Clay, 2007). Some HIV-negative
context (Shapiro, 1993). older adults may be at risk for seroconversion due to
Psychologists are urged to consider ways of empow- disinhibitory sexual behavior associated with decreased
ering their lesbian, gay, and bisexual clients with disabili- cognitive functioning, loneliness, depression, or other emo-
ties, given the disenfranchisement and sense of invisibility tional or existential factors (cf. Grov, Golub, Parsons,
experienced by many in this group (Shuttleworth, 2007). Brennan, & Karpiak, 2010), despite knowledge of safe
Where available, support groups have been recommended sexual practices. Coping with this complex array of phys-
as helpful adjuncts to psychotherapy (Williams, 2007). ical and mental health problems can be a significant chal-
Comprehensive psychotherapeutic approaches to the inter- lenge for individuals living with HIV, as well for the
section between disability and sexual orientation have been psychologists who provide services to them (J. R. Ander-
developed (cf. Hanjorgiris, Rath, & O’Neill, 2004; Hunt et son & Barret, 2001; Berg, Michelson, & Safren, 2007). In
al., 2006). Psychologists are encouraged to inquire about addition, it is important to note that HIV/AIDS issues occur

January 2012 ● American Psychologist 23


within the context of other physical health disparities (Kre- employment or housing settings (e.g., Malcolm et al.,
hely, 2009). 1998).
Application. When conducting an initial assess-
ment, psychologists are urged to avoid any assumptions Economic and Workplace Issues
pertaining to a client’s HIV serostatus based on sexual Guideline 17. Psychologists are encouraged
orientation or other demographic characteristics. There is to consider the impact of socioeconomic
no reliable way to know the HIV serostatus of any client status on the psychological well-being of
without asking directly. Moreover, by broaching this sub- lesbian, gay, and bisexual clients.
ject openly, psychologists create an opportunity to offer
accurate preventive educational information on HIV for all Rationale. Data indicate that lesbian, gay, and
their clients (e.g., safer/riskier sexual behavior), as well as bisexual men and women are often at economic disadvan-
to provide support to those who are HIV positive (e.g., tage in contrast to their heterosexual counterparts. In a
encouraging them to seek or continue medical care). Psy- 1995 study, Badgett found that gay men earned between
chologists are encouraged to obtain the requisite informa- 11% and 27% less than heterosexual males. Research has
tion to be able to discuss HIV prevention strategies with also shown that gay men living in same-sex relationships
their clients. earn less than men in heterosexual marriages (Allegretto &
Psychologists strive to understand and account for the Arthur, 2001; Klawitter & Flatt, 1998). Albelda et al.
impact of societal marginalization as a result of the unique (2009) found that lesbian and gay couple families are
multiple oppressed identities and other factors (e.g., sexual significantly more likely to be poor than are heterosexual
minority, racial/ethnic minority, low socioeconomic status, married couple families, and lesbian couples in particular
disability) of each of their clients living with HIV/AIDS. were also much more likely to be poor than heterosexual
Among young gay men of color, low self-esteem and other couples and their families. Elmslie and Tebaldi (2007)
factors (e.g., social networks) have been shown to contrib- found that gay men in managerial and blue-collar jobs can
ute to high seroconversion rate (Brooks, Rotheram-Borus, earn up to 23% less than their heterosexual counterparts.
Bing, Ayala, & Henry, 2003; Millett, Flores, Peterson, & Although gay men and lesbians tend to be more highly
Bakeman, 2007), Psychologists are encouraged to discuss educated than their heterosexual counterparts (Carpenter,
safe sexual behaviors with their at-risk clients. In addition, 2005; Rothblum, Balsam, & Mickey, 2004), they continue
to earn less money (Egan, Edelman, & Sherrill, 2008;
psychologists are encouraged to be cognizant of how dif-
Factor & Rothblum, 2007; Fassinger, 2008). Badgett
ferent age cohorts may have had different experiences with
(2003) and Fassinger (2008) suggested that there is signif-
HIV/AIDS. For example, many older lesbians, gay men,
icant discrimination in the workplace against lesbians and
and bisexual women and men may have undergone signif-
gay men, as there is in the retail market. Lesbian, gay, and
icant emotional trauma, grief, and loss because of the many
bisexual individuals have been fired, denied promotion,
AIDS-related deaths of their friends and partners in the given negative performance evaluations, and received un-
1980s and early 1990s and may need continued support in equal pay and benefits on the basis of their sexual orienta-
the face of these losses. tion (Badgett, Lau, Sears, & Ho, 2007).
Psychologists are encouraged to increase their aware- There is increasing understanding of the relationship
ness of the comprehensive impact of HIV/AIDS on the between poverty and mental health issues (e.g., Costello,
lives of people affected by and infected with the virus. For Compton, Keeler, & Angold, 2003; Croteau, Bieschke,
example, there can be significant changes in the identity Fassinger, & Manning, 2008). Low-income individuals are
and roles of those people living with HIV/AIDS as a result more likely than those from upper socioeconomic brackets
of their HIV infection (Baumgartner, 2007). Acquiring to suffer from a diagnosable mental disorder (Bourdon,
HIV may also be a catalyst for psychological or spiritual Rae, Narrow, Manderschild, & Regier, 1994). Therefore,
growth for some but a cause for mourning and grief for those lesbian, gay, and bisexual men and women who live
others (Moskowitz & Wrubel, 2005). In addition, HIV in poverty have an added burden of further disenfranchise-
seroconversion can seriously affect the social and intimate ment and alienation.
relationships of those living with the disease. HIV-positive Financial resources and education may mediate the
men and women may experience shame or rejection from negative effects of discrimination (e.g., greater economic
family members, friends, or coworkers (e.g., Laryea & power and options, improved self-esteem). Conversely,
Gien, 1993). This interpersonal rejection may be particu- lower socioeconomic status may constitute additional
larly traumatic for those who previously have experienced stress, increased marginalization, greater challenges in ad-
similar difficulties as a result of the disclosure of other justing to a stigmatized sexual orientation, and reduced
stigmatized aspects of their identity. Moreover, in an inti- opportunities to access appropriate social supports. Ray
mate partner relationship, HIV can serve as an additional (2006) noted that fear of persecution and lack of acceptance
stressor or barrier to intimacy. This is the case especially result in the homelessness of many lesbian, gay, and bi-
for individuals in sero-discordant relationships, because the sexual youths. Homeless lesbian, gay, and bisexual youths
partners must navigate the emotional and practical issues are more likely to engage in high-risk behavior. Van Leeu-
surrounding sex and intimacy. Furthermore, a person’s wen et al. (2006) found a higher risk of suicide attempts,
HIV-positive status may be a cause for discrimination in survival sex, and drug use among lesbian, gay, and bisexual

24 January 2012 ● American Psychologist


youths than their heterosexual counterparts. In older les- et al., 2008). Identity concealment strategies, however,
bian, gay, and bisexual adults, various challenges exist exact a psychological price, including constant vigilance
regarding traditional income-support mechanisms (e.g., So- about sharing information, separation of personal and work
cial Security, pension plans, 401(k) plans; Cahill & South, lives, coping with feelings of dishonesty and invisibility,
2002). Same-sex couples experience legal barriers (e.g., isolation from social and professional collegial networks
lack of access to legal marriage or health care benefits) that and support, and burnout from the stress of hiding identity
can result in socioeconomic disparities (APA, 2009a). (see Croteau et al., 2008; Fassinger, 2008).
Application. Psychologists are encouraged to as- Application. Psychologists are encouraged to as-
sess the ways in which socioeconomic status affects les- sist their lesbian, gay, and bisexual clients in identifying
bian, gay, and bisexual clients in areas such as low self- and addressing potential barriers to vocational development
esteem, familial conflict, and relationship problems. For and success. Psychologists are urged to assist lesbian,
example, it is helpful to consider the psychological se- gay, and bisexual clients in overcoming internalized ste-
quelae of low socioeconomic status (e.g., shame, depres- reotypes about themselves and/or about the world of work
sion, anxiety) upon lesbian, gay, and bisexual individuals, that may affect their occupational choices and decision
as these may linger throughout the life span even if one making (Adams, Cahill, & Ackerlind, 2005; Croteau et al.,
advances in socioeconomic status (Martell, 2007; G. M. 2008; Nauta, Saucier, & Woodard, 2001; Tomlinson &
Russell, 1996). In addition, in their assessments, psychol- Fassinger, 2003). Psychologists can aid lesbian, gay, and
ogists are urged to consider the ways in which low socio- bisexual clients in assessing their work environments and
economic status and economic discrimination based on exploring appropriate strategies for sexual orientation dis-
sexual orientation may have compounding effects. Psy- closure in the workplace (M. Z. Anderson et al., 2001;
chologists also are encouraged to refrain from making Croteau et al, 2008; Lidderdale, Croteau, Anderson, Tovar-
assumptions about socioeconomic status based upon sexual Murray, & Davis, 2007), including issues that arise in the
orientation. process of searching for and obtaining a job (Lidderdale et
al., 2007).
Guideline 18. Psychologists strive to
Psychologists are encouraged to address issues of
understand the unique workplace issues that
multiple oppressions when providing counseling regarding
exist for lesbian, gay, and bisexual
work and career for lesbian, gay, and bisexual clients,
individuals.
preparing them to cope with the effects of racism, sexism,
Rationale. There are unique difficulties and risks heterosexism, ableism, ageism, and other forms of margin-
faced by lesbian, gay, and bisexual individuals in the work- alization (Bieschke et al., 2008). Psychologists strive to be
place, particularly the impact of sexual stigma (Herek, aware of special considerations in the use of career assess-
2007; Herek, Gillis, & Cogan, 2009) on vocational decision ment inventories with lesbian, gay, and bisexual individu-
making, choice, implementation, adjustment, and achieve- als (Chung, 2003a, 2003b; Pope et al., 2004).
ment (Croteau et al., 2008; Fassinger, 2008; Pope et al., Psychologists can be helpful to lesbian, gay, and bi-
2004). Barriers to the vocational development and success sexual clients in their vocational and workplace decision
of lesbian, gay, and bisexual individuals include employ- making by encouraging them to become aware of local and
ment discrimination (Fassinger, 2008; Kirby, 2002); wage national career resources. These resources might include
discrimination (Badgett, 2003; Elmslie & Tebaldi, 2007); national lesbian and gay networks of professionals, local
lack of benefits (e.g., family medical leave, bereavement gay/lesbian community resources, special programs by les-
leave, child care, same-sex partner benefits; Fassinger, bian/gay professionals, career shadowing opportunities
2008); hostile workplace climates (Ragins & Cornwell, with gay/lesbian professionals, externships or cooperative
2001; Ragins, Singh, & Cornwell, 2007); job stereotyping education placements in gay/lesbian-owned or -operated
(Chung, 2001; Keeton, 2002); occupational restrictions businesses, and lesbian, gay, and bisexual mentoring pro-
(e.g., military, clergy) (Fassinger, 2008); the interactive grams (Pope et al., 2004).
effects of bias based upon gender, race and ethnicity,
disability, and other aspects of marginalized status (Bi- Education and Training
eschke et al., 2008; Van Puymbroeck, 2002); and compro-
Guideline 19. Psychologists strive to include
mised career assessment (M. Z. Anderson, Croteau, Chung,
lesbian, gay, and bisexual issues in
& DiStefano, 2001; Pope et al., 2004). It should be noted
professional education and training.
that the general assessment issues mentioned in Guideline
4 apply as well in the special case of career assessment. Rationale. Despite the rising emphasis on diver-
The most salient issue for lesbian, gay, and bisexual sity training during graduate education and internship,
workers in a context of sexual stigma is identity manage- studies have shown that graduate students in psychology
ment (Croteau et al., 2008). Although research indicates and early career psychologists report inadequate education
that identity disclosure is linked to more positive mental and training in lesbian, gay, and bisexual issues (Matthews,
health outcomes than is concealing identity (cf. Herek & Selvidge, & Fisher, 2005; Pilkington & Cantor, 1996) and
Garnets, 2007), many lesbian, gay, and bisexual workers feel unprepared to work with these groups (Allison, Craw-
adopt identity management strategies to protect against ford, Echemendia, Robinson, & Knepp, 1994; Phillips &
actual or anticipated workplace discrimination (Croteau Fischer, 1998). Matthews (2007) noted that “mental health

January 2012 ● American Psychologist 25


professionals live in the same heterosexist society as ev- support systems for lesbian, gay, and bisexual members of
erybody else and are subject to the biases and prejudices the institution (e.g., resource centers, research support,
that permeate that culture” (p. 205). Students may describe mentoring programs). Psychologists who have expertise in
their attitudes as more affirmative than these actually are if lesbian, gay, and bisexual psychology may be used on a
examined more deeply. Training has been shown to clarify full-time or part-time basis to provide training and consul-
negative attitudes about nonheterosexual orientations tation to faculty, research guidance, and course and clinical
(Boysen & Vogel, 2008; T. Israel & Hackett, 2004). Iden- supervision to students. Faculty and clinical supervisors are
tification as lesbian, gay, or bisexual does not necessarily encouraged to seek continuing education course work in
confer expertise in practice with lesbian, gay, and bisexual lesbian, gay, and bisexual issues to increase awareness of
clients. Greene (1997) outlined some of the issues unique the unique needs of lesbian, gay, and bisexual clients
to nonheterosexual practitioners (e.g., concerns about (Biaggio et al., 2003).
boundaries, overidentification with the client, advocacy).
Guideline 20. Psychologists are encouraged
Application. Lesbian, gay, and bisexual training
to increase their knowledge and
programs or modules have been shown to positively en-
understanding of homosexuality and
hance the knowledge and skills of students (Rutter, Estrada,
bisexuality through continuing education,
Ferguson, & Diggs, 2008). Faculty, supervisors, and con-
training, supervision, and consultation.
sultants are encouraged to integrate current information
about lesbian, gay, and bisexual issues throughout graduate Rationale. Although the study of diverse popu-
training for professional practice. Resources are available lations has received more attention in recent years, many
to assist faculty in including lesbian, gay, and bisexual practicing psychologists may not have received basic in-
content in program curricula (e.g., APA, 1995; Bieschke, formation pertaining to working with lesbian, gay, and
Perez, & DeBord, 2000, 2007; Buhrke & Douce, 1991; bisexual clients. APA’s Ethics Code (APA, 2002b) urges
Cabaj & Stein, 1996; Croteau & Bieschke, 1996; Greene & psychologists to “undertake ongoing efforts to develop and
Croom, 2000; Hancock, 1995, 2000; Pope, 1995; Ritter & maintain their competence” (p. 1064). Unfortunately, the
Terndrup, 2002; Savin-Williams & Cohen, 1996) and in education, training, practice experience, consultation,
training and supervision (e.g., Halpert, Reinhardt, & and/or supervision that psychologists receive regarding les-
Toohey, 2007; Mintz & Bieschke, 2009). Halpert et al. bian, gay, and bisexual issues often have been inadequate,
presented affirmative models of supervision that may be outdated, or unavailable (Morrow, 1998; J. A. Murphy,
used with any theoretical orientation and that can help Rawlings, & Howe, 2002; Pilkington & Cantor, 1996;
students become culturally competent practitioners with Sherry, Whilde, & Patton, 2005). Studies historically have
lesbian, gay, and bisexual clients. Recommendations for revealed psychotherapist prejudice and insensitivity in
graduate education include both individual courses and the working with lesbian, gay, and bisexual people (Garnets et
infusion of relevant information throughout the curriculum al., 1991; Liddle, 1996; Nystrom, 1997; Winegarten et al.,
(Biaggio, Orchard, Larson, Petrino, & Mihara, 2003; Phil- 1994). Although more recent research has indicated more
lips, 2000). positive attitudes toward lesbian, gay, and bisexual clients
Psychologists are encouraged to educate their students reported by therapists (Bieschke, McClanahan, Tozer,
about the nature and effects of heterosexual privilege (T. Grzegorek, & Park, 2007), Bieschke, Paul, and Blasko
Israel & Selvidge, 2003) and to challenge heterosexist bias (2007) noted that some of these improved attitudes appear
(Biaggio et al., 2003; Hancock, 2000; Simoni, 2000). Al- to be superficial and are not necessarily exhibited in the
though the provision of current information regarding les- behavior of therapists.
bian, gay, and bisexual issues is essential, a number of Application. According to T. Israel, Ketz, Det-
authors also strongly recommend personal exploration of rie, Burke, and Shulman (2003), a broad range of knowl-
attitudes and biases (e.g., T. Israel & Hackett, 2004; Mat- edge, attitudes, and skills is called for in order to work
thews, 2007; Phillips, 2000). Personal exploration of atti- effectively with lesbian, gay, and bisexual clients. Psychol-
tudes and biases in the education and training of psychol- ogists are urged to consider additional education, training,
ogists may ultimately assist students to evaluate themselves experience, consultation, and/or supervision in such areas
with greater honesty and accuracy and to provide more as (a) human sexuality and multidimensional models of
sensitive care to their lesbian, gay, bisexual, and question- sexual orientation; (b) mental health issues affecting les-
ing clients. Prior to teaching about attitudes toward lesbian, bian, gay, and bisexual individuals; (c) lesbian, gay, and
gay, and bisexual clients, instructors (regardless of their bisexual identity development in a heteronormative soci-
sexual orientations) are strongly advised to explore their ety, including ethnic and cultural factors affecting identity;
own attitudes (Biaggio et al., 2003; Simoni, 2000). (d) the effects of stigmatization upon lesbian, gay, and
Issues regarding institutional climate and support also bisexual individuals, couples, and families; (e) the inter-
have been discussed in recent literature. Biaggio et al. sections of multiple identities (e.g., sexual orientation, race
(2003) suggested prioritizing the affirmation of diversity and ethnicity, gender, class, disability); (f) unique career
throughout the institution; including sexual orientation in development and workplace issues experienced by lesbian,
university equal employment opportunity statements and gay, and bisexual individuals; (g) nontraditional relation-
admission and recruitment; considering diversity in promo- ship forms; (h) issues of religion and spirituality for les-
tion, tenure, and other personnel decisions; and providing bian, gay, and bisexual people; and (i) health and wellness

26 January 2012 ● American Psychologist


issues. Many psychologists might benefit from specific to maintain an awareness of subgroups within lesbian, gay,
training pertaining to the particular issues of bisexual cli- and bisexual communities who are not included in research
ents and affirmative psychotherapy with bisexual women samples (Greene, 2003) and to take their absence into
and men. Psychologists are encouraged to seek out lesbian, account when applying or discussing research findings.
gay, and bisexual affirmative continuing education courses, Psychologists are encouraged to exercise care when
as the content of such courses is likely to be compatible citing or quoting from the research findings published by
with existing APA guidelines and policies. Psychologists third parties. In much the same way that researchers strive
are further urged to seek continuing education courses that to specify the limitations of their own findings, psycholo-
provide specific information on working with bisexual cli- gists who cite others’ research are urged to present full and
ents and materials that address their particular issues in accurate descriptions of that research, including attending
treatment (e.g., Firestein, 2006; Fox, 2006; Matteson, to the limitations of the data. The APA Ethics Code (APA,
1999). 2002b) requires psychologists to avoid false or deceptive
Lesbian, gay, and bisexual individuals— especially statements (Standard 5.01) and accurately report their re-
those who are questioning or newly aware of their sexual search results (Standard 8.10).
orientation—sometimes have no knowledge of or access to The communication of findings from one’s own or
other lesbian, gay, and bisexual people or to a broader gay from a third party’s research to popular media outlets
community and the resources it might afford. Awareness of represents a particular challenge. Members of the media are
and access to community resources are important because typically not well schooled in the intricacies of research
research indicates that engagement in the lesbian, gay, and methods or the appropriate interpretation of research find-
bisexual community is associated with improved psycho- ings. This situation, in combination with media emphasis
logical functioning in these populations (e.g., D’Augelli & on dramatic story lines (Conrad, 1997), can result in mis-
Garnets, 1995; Garnets, Herek, & Levy, 1992; Kurdek, leading or explicitly inaccurate expositions of research.
1988; G. M. Russell & Richards, 2003). Psychologists are Psychologists strive to be aware of and to work proactively
encouraged to make reasonable efforts to familiarize them- to prevent the dissemination of inaccurate information
selves with relevant resources (national, state, local, and (APA, 2002b, Standard 5.01). Psychologists are encour-
electronic) in their work with lesbian, gay, and bisexual aged to offer clear explanations, to ask for confirmation
clients. A listing of suggested mental health, educational, that journalists understand information provided, to offer to
and community resources is provided in Appendix A. provide synopses of research studies or the actual research
reports, and to emphasize to journalists the complexity and
Research the limitations of research findings.
Guideline 21. In the use and dissemination REFERENCES
of research on sexual orientation and
related issues, psychologists strive to Abbott, D., & Burns, J. (2007). What’s love got to do with it? Experiences
represent results fully and accurately and to of lesbian, gay, and bisexual people with intellectual disabilities in the
be mindful of the potential misuse or United Kingdom and views of the staff who support them. Sexuality
Research and Social Policy, 4, 27–39. doi:10.1525/srsp.2007.4.1.27
misrepresentation of research findings. ACLU Lesbian and Gay Rights Project. (2002). Too high a price: The
case against restricting gay parenting. New York, NY: American Civil
Rationale. Just as bias can influence the conduct Liberties Union.
of research, it also can influence the interpretations of Adams, E. M., Cahill, B. J., & Ackerlind, S. J. (2005). A qualitative study
research by others and the uses to which research results of Latino lesbian and gay youths’ experiences with discrimination and
are put. Sound research findings about any stigmatized the career development process. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 66,
group represent an important contribution to the discipline 199 –218. doi:10.1016/j.jvb.2004.11.002
Adelman, M. (1990). Stigma, gay lifestyles, and adjustment to aging: A
of psychology and to society in general. However, research study of later-life gay men and lesbians. Journal of Homosexuality,
about lesbian, gay, and bisexual people has been misused 20(3– 4), 7–32.
and misrepresented to the detriment of lesbian, gay, and Albelda, R., Badgett, M. L., Schneebaum, A., & Gates, G. J. (2009).
bisexual individuals (Herek, 1998; Herek, Kimmel, Amaro, Poverty in the lesbian, gay, and bisexual community. Los Angeles, CA:
& Melton, 1991; G. M. Russell & Kelly, 2003). Williams Institute.
Allegretto, S. A., & Arthur, M. M. (2001). An empirical analysis of
Application. Psychologists strive to exercise homosexual/heterosexual male earnings differentials: Unmarried and
caution in their use of research on lesbian, gay, and bisex- unequal? Industrial and Labor Relations Review, 54, 631– 646. doi:
ual populations and to take into account the complexities 10.2307/2695994
and the limitations of the research (Cochran, 2001; Lau- Allen, M., & Burrell, N. (1996). Comparing the impact of homosexual and
heterosexual parents on children: Meta-analysis of existing research.
mann, Gagnon, Michael, & Michaels, 1994; Solarz, 1999). Journal of Homosexuality, 32(2), 19 –35. doi:10.1300/J082v32n02_02
In addition, psychologists strive to be aware of the potential Allison, K. W., Crawford, I., Echemendia, R., Robinson, L., & Knepp, D.
influence of overt and covert bias (Banaji & Hardin, 1996; (1994). Human diversity and professional competence: Training in
Banaji, Lemm, & Carpenter, 2001; Bargh & Chartrand, clinical and counseling psychology revisited. American Psychologist,
1999; Bargh & Williams, 2006; Herek, 1998; Herek et al., 49, 792–796. doi:10.1037/0003-066X.49.9.792
Allport, G. W. (1979). The nature of prejudice. Reading, MA: Addison-
1991) and to exercise care that their reports are thorough Wesley. (Original work published 1954)
and that any relevant limitations to their findings are fully American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy. (1991). AAMFT
disclosed and discussed. It is also useful for psychologists code of ethics. Washington, DC: Author.

January 2012 ● American Psychologist 27


American Counseling Association. (1996). ACA code of ethics and stan- Banaji, M. R., & Hardin, C. (1996). Automatic stereotyping. Psycholog-
dards of practice. In B. Herlihy & G. Corey (Eds.), ACA ethical ical Science, 7, 136 –141. doi:10.1111/j.1467-9280.1996.tb00346.x
standards casebook (5th ed., pp. 26 –59). Alexandria, VA: Author. Banaji, M. R., Lemm, K. M., & Carpenter, S. J. (2001). Automatic and
American Psychiatric Association. (1974). Position statement on homo- implicit processes in social cognition. In A. Tesser & N. Schwartz
sexuality and civil rights. American Journal of Psychiatry, 131, 497. (Eds.), Blackwell handbook of social psychology: Intraindividual pro-
American Psychological Association. (1992). Ethical principles of psy- cesses (pp. 134 –158). Oxford, England: Blackwell.
chologists and code of conduct. American Psychologist, 47, 1597– Bargh, J. A., & Chartrand, T. L. (1999). The unbearable automaticity of
1611. doi:10.1037/0003-066X.47.12.1597 being. American Psychologist, 54, 462– 479. doi:10.1037/0003-
American Psychological Association. (1995). Lesbian and gay parenting: 066X.54.7.462
A resource for psychologists. Retrieved from http://www.apa.org/pi/ Bargh, J. A., & Williams, E. L. (2006). The automaticity of social life.
lgbt/resources/parenting.aspx Current Directions in Psychological Science, 15, 1– 4. doi:10.1111/
American Psychological Association. (1998). Resolution on appropriate j.0963-7214.2006.00395.x
therapeutic responses to sexual orientation. American Psychologist, 53, Bass, E., & Kaufman, K. (1996). Free your mind. The book for gay,
934 –935. lesbian, and bisexual youth and their allies. New York, NY: Collins.
American Psychological Association. (2002a). Criteria for practice guide- Batchelor, S. A., Kitzinger, J., & Burtney, E. (2004). Representing young
line development and evaluation. American Psychologist, 57, 1048 – people’s sexuality in the “youth” media. Health Education Research,
1051. doi:10.1037/0003-066X.57.12.1048 19, 669 – 676. doi:10.1093/her/cyg082
American Psychological Association. (2002b). Ethical principles of psy- Baumgartner, L. M. (2007). The incorporation of the HIV/AIDS identity
chologists and code of conduct. American Psychologist, 57, 1060 – into the self over time. Qualitative Health Research, 17, 919 –931.
1073. doi:10.1037/0003-066X.57.12.1060 doi:10.1177/1049732307305881
American Psychological Association. (2006). Answers to your questions Beals, K. P. (2004). Stigma management and well-being: The role of
about transgender individuals and gender identity. Retrieved from social support, cognitive processing, and suppression. Dissertation Ab-
http://www.apa.org/topics/transgender.html stracts International: Section B. Sciences and Engineering, 65(2),
American Psychological Association. (2007). Guidelines for psychologi- 1070.
cal practice with girls and women. American Psychologist, 62, 949 – Beckstead, A. L. (2001). Cures versus choices: Agendas in sexual reori-
979. doi:10.1037/0003-066X.62.9.949 entation therapy. In A. Shidlo, N. Schroeder, & J. Drescher (Eds.),
American Psychological Association. (2008). Report of the APA Task Sexual conversion therapy: Ethical, clinical, and research perspectives
Force on Gender Identity and Gender Variance. Retrieved from http:// (pp. 87–115). New York, NY: Haworth Press.
www.apa.org/pi/lgbt/resources/policy/gender-identity-report.pdf Beckstead, L., & Israel, T. (2007). Affirmative counseling and psycho-
American Psychological Association. (2009a). Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and therapy focused on issues related to sexual orientation conflicts. In K. J.
transgender persons and socioeconomic status. Retrieved from http:// Bieschke, R. M. Perez, & K. A. DeBord (Eds.), Handbook of counsel-
www.apa.org/pi/ses/resources/publications/factsheet-lgbt.pdf ing and psychotherapy with lesbian, gay, bisexual, and trangender
American Psychological Association. (2009b). Report of the APA Task clients (2nd ed., pp. 221–244). Washington, DC: American Psycholog-
Force on Appropriate Therapeutic Responses to Sexual Orientation. ical Association.
Retrieved from http://www.apa.org/pi/lgbt/resources/therapeutic- Beckstead, A. L., & Morrow, S. L. (2004). Mormon clients’ experiences
response.pdf of conversion therapy: The need for a new treatment approach. Coun-
American Psychological Association, Task Force on the Sexualization of seling Psychologist, 32, 651– 690. doi:10.1177/0011000004267555
Girls. (2007). Report of the APA Task Force on the Sexualization of Ben-Ari, A., & Livni, T. (2006). Motherhood is not a given thing:
Girls. Retrieved from http://www.apa.or/pi/wpo/sexualization.html Experiences and constructed meaning of biological and nonbiological
Anderson, J. R., & Barret, B. (2001). Ethics in HIV-related psychother- lesbian mothers. Sex Roles, 54, 521–531. doi:10.1007/s11199-006-
apy. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association. 9016-0
Anderson, M. Z., Croteau, J. M., Chung, Y. B., & DiStefano, T. M. Benjamin, H. (1967). The transsexual phenomenon. Transactions of the
(2001). Developing an assessment of sexual identity management for New York Academy of Sciences, 29, 428 – 430.
lesbian and gay workers. Journal of Career Assessment, 9, 243–260. Benoit, M. (2005). Conflict between religious commitment and same-sex
doi:10.1177/106907270100900303 attraction: Possibilities for a virtuous response. Ethics & Behavior, 15,
Anderson, S. (1996). Addressing heterosexist bias in the treatment of 309 –325. doi:10.1207/s15327019eb1504_3
lesbian couples with chemical dependency. In J. Laird & R. J. Green Berg, C. J., Michelson, S. E., & Safren, S. A. (2007). Behavioral aspects
(Eds.), Lesbians and gays in couples and families: A handbook for of HIV care: Adherence, depression, substance use, and HIV-transmis-
therapists (pp. 316 –340). San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass. sion behaviors. Infectious Disease Clinics of North American, 21,
Anton, B. S. (2008). Proceedings of the American Psychological Associ- 181–200. doi:10.1016/j.idc.2007.01.005
ation for the legislative year 2007: Minutes of the annual meeting of the Berger, R. (1996). Gay and gray: The older homosexual man (2nd ed.).
Council of Representatives February 16 –18, 2007, Washington, DC, New York, NY: Harrington Park Press.
and August 9 and 13, 2007, San Francisco, CA, and minutes of the Berger, R., & Kelly, J. (1996). Gay men and lesbians grown older. In R.
February, June, August, and December 2007 meetings of the Board of Cabaj & T. Stein (Eds.), Textbook of homosexuality and mental health
Directors. American Psychologist, 63, 360 – 442. doi:10.1037/0003- (pp. 305–316). Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Press.
066X.63.5.360 Biaggio, M., Orchard, S., Larson, J., Petrino, K., & Mihara, R. (2003).
Appell, A. R. (2004). Recent developments in lesbian and gay adoption Guidelines for gay/lesbian/bisexual-affirmative educational practices in
law. Adoption Quarterly, 7, 73– 84. doi:10.1300/J145v07n01_06 graduate psychology programs. Professional Psychology: Research and
Armesto, J. C. (2002). Developmental and contextual factors that influ- Practice, 34, 548 –554. doi:10.1037/0735-7028.34.5.548
ence gay fathers’ parental competence: A review of the literature. Bieschke, K. J. (2008). We’ve come a long way, baby. Counseling
Psychology of Men & Masculinity, 3, 67–78. doi:10.1037/1524- Psychologist, 36, 631– 638. doi:10.1177/0011000008320077
9220.3.2.67 Bieschke, K. J., Hardy, J. A., Fassinger, R. E., & Croteau, J. M. (2008).
Badgett, M. V. L. (1995). The wage effects of sexual orientation discrim- Intersecting identities of gender-transgressive sexual minorities: To-
ination. Industrial and Labor Relations Review, 48, 726 –739. doi: ward a new paradigm of affirmative psychology. In B. Walsh (Ed.),
10.2307/2524353 Biennial review of counseling psychology (Vol. 1, pp. 177–207). New
Badgett, M. V. L. (2003). Money, myths, and change: The economic lives York, NY: Routledge/Taylor & Francis Group.
of lesbians and gay men. Chicago, IL: University of Chicago Press. Bieschke, K. J., McClanahan, M., Tozer, E., Grzegorek, J. L., & Park, J.
Badgett, M. V. L., Lau, H., Sears, B., & Ho, D. (2007). Bias in the (2007). Programmatic research on the treatment of lesbian, gay, and
workplace: Consistent evidence of sexual orientation and gender bisexual clients: The past, the present, and the course for the future. In
identity discrimination. Retrieved from http://www.law.ucla.edu/ K. J. Bieschke, R. M. Perez, & K. A. DeBord (Eds.), Handbook of
williamsinstitute/publications counseling and psychotherapy with lesbian, gay, bisexual, and trans-

28 January 2012 ● American Psychologist


gender clients (2nd ed., pp. 207–223). Washington, DC: American Journal of Couple & Relationship Therapy, 3(2–3), 43–52. doi:
Psychological Association. 10.1300/J398v03n02_05
Bieschke, K. J., Paul, P. L., & Blasko, K. A. (2007). Review of empirical Bradford, M. (2006). Affirmative psychotherapy with bisexual women.
research focused on the experience of lesbian, gay, and bisexual clients Journal of Bisexuality, 6(1–2), 13–25. doi:10.1300/J159v06n01_02
in counseling and psychotherapy. In K. J. Bieschke, R. M. Perez, & Brill, S., & Pepper, R. (2008). The transgender child: A handbook for
K. A. DeBord (Eds.), Handbook of counseling and psychotherapy with families and professionals. San Francisco, CA: Cleis Press.
lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender clients (2nd ed., pp. 293-315). Brooks, R. A., Etzel, M. A., Hinojos, E., Henry, C. L., & Perez, M. (2005).
Washington, DC: American Psychological Association. Preventing HIV among Latino and African American gay and bisexual
Bieschke, K. J., Perez, R. M., & DeBord, K. A. (Eds.). (2000). Handbook men in a context of HIV-related stigma, discrimination, and homopho-
of counseling and psychotherapy with lesbian, gay, and bisexual cli- bia: Perspectives of providers. AIDS Patient Care and STDs, 19,
ents. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association. 737–744. doi:10.1089/apc.2005.19.737
Bieschke, K. J., Perez, R. M., & DeBord, K. A. (2007). Introduction: The Brooks, R., Rotheram-Borus, M. J., Bing, B. G., Ayala, G., & Henry, C. L.
challenge of providing affirmative psychotherapy while honoring di- (2003). HIV and AIDS among men of color who have sex with men and
verse contexts. In K. J. Bieschke, R. M. Perez, & K. A. DeBord (Eds.), men of color who have sex with men and women: An epidemiologic
Handbook of counseling and psychotherapy with lesbian, gay, bisexual, profile. AIDS Education and Prevention, 15, 1– 6. doi:10.1521/
and transgender clients (2nd ed., pp. 3–11). Washington, DC: Ameri- aeap.15.1.5.1.23607
can Psychological Association. Brooks, V. R. (1981). Minority stress and lesbian women. Lexington,
Bigner, J. J., & Bozett, F. W. (1990). Parenting by gay fathers. In F. W. MA: Heath.
Bozett & M. B. Sussman (Eds.), Homosexuality and family relations Brooks, W. K. (1992). Research and the gay minority: Problems and
(pp. 155–176). New York, NY: Harrington Park Press. possibilities. In N. J. Woodman (Ed.), Lesbian and gay lifestyles: A
Bigner, J. J., & Jacobsen, R. B. (1989a). Parenting behaviors of guide for counseling and education (pp. 201–215). New York, NY:
homosexual and heterosexual fathers. In F. W. Bozett (Ed.), Homo- Irvington.
sexuality and the family (pp. 173–186). New York, NY: Harrington Brotman, S., Ryan, B., & Cormier, R. (2003). The health and social
Park Press. services needs of gay and lesbian elders and their families in Canada.
Bigner, J. J., & Jacobsen, R. B. (1989b). The value of children to gay and Gerontologist, 43, 192–202.
heterosexual fathers. In F. W. Bozett (Ed.), Homosexuality and family Brown, L. B. (Ed.). (1997). Two spirit people: American Indian lesbian
relations (pp. 163–172). New York, NY: Harrington Park Press. women and gay men (pp. 43– 65). Binghamton, NY: Haworth Press.
Bing, E. G., Burnam, M. A., Longshore, D., Fleishman, J. A., Sherbourne, Brown, L. S. (1989). Lesbians, gay men and their families: Common
C. D., London, A. S., . . . Shapiro, M. (2001). Psychiatric disorders and clinical issues. Journal of Gay & Lesbian Psychotherapy, 1(l), 65–77.
drug use among human immunodeficiency virus–infected adults in the Brown, M., & Rounsley, C. A. (1996). True selves: Understanding
United States. Archives of General Psychiatry, 58, 721–728. doi: transsexualism—For families, friends, coworkers, and helping profes-
10.1001/archpsyc.58.8.721 sionals. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.
Blevins, D., & Werth, J. L., Jr. (2006). End-of-life issues for LGBT older Browning, F. (1996). A queer geography: Journeys toward a sexual self.
adults. In D. Kimmel, T. Rose, & S. David (Eds.), Lesbian, gay, New York, NY: Random House.
bisexual, and transgender aging: Research and clinical perspectives Buchanan, M., Dzelme, K., Harris, D., & Hecker, L. (2001). Challenges
(pp. 206 –226). New York, NY: Columbia University Press. of being simultaneously gay or lesbian and spiritual and/or religious: A
Boden, R. (1992). Psychotherapy with physically disabled lesbians. In narrative perspective. American Journal of Family Therapy, 29, 435–
S. H. Dworkin & F. J. Gutierrez (Eds.), Counseling gay men and 449. doi:10.1080/01926180127629
lesbians: Journey to the end of the rainbow (pp. 157–174). Alexandria, Buhrke, R. (1989). Female student perspectives on training in lesbian and
VA: American Association for Counseling and Development Press. gay issues. Counseling Psychologist, 17, 629 – 636. doi:10.1177/
Bogart, L. M., Collins, R. L., Kanouse, D. E., Cunningham, W., Beckman, 0011000089174006
R., Golinelli, D., & Bird, C. E. (2006). Patterns and correlates of Buhrke, R. A., & Douce, L. G. (1991). Training issues for counseling
deliberate abstinence among men and women with HIV/AIDS. Amer- psychologists in working with lesbians and gay men. Counseling Psy-
ican Journal of Public Health, 96, 1078 –1084. doi:10.2105/ chologist, 19, 216 –234. doi:10.1177/0011000091192006
AJPH.2005.070771 Burckell, L. A., & Goldfried, M. R. (2006). Therapist qualities preferred
Bohan, J. S. (1996). Psychology and sexual orientation: Coming to terms. by sexual-minority individuals. Psychotherapy: Theory, Research,
New York, NY: Routledge. Practice, Training, 43, 32– 49. doi:10.1037/0033-3204.43.1.32
Borg, M. J. (2004). The heart of Christianity: Rediscovering a life of faith. Butt, J. A., & Guldner, C. A. (1993). Counseling bisexuals: Therapists’
San Francisco, CA: Harper. attitudes towards bisexuality and application in clinical practice. Ca-
Bos, H. M. W., van Balen, F., & van den Boom, D. C. (2003). Planned nadian Journal of Human Sexuality, 2(2), 61–70.
lesbian families: Their desire and motivation to have children. Human Buxton, A. P. (1994). The other side of the closet: The coming out crisis
Reproduction, 18, 2216 –2224. doi:10.1093/humrep/deg427 for straight spouses and families. New York, NY: Wiley.
Bos, H. M. W., van Balen, F., & van den Boom, D. C. (2005). Lesbian Buxton, A. P. (2004). Works in progress: How mixed-orientation couples
families and family functioning: An overview. Patient Education and maintain their marriages after the wives come out. Journal of Bisexu-
Counseling, 59, 263–275. doi:10.1016/j.pec.2004.10.006 ality, 4(1–2), 57– 82. doi:10.1300/J159v04n01_06
Bos, H. M. W., van Balen, F., & van den Boom, D. C. (2007). Child Buxton, A. P. (2005). A family matter: When a spouse comes out as gay,
adjustment and parenting in planned lesbian-parent families. American lesbian, or bisexual. Journal of GLBT Family Studies, 1(2), 49 –70.
Journal of Orthopsychiatry, 77, 38 – 48. doi:10.1037/0002-9432.77 doi:10.1300/J461v01n02_04
.1.38 Buxton, A. P. (2007). Counseling heterosexual spouses of bisexual or
Bourdon, K. H., Rae, D. S., Narrow, W. E., Manderschild, R. W., & transgender partners. In B. A. Firestein (Ed.), Becoming visible: Coun-
Regier, D. A. (1994). National prevalence and treatment of mental and seling bisexuals across the lifespan (pp. 395– 416). New York, NY:
addictive disorders. In R. W. Mandershild & A. Sonnenschein (Eds.), Columbia University Press.
Mental health: United States (pp. 22–51). Washington, DC: Center for Cabaj, R., & Klinger, R. (1996). Psychotherapeutic interventions with
Mental Health Services. lesbian and gay couples. In R. Cabaj & T. Stein (Eds.), Textbook of
Boysen, G. A., & Vogel, D. L. (2008). The relationship between level of homosexuality and mental health (pp. 485–502). Washington, DC:
training, implicit bias, and multicultural competency among counselor American Psychiatric Press.
trainees. Training and Education in Professional Psychology, 2, 103– Cabaj, R. P., & Stein, T. S. (1996). Textbook of homosexuality and mental
110. doi:10.1037/1931-3918.2.2.103 health. Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Press.
Bradford, M. (2004a). The bisexual experience: Living in a dichoto- Cahill, S., & South, K. (2002). Policy issues affecting lesbian, gay,
mous culture. Journal of Bisexuality, 4(1–2), 7–23. doi:10.1300/ bisexual, and transgender people in retirement. Generations, 26(2),
J159v04n01_02 49 –54.
Bradford, M. (2004b). Bisexual issues in same-sex couples therapy. Cahill, S., South, K., & Spade, J. (2000). Outing age: Public policy issues

January 2012 ● American Psychologist 29


affecting gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender elders. Washington, Cole, E. R. (2009). Intersectionality and research in psychology. American
DC: Public Policy Institute of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Psychologist, 64, 170 –180. doi:10.1037/a0014564
Foundation. Collins, J. F. (2007). Counseling at the intersection of identities: Asian/
Canadian Psychological Association. (1995). Canadian code of ethics for Pacific American bisexuals. In B. A. Firestein (Ed.), Becoming visible:
psychologists. Ottawa, Ontario, Canada: Author. Counseling bisexuals across the lifespan (pp. 229 –245). New York,
Cargill, V. A., & Stone, V. E. (2005). HIV/AIDS: A minority health issue. NY: Columbia University Press.
Medical Clinics of North America, 89, 895–912. doi:10.1016/j.m- Conger, J. J. (1975). Proceedings of the American Psychological Associ-
cna.2005.03.005 ation for the year 1974: Minutes of the annual meeting of the Council
Carlsson, G. (2007). Counseling the bisexual married man. In B. A. of Representatives. American Psychologist, 30, 620 – 651. doi:10.1037/
Firestein (Ed.), Becoming visible: Counseling bisexuals across the h0078455
lifespan (pp. 108 –126). New York, NY: Columbia University Press. Conrad, P. (1997). Public eyes and private genes: Historical frames, news
Carpenter, C. S. (2005). Self-reported sexual orientation and earnings: constructions, and social problems. Social Problems, 44, 139 –154.
Evidence from California. Industrial and Labor Relations Review, 58, doi:10.1525/sp.1997.44.2.03x0219k
258 –273. Conrey, F. R., Sherman, J. W., Gawronski, B., Hugenberg, K., & Groom,
Carroll, L. (2010). Counseling sexual and gender minorities. Upper Sad- C. J. (2005). Separating multiple processes in implicit social cognition:
dle River, NJ: Merrill. The quad model and implicit task performance. Journal of Personality
Carroll, L., & Gilroy, P. J. (2002). Transgender issues in counselor and Social Psychology, 89, 469 – 487. doi:10.1037/0022-3514.89.4.469
preparation. Counselor Education and Supervision, 41, 233–242. Cooperman, N. A., Arnsten, J. H., & Klein, R. S. (2007). Current sexual
Cass, V. C. (1979). Homosexual identity formation: A theoretical model. activity and risky sexual behavior in older men with or at risk for HIV
Journal of Homosexuality, 4(3), 219 –235. doi:10.1300/J082v04n03_01 infection. AIDS Education and Prevention, 19, 321–333. doi:10.1521/
Castillo, R. (1997). Culture and mental illness: A client-centered ap- aeap.2007.19.4.321
proach. Pacific Grove, CA: Brooks/Cole. Cooper-Nicols, M. (2007). Exploring the experiences of gay, lesbian, and
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2004). HIV/AIDS Surveil- bisexual adolescents in school: Lessons for school psychologists. Dis-
lance Report: Vol. 15.Cases of HIV Infection and AIDS in the United sertation Abstracts International: Section B. Sciences and Engineering,
States, 2003. Atlanta, GA: U.S. Department of Health and Human 67(7), 4131.
Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Corey, G., Schneider-Corey, M., & Callanan, P. (1993). Issues and ethics
in the helping professions (4th ed.). Belmont, CA: Brooks/Cole.
Cerbone, A. (1990, July). Coming out as a lifelong developmental issue:
Costello, E. J., Compton, S. N., Keeler, G., & Angold, A. (2003). Rela-
Erik Erikson rethought. Poster session presented at the meeting of the
tionships between poverty and psychopathology: A natural experiment.
American Psychological Association, Boston, MA.
JAMA, 290, 2023–2029. doi:10.1001/jama.290.15.2023
Chan, C. (1992). Asian-American lesbians and gay men. In S. Dworkin &
Coyle, A. (1993). A study of psychological well-being among gay men
F. Gutierrez (Eds.), Counseling gay men and lesbians: Journey to the
using the GHQ-30. British Journal of Clinical Psychology, 32, 218 –
end of the rainbow (pp. 115–124). Alexandria, VA: American Associ-
220.
ation for Counseling and Development.
Crisp, C., Wayland, S., & Gordon, T. (2008). Older gay, lesbian, and
Chan, C. (1995). Issues of sexual identity in an ethnic minority: The case bisexual adults: Tools for age-competent and gay affirmative practice.
of Chinese American lesbians, gay men, and bisexual people. In A. Journal of Gay & Lesbian Social Services, 20(1–2), 5–29.
D’Augelli & C. Patterson (Eds.), Lesbian, gay, and bisexual identities Crocker, J., & Major, B. (1989). Social stigma and self-esteem: The
over the lifespan: Psychological perspectives (pp. 87–101). New York, self-protective properties of stigma. Psychological Review, 96, 608 –
NY: Oxford University Press. 630. doi:10.1037/0033-295X.96.4.608
Chan, C. S. (1997). Don’t ask, don’t tell, don’t know: The formation of Croteau, J., & Bieschke, K. (1996). Beyond pioneering: An introduction
homosexual identity and sexual expression among Asian American to the special issue on the vocational issues of lesbian women and gay
lesbians. In B. Greene (Ed.), Psychological perspectives on lesbian and men. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 48, 119 –124. doi:10.1006/
gay issues: Vol. 3. Ethnic and cultural diversity among lesbians and jvbe.1996.0012
gay men (pp. 240 –248). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage. Croteau, J. M., Bieschke, K. J., Fassinger, R. E., & Manning, J. L. (2008).
Chung, Y. B. (2001). Work discrimination and coping strategies: Con- Counseling psychology and sexual orientation: History, selective
ceptual frameworks for counseling lesbian, gay, and bisexual clients. trends, and future directions. In S. D. Brown & R. W. Lent (Eds.),
Career Development Quarterly, 50, 33– 44. Handbook of counseling psychology (4th ed., pp. 194 –211). New York,
Chung, Y. B. (2003a). Career counseling with lesbian, gay, bisexual and NY: Wiley.
transgendered persons: The next decade. Career Development Quar- D’Augelli, A. (1991). Gay men in college: Identity processes and adap-
terly, 52, 78 – 85. tations. Journal of College Student Development, 32, 140 –146.
Chung, Y. B. (2003b). Ethical and professional issues in career assess- D’Augelli, A. R. (2002). Mental health problems among lesbian, gay, and
ment with lesbian, gay, and bisexual persons. Journal of Career As- bisexual youths ages 14 –21. Clinical Child Psychology and Psychiatry,
sessment, 11, 96 –112. doi:10.1177/106907202237462 7, 433– 456.
Clunis, D. M., & Green, G. D. (1988). Lesbian couples. Seattle, WA: Seal D’Augelli, A. R. (2006). Developmental and contextual factors and
Press. mental health among lesbian, gay, and bisexual youths. In A. M.
Cochran, S. D. (2001). Emerging issues in research on lesbians’ and gay Omoto & H. S. Kurtzman (Eds.), Sexual orientation and mental
men’s mental health: Does sexual orientation really matter? American health: Examining identity and development in lesbian, gay, and
Psychologist, 56, 931–947. doi:10.1037/0003-066X.56.11.931 bisexual people (pp. 37–53). Washington, DC: American Psycho-
Cochran, S. D., Mays, V. M., Alegria, M., Ortega, A. N., & Takeuchi, D. logical Association.
(2007). Mental health and substance use disorders among Latino and D’Augelli, A. R., & Garnets, L. (1995). Lesbian, gay, and bisexual
Asian American lesbian, gay, and bisexual adults. Journal of Consult- communities. In A. D’Augelli & C. Patterson (Eds.), Lesbian, gay,
ing and Clinical Psychology, 75, 785–794. doi:10.1037/0022- and bisexual identities over the lifespan: Psychological perspectives
006X.75.5.785 (pp. 293–320). New York, NY: Oxford University Press.
Cochran, S. D., Sullivan, J. G., & Mays, V. M. (2003). Prevalence of D’Augelli, A. R., & Hershberger, S. L. (1993). Lesbian, gay, and bisexual
mental disorders, psychological distress, and mental services use youth in community settings: Personal challenges and mental health
among lesbian, gay, and bisexual adults in the United States. Journal of problems. American Journal of Community Psychology, 21, 421– 448.
Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 71, 53– 61. doi:10.1037/0022- doi:10.1007/BF00942151
006X.71.1.53 D’Augelli, A. R., Hershberger, S. L., & Pilkington, N. W. (1998). Les-
Cohen, M., Deamant, C., Barkan, S., Richardson, J., Young, M., Holman, bian, gay, and bisexual youth and their families: Disclosure of sexual
S., . . . Melnick, S. (2000). Domestic violence and childhood sexual orienation and its consequences. American Journal of Orthopsychiatry,
abuse in HIV-infected women and women at risk for HIV. American 68, 361–371. doi:10.1037/h0080345
Journal of Public Health, 90, 560 –565. doi:10.2105/AJPH.90.4.560 D’Augelli, A. R., Collins, C., & Hart, M. M. (1987). Social support

30 January 2012 ● American Psychologist


patterns in a rural network of lesbian women. Journal of Rural Com- ible. In B. Greene (Ed.), Psychological perspectives on lesbian and gay
munity Psychology, 8, 12–22. issues: Vol. 3. Ethnic and cultural diversity among lesbians and gay
D’Augelli, A. R., Pilkington, N. W., & Hershberger, S. L. (2002). Inci- men (pp. 63– 87). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
dence and mental health impact of sexual orientation victimization of Dworkin, S. H. (2000). Individual therapy with lesbians, gays, and bisex-
lesbian, gay, and bisexual youths in high school. School Psychology uals. In R. M. Perez, K. A. DeBord, & K. J. Bieschke (Eds.), Handbook
Quarterly, 17, 148 –167. doi:10.1521/scpq.17.2.148.20854 of counseling and therapy with lesbians, gays, and bisexuals (pp.
David, S., & Knight, B. G. (2008). Stress and coping among older adult 157–181). Washington, DC: American Psychological Association
gay men: Age and ethnic differences. Psychology and Aging, 23, Press.
62– 69. doi:10.1037/0882-7974.23.1.62 Dworkin, S. H. (2001). Treating the bisexual client. Journal of Clinical
Davidson, M. G. (2000). Religion and spirituality. In R. M. Perez, K. A. Psychology, 57, 671– 680. doi:10.1002/jclp.1036
DeBord, & K. J. Bieschke (Eds.), Handbook of counseling and psy- Dworkin, S. H. (2002). Biracial, bicultural, bisexual: Bisexuality and
chotherapy with lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender clients (pp. multiple identities. Journal of Bisexuality, 2(4), 93–107. doi:10.1300/
409 – 433). Washington, DC: American Psychological Association. J159v02n04_06
Deaux, K., & Lewis, L. L. (1984). The structure of gender stereotypes: Dworkin, S. H. (2006). Aging bisexual: The invisible of the invisible
Interrelationships among components and gender label. Journal of minority. In D. Kimmel, T. Rose, & S. David (Eds.), Lesbian, gay,
Personality and Social Psychology, 46, 991–1004. doi:10.1037/0022- bisexual, and transgender aging: Research and clinical perspectives
3514.46.5.991 (pp. 36 –52). New York, NY: Columbia University Press.
Devine, P. G. (1989). Stereotypes and prejudice: Their automatic and Egan, P. J., Edelman, M. S., & Sherrill, K. (2008). Findings from the
controlled components. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, Hunter College Poll of lesbians, gays, and bisexuals: New discoveries
56, 5–18. doi:10.1037/0022-3514.56.1.5 about identity, political attitudes, and civic engagement. Retrieved from
Devine, P. G., Plant, E. A., Amodio, D. M., Harmon-Jones, E., & Vance, http://www.hrc.org//documents/Hunter_college_report.pdf
S. L. (2002). The regulation of explicit and implicit race bias: The role Eliason, M. (2001). Bi-negativity: The stigma facing bisexual men. Jour-
of motivations to respond without prejudice. Journal of Personality and nal of Bisexuality, 1(2–3), 137–154. doi:10.1300/J159v01n02_05
Social Psychology, 82, 835– 848. doi:10.1037/0022-3514.82.5.835 Elmslie, B., & Tebaldi, E. (2007). Sexual orientation and labor market
Dews, C. L. B., & Law, C. L. (2004). This fine place so far from home: discrimination. Journal of Labor Research, 28, 436 – 453. doi:10.1007/
Voices of academics from the working class. Philadelphia, PA: Temple s12122-007-9006-1
University Press. Entrup, L., & Firestein, B. A. (2007). Developmental and spiritual issues
Diamond, L. M. (2007). A dynamical systems approach to the develop- of young people and bisexuals of the next generation. In B. A. Firestein
ment and expression of female same-sex sexuality. Perspectives on (Ed.), Becoming visible: Counseling bisexuals across the lifespan (pp.
Psychological Science, 2, 142–161. doi:10.1111/j.1745-6916.2007 89 –107). New York, NY: Columbia University Press.
.00034.x Erich, S., Leung, P., & Kindle, P. (2005). A comparative analysis in
Dı́az, R. M., Ayala, G., Bein, E., Henne, J., & Marin, B. V. (2001). The adoptive family functioning with gay, lesbian, and heterosexual parents
impact of homophobia, poverty, and racism on the mental health of gay and their children. Journal of GLBT Family Studies, 1, 43– 60. doi:
and bisexual Latino men: Findings from 3 US cities. American Journal 10.1300/J461v01n04_03
of Public Health, 91, 927–932. doi:10.2105/AJPH.91.6.927 Espelage, D. L., Aragon, S. R., Birkett, M., & Koenig, B. W. (2008).
Dı́az, R. M., Bein, E., & Ayala, G. (2006). Homophobia, poverty, and Homophobic teasing, psychological outcomes, and sexual orientation
racism: Triple oppression and mental health outcomes in Latino gay among high school students: What influence do parents and school
men. In A. M. Omoto & H. S. Kurtzman (Eds.), Sexual orientation and have? School Psychology Review, 37, 202–216.
mental health: Examining identity and development in lesbian, gay, and Espin, O. M. (1993). Issues of identity in the psychology of Latina
bisexual people (pp. 207–224). Washington, DC: American Psycholog- lesbians. In L. D. Garnets & D. C. Kimmel (Eds.), Psychological
ical Association. perspectives on lesbian and gay male experiences (pp. 348 –363). New
Dickens, J., & McKellen, I. (1996). Family outing: Guide for parents York, NY: Columbia University Press.
of gay, lesbian, and bisexual people. London, England: Dufour Espin, O. M. (1999). Women crossing boundaries: A psychology of
Editions. immigration and transformations of sexuality. New York, NY: Rout-
DiPlacido, J. (1998). Minority stress among lesbians, gay men, and ledge.
bisexuals: A consequence of heterosexism, homophobia, and stigmati- Esterberg, K. (1996). Gay cultures, gay communities: The social organi-
zation. In G. Herek (Ed.), Psychological perspectives on lesbian and zation of lesbians, gay men, and bisexuals. In R. Savin-Williams & K.
gay issues: Vol. 4. Stigma and sexual orientation: Understanding Cohen (Eds.), The lives of lesbians, gays, and bisexuals: Children to
prejudice against lesbians, gay men, and bisexuals (pp. 138 –159). adults (pp. 337–392). Fort Worth, TX: Harcourt Brace.
Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage. Evans, T. (2003). Bisexuality: Negotiating lives between two cultures.
Division 44/Committee on Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Concerns Joint Journal of Bisexuality, 3(2), 91–108. doi:10.1300/J159v03n02_06
Task Force on Guidelines for Psychotherapy with Lesbian, Gay, and Factor, R. J., & Rothblum, E. D. (2007). A study of transgender adults and
Bisexual Clients. (2000). Guidelines for psychotherapy with lesbian, their non-transgender siblings on demographic characteristics, social
gay, and bisexual clients. American Psychologist, 55, 1440 –1451. support, and experiences of violence. Journal of LGBT Health Re-
Dodge, B., & Sandfort, T. G. M. (2007). A review of mental health search, 3, 11–30.
research on bisexual individuals when compared to homosexual and Fassinger, R. (1995). From invisibility to integration: Lesbian identity in
heterosexual individuals. In B. A. Firestein (Ed.), Becoming visible: the workplace. Career Development Quarterly, 44, 148 –167.
Counseling bisexual across the lifespan (pp. 28 –51). New York, NY: Fassinger, R. (1997). Issues in group work with older lesbians. Group, 21,
Columbia University Press. 191–210. doi:10.1007/BF02872746
Drescher, J. (2001). I’m your handyman: A history of reparative therapies. Fassinger, R. (2007, September). Sexual orientation and gender identity.
Journal of Gay & Lesbian Psychotherapy, 5(3/4), 5–24. doi:10.1300/ Poster session presented at the governance meeting of the American
J236v05n03_02 Psychological Association, Washington, DC.
DuBois, M. (2006). Legal concerns of LGBT elders. In D. Kimmel, T. Fassinger, R. E. (2008). Workplace diversity and public policy: Chal-
Rose, & S. David (Eds.), Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender lenges and opportunities for psychology. American Psychologist, 63,
aging: Research and clinical perspectives (pp. 195–205). New York, 252–268. doi:10.1037/0003-066X.63.4.252
NY: Columbia University Press. Fassinger, R. E., & Arseneau, J. R. (2007). “I’d rather get wet than be
Dworkin, S. H. (1992). Some ethical considerations when counseling gay, under that umbrella”: Differentiating the experiences and identities of
lesbian, and bisexual clients. In S. Dworkin & F. Gutierrez (Eds.), lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people. In K. J. Bieschke, R. M.
Counseling gay men and lesbians: Journey to the end of the rainbow Perez, & K. A. DeBord (Eds.), Handbook of counseling and psycho-
(pp. 325–334). Alexandria, VA: American Association for Counseling therapy with lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender clients (2nd ed.,
and Development. pp. 19 – 49). Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.
Dworkin, S. H. (1997). Female, lesbian, and Jewish: Complex and invis- Ferrer, L., & Gómez, L. A. J. (2007). Counseling bisexual Latinos: A

January 2012 ● American Psychologist 31


minority with a minority. In B. A. Firestein (Ed.), Becoming visible: Garnets, L. D., & Kimmel, D. C. (2003). Diversity among lesbians,
Counseling bisexuals across the lifespan (pp. 246 –267). New York, bisexuals, and gay men. In L. D. Garnets & D. C. Kimmel (Eds.),
NY: Columbia University Press. Psychological perspectives on lesbian and gay male experiences (2nd
Fine, M., & Asch, A. (Eds.). (1988). Beyond pedestals. Women with ed., pp. 349 –355). New York, NY: Columbia University Press.
disabilities: Essays in psychology, culture, and politics. Philadelphia, Gartrell, N., Deck, A., Rodas, C., Peyser, H., & Banks, A. (2005). The
PA: Temple University Press. National Lesbian Family Study: 4. Interviews with the 10-year-old
Firestein, B. (1996). Bisexuality as a paradigm shift: Transforming our children. American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, 75, 518 –524. doi:
disciplines. In B. A. Firestein (Ed.), Bisexuality: The psychology and 10.1037/0002-9432.75.4.518
politics of an invisible minority (pp. 263–291). Thousand Oaks, CA: Gates, G. J., & Ost, J. (2004). Gay and lesbian atlas. Washington, DC:
Sage. Urban Institute Press.
Firestein, B. (2006). Cultural and relational contexts of bisexual women: Gifford, D., Hertz, F., & Doskow, E. (2010). A legal guide for lesbian and
Implications for therapy. In K. J. Bieschke, R. M. Perez, & K. A. gay couples. Berkeley, CA: Nolo.
DeBord (Eds.), Handbook of counseling and psychotherapy with les- Gilman, S. E., Cochran, S. D., Mays, V. M., Hughes, M., Ostrow, D., &
bian, gay, bisexual, and transgender clients (2nd ed., pp. 91–117). Kessler, R. C. (2001). Risk of psychiatric disorders among individuals
Washington, DC: American Psychological Association. reporting same-sex sexual partners in the National Comorbidity Survey.
Firestein, B. (2007). Cultural and relational contexts of bisexual women: American Journal of Public Health, 91, 933–939. doi:10.2105/
Implications for therapy. In B. A. Firestein (Ed.), Becoming visible: AJPH.91.6.933
Counseling bisexuals across the lifespan (pp. 127–152). New York, Gingold, H. G., Hancock, K. A., & Cerbone, A. R. (2006). A word about
NY: Columbia University Press. words: Stigma, sexual orientation/identity, and the “heterosexist de-
Fischer, A. R., & DeBord, K. A. (2007). Perceived conflicts between fault.” NYSPA Notebook, 18, 20 –24.
affirmation of religious diversity and affirmation of sexual diversity: Glaus, K. O. (1989). Alcoholism, chemical dependency and the lesbian
That’s perceived. In K. J. Bieschke, R. M. Perez, & K. A. DeBord client. Women & Therapy, 8, 131–144. doi:10.1300/J015v08n01_11
(Eds.), Handbook of counseling and psychotherapy with lesbian, gay, Glenn, A., & Russell, R. (1986). Heterosexual bias among counselor
bisexual, and transgender clients (2nd ed., pp. 317–339). Washington, trainees. Counselor Education and Supervision, 25, 222–229.
DC: American Psychological Association. Gock, T. S. (2001). Asian-Pacific Islander issues: Identity integration and
Fish, L. S., & Harvey, R. G. (2005). Nurturing queer youth: Family pride. In B. Berzon (Ed.), Positively gay: New approaches and gay and
therapy transformed. New York, NY: Norton. lesbian life (3rd ed., pp. 334 –341). Berkeley, CA: Celestial Arts.
Flaks, D. K., Ficher, I., Masterpasqua, F., & Joseph, G. (1995). Lesbians Goetstouwers, L. (2006). Affirmative psychotherapy with bisexual men.
choosing motherhood: A comparative study of lesbian and heterosexual Journal of Bisexuality, 6(1–2), 27– 49.
parents and their children. Developmental Psychology, 31, 105–114. Golden, C. (1987). Diversity and variability in women’s sexual identities.
doi:10.1037/0012-1649.31.1.105 In Boston Lesbian Psychologies Collective (Eds.), Lesbian psycholo-
Fontes, L. A. (2008). Interviewing clients across cultures: A practitioner’s gies: Explorations and challenges (pp. 18 –34). Urbana: University of
guide. New York, NY: Guilford Press. Illinois Press.
Ford, V. E. (2003). Coming out as lesbian or gay: A potential precipitant Gonsiorek, J. (1991). The empirical basis for the demise of the illness
of crisis in adolescence. Journal of Human Behavior in the Social model of homosexuality. In J. Gonsiorek & J. Weinrich (Eds.), Homo-
Environment, 8(2–3), 93–110. doi:10.1300/J137v08n02_06 sexuality: Research implications for public policy (pp. 115–136). New-
Fox, R. (1996). Bisexuality in perspective: A review of theory and bury Park, CA: Sage.
research. In B. A. Firestein (Ed.), Bisexuality: The psychology and Gonsiorek, J. (1993). Mental health issues of gay and lesbian adolescents.
politics of an invisible minority (pp. 3–50). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage. In L. Garnets & D. Kimmel (Eds.), Psychological perspectives on
Fox, R. (2006). Affirmative psychotherapy with bisexual women and lesbian and gay male experiences (pp. 469 – 485). New York, NY:
bisexual men: An introduction. Journal of Bisexuality, 6(1–2), 1–11. Columbia University Press.
doi:10.1300/J159v06n01_01 Gottlieb, M. S., Schroff, R., Schanker, H. M., Weisman, J. D., Fan, P. T.,
Fraley, S. S., Mona, L. R., & Theodore, P. S. (2007). The sexual lives of Wolf, R. A., & Saxon, A. (1981). Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia and
lesbian, gay, and bisexual people with disabilities: Psychological per- mucosal candidiasis in previously healthy homosexual men: Evidence
spectives. Sexuality Research and Social Policy, 4, 15–26. doi:10.1525/ of a new acquired cellular immunodeficiency. New England Journal of
srsp.2007.4.1.15 Medicine, 305, 1425–1431. doi:10.1056/NEJM198112103052401
Friend, R. A. (1990). Older lesbian and gay people: A theory of successful Graham, D., Rawlings, E., Halpern, H., & Hermes, J. (1984). Therapists’
aging. Journal of Homosexuality, 20(3– 4), 99 –118. needs for training in counseling lesbians and gay men. Professional
Frost, J. (1997). Group psychotherapy with the gay male: Treatment of Psychology: Research and Practice, 15, 482– 496. doi:10.1037/0735-
choice. Group, 21, 267–285. doi:10.1007/BF02872774 7028.15.4.482
Fygetakis, L. M. (1997). Greek American lesbians: Identity odysseys of Green, J., & Brinkin, L. (1994). Investigations into discrimination against
honorable good girls. In B. Greene (Ed.), Psychological perspectives on transgender people. San Francisco, CA: San Francisco Human Rights
lesbian and gay issues: Vol. 3, Ethnic and cultural diversity among Commission.
lesbians and gay men (pp. 152–190). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage. Green, R. J. (2004). Risk and resilience in lesbian and gay couples:
Gainor, K. A. (2000). Including transgender issues in lesbian, gay, and Comment on Solomon, Rothblum, and Balsam (2004). Journal of
bisexual psychology: Implications for clinical practice and training. In Family Psychology, 18, 290 –292. doi:10.1037/0893-3200.18.2.290
B. Greene & G. L. Croom (Eds.), Psychological perspectives on lesbian Green, R. J., & Mitchell, V. (2002). Gay and lesbian couples in therapy:
and gay issues: Vol. 5. Education, research, and practice in lesbian, Homophobia, relationship ambiguity, and social support. In A. S.
gay, bisexual, and transgendered psychology: A resource manual (pp. Gurman & N. S. Jacobson (Eds.), Clinical handbook of couple therapy
131–160). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage. (pp. 546 –568). New York, NY: Guilford Press.
Garnets, L., Hancock, K., Cochran, S., Goodchilds, J., & Peplau, L. Greenan, D. E., & Tunnell, G. (2003). Couple therapy with gay men. New
(1991). Issues in psychotherapy with lesbians and gay men: A survey of York, NY: Guilford Press.
psychologists. American Psychologist, 46, 964 –972. doi:10.1037/0003- Greene, B. (1994a). Ethnic minority lesbians and gay men: Mental health
066X.46.9.964 and treatment issues. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology,
Garnets, L., Herek, G. M., & Levy, B. (1992). Violence and victimization 62, 243–251. doi:10.1037/0022-006X.62.2.243
of lesbians and gay men: Mental health consequences. In G. M. Herek Greene, B. (1994b). Lesbian and gay sexual orientations: Implications for
& K. T. Berrill (Eds.), Hate crimes: Confronting prejudice against clinical training, practice, and research. In B. Greene & G. Herek
lesbians and gay men (pp. 207–226). Newbury Park, CA: Sage. (Eds.), Psychological perspectives on lesbian and gay issues: Vol. 1.
Garnets, L., & Kimmel, D. (1993). Lesbian and gay male dimensions in Lesbian and gay psychology: Theory, research, and clinical applica-
the psychological study of human diversity. In L. Garnets & D. Kimmel tions (pp. 1–24). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
(Eds.), Psychological perspectives on lesbian and gay male experiences Greene, B. (1994c). Lesbian women of color: Triple jeopardy. In L.
(pp. 1–51). New York, NY: Columbia University Press. Comas-Diaz & B. Greene (Eds.), Women of color: Integrating ethnic

32 January 2012 ● American Psychologist


and gender identities in psychotherapy (pp. 389 – 427). New York, NY: spective on mental health. Journal of Gay & Lesbian Social Services,
Guilford Press. 17(2), 25– 41. doi:10.1300/J041v17n02_02
Greene, B. (1997). Ethnic minority lesbians and gay men: Mental health Harper, G. W., & Schneider, M. (2003). Oppression and discrimination
and treatment issues. In B. Greene (Ed.), Psychological perspectives on among lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgendered people and commu-
lesbian and gay issues: Vol. 3. Ethnic and cultural diversity among nities: A challenge for community psychology. American Journal of
lesbians and gay men (pp. 216 –239). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage. Community Psychology, 31, 243–252. doi:10.1023/A:1023906620085
Greene, B. (2000). African American lesbian and bisexual women. Jour- Harris, J. I., Cook, S. W., & Kashubek-West, S. (2008). Religious atti-
nal of Social Issues, 56, 239 –249. doi:10.1111/0022-4537.00163 tudes, internalized homophobia, and identity in gay and lesbian adults.
Greene, B. (2003). Beyond heterosexism and across the cultural divide: Journal of Gay & Lesbian Mental Health, 12, 205–225. doi:10.1080/
Developing an inclusive lesbian, gay, and bisexual psychology: A look 19359700802111452
to the future. In L. D. Garnets & D. C. Kimmel (Eds.), Psychological Hayes, B. G., & Hagedorn, W. B. (2001). Working with the bisexual
perspectives on lesbian and gay male experience (2nd ed., pp. 357– client: How far have we progressed? Journal of Humanistic Counseling
400). New York, NY: Columbia University Press. Education and Development, 40(1), 11–21.
Greene, B. (2007). Delivering ethical psychological services to lesbian, Heatherington, L., & Lavner, J. (2008). Coming to terms with coming out:
gay, and bisexual clients. In K. J. Bieschke, R. M. Perez, & K. A. Review and recommendations for family systems-focused research.
DeBord (Eds.), Handbook of counseling and psychotherapy with les- Journal of Family Psychology, 22, 329 –343. doi:10.1037/0893-
bian, gay, bisexual, and transgender clients (2nd ed., pp. 181–199). 3200.22.3.329
Washington, DC: American Psychological Association. Helgeson, V. S. (1994). Prototypes and dimensions of masculinity and
Greene, B., & Croom, G. (Eds.). (2000). Psychological perspectives on femininity. Sex Roles, 31, 653– 682. doi:10.1007/BF01544286
lesbian and gay issues: Vol. 5. Education, research, and practice in Helminiak, D. A. (2000). What the Bible really says about homosexuality.
lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgendered psychology: A resource man- Estancia, NM: Alamo Square Press.
ual. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage. Herek, G. M. (1986). On heterosexual masculinity: Some psychical con-
Greenwald, A. G., & Banaji, M. R. (1995). Implicit social cognition: sequences of the social construction of gender and sexuality. American
Attitudes, self-esteem, and stereotypes. Psychological Review, 102, Behavioral Scientist, 29, 563–577.
4 –27. doi:10.1037/0033-295X.102.1.4 Herek, G. M. (1990a). The context of antigay violence: Notes on cultural
Greenwood, G. L., Relf, M. V., Huang, B., Pollack, L. M., Canchola, and psychological heterosexism. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 5,
J. A., & Catania, J. A. (2002). Battering victimization among a prob- 316 –333. doi:10.1177/088626090005003006
ability-based sample of men who have sex with men. American Journal Herek, G. M. (1990b). Gay people and government security clearance: A
of Public Health, 92, 1964 –1969. doi:10.2105/AJPH.92.12.1964 social perspective. American Psychologist, 45, 1035–1042. doi:
Griffin, C. W., Wirth, M. J., & Wirth, A. G. (1996). Beyond acceptance: 10.1037/0003-066X.45.9.1035
Parents of lesbians and gays talk about their experiences. New York, Herek, G. M. (1991a). Myths about sexual orientation: A lawyer’s guide
NY: St. Martin’s Press. to social science research. Law & Sexuality, 1, 133–172.
Herek, G. M. (1991b). Stigma, prejudice, and violence against lesbians
Grov, C., Golub, S. A., Parsons, J. T., Brennan, M., & Karpiak, S. E.
and gay men. In J. Gonsiorek & J. Weinrich (Eds.), Homosexuality:
(2010). Loneliness and HIV-related stigma explain depression among
Research implications for public policy (pp. 60 – 80). Newbury Park,
older HIV-positive adults. AIDS Care, 22, 630 – 639. doi:10.1080/
CA: Sage.
09540120903280901
Herek, G. M. (1995). Psychological heterosexism in the United States. In
Haldeman, D. C. (1994). The practice and ethics of sexual orientation
A. D’Augelli & C. Patterson (Eds.), Lesbian, gay, and bisexual iden-
conversion therapy. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 62,
tities over the lifespan: Psychological perspectives (pp. 321–346). New
221–227. doi:10.1037/0022-006X.62.2.221
York, NY: Oxford University Press.
Haldeman, D. C. (1996). Spirituality and religion in the lives of lesbians Herek, G. M. (1998). Bad science in the service of stigma: A critique of
and gay men. In R. P. Cabaj & T. S. Stein (Eds.), Textbook of the Cameron group’s survey studies. In G. M. Herek (Ed.), Stigma and
homosexuality and mental health (pp. 881– 896). Washington, DC: sexual orientation: Understanding prejudice against lesbians, gay men,
American Psychiatric Press. and bisexuals (pp. 223–255). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
Haldeman, D. C. (2001). Therapeutic antidotes: Helping gay and bisexual Herek, G. M. (1999). AIDS and stigma. American Behavioral Scientist,
men recover from conversion therapies. In A. Shidlo, N. Schroeder, & 42, 1106 –1116. doi: 10.1177/0002764299042007004
J. Drescher (Eds.), Sexual conversion therapy: Ethical, clinical, and Herek, G. M. (2002). Heterosexuals’ attitudes toward bisexual men and
research perspectives (pp. 117–130). New York, NY: Haworth Press. women in the United States. Journal of Sex Research, 39, 264 –274.
Haldeman, D. C. (2002). Gay rights, patient rights: The implications of doi:10.1080/00224490209552150
sexual orientation conversion therapy. Professional Psychology: Re- Herek, G. M. (2003). Why tell if you’re not asked? Self-disclosure,
search and Practice, 33, 260 –264. doi:10.1037/0735-7028.33.3.260 intergroup contact, and heterosexuals’ attitudes towards lesbians and
Haldeman, D. C. (2004). When sexual and religious orientations collide: gay men. In L. D. Garnets & D. C. Kimmel (Eds.), Psychological
Considerations in working with conflicted same-sex attracted male perspectives on lesbian, gay, and bisexual experiences (2nd ed., pp.
clients. Counseling Psychologist, 32, 691–715. doi:10.1177/ 270 –298). New York, NY: Columbia University Press.
0011000004267560 Herek, G. M. (2006). Legal recognition of same-sex relationships in the
Halpert, S. C., Reinhardt, B., & Toohey, M. J. (2007). Affirmative clinical United States. American Psychologist, 61, 607– 621. doi:10.1037/0003-
supervision. In K. J. Bieschke, R. M. Perez, & K. A. DeBord (Eds.), 066X.61.6.607
Handbook of counseling and psychotherapy with lesbian, gay, bisexual, Herek, G. M. (2007). Confronting sexual stigma and prejudice: Theory
and transgender clients (2nd ed., pp. 341–358). Washington, DC: and practice. Journal of Social Issues, 63, 905–925. doi:10.1111/
American Psychological Association. j.1540-4560.2007.00544.x
Hancock, K. A. (1995). Psychotherapy with lesbians and gay men. In A. Herek, G. M. (2009). Hate crimes and stigma-related experiences among
D’Augelli & C. Patterson (Eds.), Lesbian, gay, and bisexual identities sexual minority adults in the United States: Prevalence estimates from
over the lifespan: Psychological perspectives (pp. 398 – 432). New a national probability sample. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 24,
York, NY: Oxford University Press. 54 –74. doi:10.1177/0886260508316477
Hancock, K. A. (2000). Lesbian, gay, and bisexual lives: Basic issues in Herek, G. M., Capitanio, J. P., & Widaman, K. F. (2002). HIV-related
psychotherapy training and practice. In B. Greene & G. L. Croom stigma and knowledge in the United States: Prevalence and trends,
(Eds.), Psychological perspectives on lesbian and gay issues: Vol. 5. 1991–1999. American Journal of Public Health, 92, 371–377. doi:
Education, research, and practice in lesbian, gay, bisexual, and trans- 10.2105/AJPH.92.3.371
gendered psychology: A resource manual (pp. 91–130). Thousand Herek, G. M., & Garnets, L. D. (2007). Sexual orientation and mental
Oaks, CA: Sage. health. Annual Review of Clinical Psychology, 3, 353–375. doi:
Hanjorgiris, W. F., Rath, J. F., & O’Neill, J. H. (2004). Gay men living 10.1146/annurev.clinpsy.3.022806.091510
with chronic illness or disability: A sociocultural, minority group per- Herek, G. M., Gillis, J., & Cogan, J. (1999). Psychological sequelae of

January 2012 ● American Psychologist 33


hate crime victimization among lesbian, gay, and bisexual adults. Keefer, B., & Reene, K. (2002). Female adolescence: Difficult for het-
Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 67, 945–951. doi: erosexual girls, hazardous for lesbians. Annual of Psychoanalysis, 30,
10.1037/0022-006X.67.6.945 245–252.
Herek, G. M., Gillis, J. R., & Cogan, J. C. (2009). Internalized stigma Keeton, M. D. (2002). Perceptions of career-related barriers among gay,
among sexual minority adults: Insights from a social psychological lesbian, and bisexual individuals. Dissertation Abstracts International:
perspective. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 56, 32– 43. doi: Section B. Sciences and Engineering, 63(2), 1075.
10.1037/a0014672 Keppel, B., & Firestein, B. (2007). Bisexual inclusion in addressing issues
Herek, G. M., Kimmel, D. C., Amaro, H., & Melton, G. B. (1991). of GLBT aging: Therapy with older bisexual women and men. In B. A.
Avoiding heterosexist bias in psychological research. American Psy- Firestein (Ed.), Becoming visible: Counseling bisexuals across the
chologist, 46, 957–963. doi:10.1037/0003-066X.46.9.957 lifespan (pp. 164 –185). New York, NY: Columbia University Press.
Hershberger, S., & D’Augelli, A. (1995). The impact of victimization on Kertzner, R. M., Meyer, I. H., Frost, D. M., & Stirratt, M. J. (2009). Social
the mental health and suicidality of lesbian, gay, and bisexual youths. and psychological well-being in lesbians, gay men, and bisexuals: The
Developmental Psychology, 31, 65–74. doi:10.1037/0012-1649.31.1.65 effects of race, gender, age, and sexual identity. American Journal of
Hooker, E. (1957). The adjustment of the male overt homosexual. Journal Orthopsychiatry, 79, 500 –510. doi:10.1037/a0016848
of Projective Techniques, 21, 18 –31. Kessler, R. C., Michelson, K. D., & Williams, D. R. (1999). The preva-
Horn, S. S. (2007). Adolescents’ acceptance of same-sex peers based on lence, distribution, and mental health correlates of perceived discrimi-
sexual orientation and gender expression. Journal of Youth and Ado- nation in the United States. Journal of Health and Social Behavior, 40,
lescence, 36, 363–371. doi:10.1007/s10964-006-9111-0 208 –230. doi:10.2307/2676349
Horner, E. (2007). Queer identities and bisexual identities: What’s the Kimmel, D. (1995). Lesbians and gay men also grow old. In L. Bond, S.
difference? In B. A. Firestein (Ed.), Becoming visible: Counseling Cutler, & A. Grams (Eds.), Promoting successful and productive aging
bisexuals across the lifespan (pp. 287–311). New York, NY: Columbia (pp. 289 –303). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
University Press. Kimmel, D. (2002). Aging and sexual orientation. In B. Jones & M. Hill
Horowitz, S. M., Weis, D. L., & Laflin, M. T. (2003). Bisexuality, quality (Eds.), Mental health issues in lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender
of life, lifestyle, and health indicators. Journal of Bisexuality, 3(2), communities (pp. 17–36). Washington, DC: American Psychiatric As-
5–28. doi:10.1300/J159v03n02_02 sociation.
Hunt, B., Matthews, C., Milsom, A., & Lammel, J. (2006). Lesbians with Kimmel, D. C. (2003). Identifying and addressing health issues of gay,
physical disabilities: A qualitative study of their experiences with lesbian, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) populations in rural communi-
counseling. Journal of Counseling & Development, 84, 163–173. ties: Psychological perspectives. In L. D. Garnets & D. C. Kimmel
Iasenza, S. (1989). Some challenges of integrating sexual orientations into (Eds.), Psychological perspectives on lesbian, gay, and bisexual expe-
counselor training and research. Journal of Counseling & Development, riences (2nd ed., pp. 435– 440). New York, NY: Columbia University
68, 73–76. Press.
Israel, G. E., & Tarver, D. E., II. (Eds.). (1997). Transgender care: Kimmel, D. C., Rose, T., & David, S. (2006). Lesbian, gay, bisexual and
Recommended guidelines, practical information, and personal ac- transgender aging: Research and clinical perspectives. New York, NY:
counts. Philadelphia, PA: Temple University Press. Columbia University Press.
Israel, T., Gorcheva, R., Walther, W. A., Sulzner, J. M., & Cohen, J. Kinsey, A. C., Pomeroy, W. B., & Martin, C. E. (1948). Sexual behavior
(2008). Therapists’ helpful and unhelpful situations with LGBT clients: in the human male. Philadelphia, PA: Saunders.
An exploratory study. Professional Psychology: Research and Prac- Kinsey, A. C., Pomeroy, W. B., Martin, C. E., & Gebhard, P. H. (1953).
tice, 39, 361–368. doi:10.1037/0735-7028.39.3.361 Sexual behavior in the human female. Philadelphia, PA: Saunders.
Israel, T., & Hackett, G. (2004). Counselor education on lesbian, gay, and Kirby, K. M. (2002). Gay, lesbian, and bisexual employee issues in the
bisexual issues: Comparing information and attitude exploration. Coun- workplace. In D. S. Sandhu (Ed.), Counseling employees: A multifac-
selor Education and Supervision, 43, 179 –191. eted approach (pp. 169 –184). Alexandria, VA: American Counseling
Israel, T., Ketz, K., Detrie, P. M., Burke, M. C., & Shulman, J. L. (2003). Association.
Identifying counselor competencies for working with lesbian, gay, and Kirkpatrick, M. (1989). Lesbians: A different middle age? In J. M.
bisexual clients. Journal of Gay & Lesbian Psychotherapy, 7(4), 3–21. Oldham & R. S. Liebert (Eds.), The middle years: New psychoanalytic
doi:10.1300/J236v07n04_02 perspectives (pp. 135–148). New Haven, CT: Yale University Press.
Israel, T., & Mohr, J. (2004). Attitudes toward bisexual women and men: Kite, M. E. (1994). When perceptions meet reality: Individual differences
Current research, future directions. Journal of Bisexuality, 4(1–2), in reactions to gay men and lesbians. In B. Greene & G. Herek (Eds.),
117–134. Psychological perspectives on lesbian and gay issues: Vol. 1. Lesbian
Israel, T., & Selvidge, M. (2003). Contributions of multicultural counsel- and gay psychology: Theory, research, and clinical applications (pp.
ing to counselor competence with lesbian, gay, and bisexual clients. 25–53). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
Journal of Multicultural Counseling and Development, 31, 84 –98. Kite, M. E., & Deaux, K. (1987). Gender belief systems: Homosexuality
Ivey, A. E., & Ivey, M. B. (2007). Intentional interviewing and counsel- and the implicit inversion theory. Psychology of Women Quarterly, 11,
ing: Facilitating client development in a multicultural society (6th ed.) 83–96. doi:10.1111/j.1471-6402.1987.tb00776.x
Pacific Grove, CA: Brooks/Cole. Klawitter, M., & Flatt, V. (1998). The effects of state and local antidis-
Jacobs, J., & Freundlich, M. (2006). Achieving permanency for LGBTQ crimination policies for sexual orientation. Journal of Policy Analy-
youth. Child Welfare, 85, 299 –316. sis and Management, 17, 658 – 686. doi:10.1002/(SICI)1520-
Jennings, K., & Shapiro, P. (2003). Always my child: A parent’s guide to 6688(199823)17: 4⬍658::AID-PAM4⬎3.0.CO;2-P
understanding your gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered, or question- Klein, F. (1993). The bisexual option. (2nd ed.). New York, NY: Har-
ing son or daughter. New York, NY: Simon & Schuster. rington Park Press.
Johnson, M. O., & Neilands, T. B. (2007). Coping with HIV treatment Klein, F., Sepekoff, B., & Wolf, T. J. (1985). Sexual orientation: A
side effects: Conceptualization, measurement, and linkages. AIDS and multivariable dynamic process. Journal of Homosexuality, 11(1–2),
Behavior, 11, 575–585. doi:10.1007/s10461-007-9229-4 35– 49. doi:10.1300/J082v11n01_04
Jones, B. E., & Hill, M. J. (1996). African American lesbians, gay men, Kopelman, L. M. (2002). If HIV/AIDS is punishment, who is bad?
and bisexuals. In R. P. Cabaj & T. S. Stein (Eds.), Textbook of Journal of Medicine & Philosophy, 27, 231–243. doi:10.1076/
homosexuality and mental health (pp. 549 –561). Washington, DC: jmep.27.2.231.2987
American Psychiatric Press. Korell, S. C., & Lorah, P. (2007). An overview of affirmative psycho-
Jordan, K. (2000). Substance abuse among gay, lesbian, bisexual, trans- therapy and counseling with transgender clients. In K. J. Bieschke,
gender, and questioning adolescents. School Psychology Review, 29, R. M. Perez, & K. A. DeBord (Eds.), Handbook of counseling and
201–206. psychotherapy with lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender clients (2nd
Kaufman, M., Silverberg, C., & Odette, F. (2007). The ultimate guide to ed., pp. 271–288). Washington, DC: American Psychological Associ-
sex and disability: For all of us who live with disabilities, chronic pain ation.
and illness. San Francisco, CA: Cleis Press. Krehely, J. (2009). How to close the LGBT health disparities gap: Dis-

34 January 2012 ● American Psychologist


parities by race and ethnicity. Retrieved from http://www.americanpro- utilization of therapy. Psychotherapy: Theory, Research, Practice,
gress.org/issues/2009/12/pdf/lgbt_health_disparities_race.pdf Training, 34, 11–18. doi:10.1037/h0087742
Kulkin, H. S., Chauvin, E. A., & Percle, G. A. (2000). Suicide among gay Liddle, B. (2007). Mutual bonds: Lesbian women’s lives and communi-
and lesbian adolescents and young adults: A review of the literature. ties. In K. J. Bieschke, R. M. Perez, & K. A. DeBord (Eds.), Handbook
Journal of Homosexuality, 40(1), 1–29. doi:10.1300/J082v40n01_01 of counseling and psychotherapy with lesbian, gay, bisexual, and trans-
Kurdek, L. (1988). Perceived social support in gays and lesbians in gender clients (2nd ed., pp. 51– 69). Washington, DC: American Psy-
cohabiting relationships. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, chological Association.
54, 504 –509. doi:10.1037/0022-3514.54.3.504 Linton, S. (1998). Claiming disability: Knowledge and identity. New
Kurdek, L. A. (1995). Lesbian and gay couples. In A. D’Augelli & C. York, NY: New York University Press.
Patterson (Eds.), Lesbian, gay, and bisexual identities over the lifespan: Lofgren-Martenson, L. (2009). The invisibility of young homosexual
Psychological perspectives (pp. 243–261). New York, NY: Oxford women and men with intellectual disabilities. Sexuality and Disability,
University Press. 27, 21–26. doi:10.1007/s11195-008-9101-0
Kurdek, L. (2004). Are gay and lesbian cohabitating couples really dif- Lombardi, E. (2001). Enhancing transgender health care. American Jour-
ferent from heterosexual married couples? Journal of Marriage and nal of Public Health, 91, 869 – 872. doi:10.2105/AJPH.91.6.869
Family, 66, 880 –900. doi:10.1111/j.0022-2445.2004.00060.x MacKellar, D. A., Valleroy, L. A., Secura, G. M., Behel, S., Bingham, T.,
Kurdek, L. A., & Schmitt, J. P. (1987). Perceived emotional support from Celentano, D. D., . . . Torian, L. V. (2007). Perceptions of lifetime risk
family and friends in members of homosexual, married, and heterosex- and actual risk for acquiring HIV among young men who have sex with
ual cohabiting couples. Journal of Homsexuality, 14, 57– 68. doi: men. AIDS and Behavior, 11, 263–270. doi:10.1007/s10461-006-
10.1300/J082v14n03_04 9136-0
Kweskin, S., & Cook, A. (1982). Heterosexual and homosexual mothers’ Malcolm, A., Aggleton, P., Bronfman, M., Galvao, J., Mane, P., &
self-described sex-role behavior and ideal sex-role behavior in children. Verrall, J. (1998). HIV-related stigmatization and discrimination: Its
Sex Roles, 8, 967–975. doi:10.1007/BF00290021 forms and contexts. Critical Public Health, 8, 347–370. doi:10.1080/
Laird, J. (1993). Lesbian and gay families. In F. Walsh (Ed.), Normal 09581599808402920
family processes (2nd ed., pp. 282–328). New York, NY: Norton. Mallon, G. P., Aledort, N., & Ferrera, M. (2002). There’s no place like
Laird, J., & Green, R. J. (1996). Lesbians and gays in couples and home: Achieving safety, permanency, and well-being for lesbian and
families: Central issues. In J. Laird & R. J. Green (Eds.), Lesbians and gay adolescents in out-of-home care settings. Child Welfare, 81, 407–
gays in couples and families: A handbook for therapists (pp. 1–12). San 439.
Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass. Manalansan, M. (1996). Double minorities: Latino, Black, and Asian men
Lambert, S. (2005). Gay and lesbian families: What we know and where who have sex with men. In R. Savin-Williams & K. Cohen (Eds.), The
to go from here. Family Journal, 13, 43–51. doi:10.1177/ lives of lesbians, gays, and bisexuals: Children to adults (pp. 393– 415).
1066480704270150 Fort Worth, TX: Harcourt Brace.
Markowitz, F. E. (1998). The effects of stigma on the psychological
Lareau, A. (2003). Unequal childhoods: Class, race, and family life.
well-being and life satisfaction of persons with mental illness. Journal
Berkeley: University of California Press.
of Health and Social Behavior, 39, 335–347. doi:10.2307/2676342
Laryea, M., & Gien, L. (1993). The impact of HIV-positive diagnosis on
Markowitz, L. (1991). Homosexuality: Are we still in the dark? Family
the individual, Part 1: Stigma, rejection, and loneliness. Clinical Nurs-
Therapy Networker, 15, 26 –29, 31–35.
ing Research, 2, 245–263. doi:10.1177/105477389300200302
Markowitz, L. (1995). Bisexuality: Challenging our either/or thinking. In
Lasser, J., Tharinger, D., & Cloth, A. (2006). Gay, lesbian, and bisexual the Family, 1, 6 –11, 23.
youth. In G. G. Bear & K. M. Minke (Eds.), Children’s needs III: Martell, C. (2007, August). Considerations of class: Personal history and
Development, prevention, and intervention (pp. 419 – 430). Washing- individual identity. Address presented at the conference of the Ameri-
ton, DC: National Association of School Psychologists. can Psychological Association, San Francisco, CA.
Laumann, E. O., Gagnon, J. H., Michael, R. T., & Michaels, S. (1994). Martell, C., & Prince, S. (2005). Treating infidelity in same-sex couples.
The social organization of sexuality: Sexual practice in the United Journal of Clinical Psychology, 61, 1429 –1438. doi:10.1002/
States. Chicago, IL: University of Chicago Press. jclp.20192
Lee, J. A. (1987). What can homosexual aging studies contribute to Martin, A. D., & Hetrick, E. S. (1988). The stigmatization of the gay and
theories of aging? Journal of Homosexuality, 13(4), 43–7l. doi:10.1300/ lesbian adolescent. Journal of Homosexuality, 15(1–2), 163–183. doi:
J082v13n04_03 10.1300/J082v15n01_12
Lev, A. I. (2004). Transgender emergence: Therapeutic guidelines for Martin, C. L. (1990). Attitudes and expectations about children with
working with gender-variant people and their families. Binghampton, nontraditional and traditional gender roles. Sex Roles, 22, 151–165.
NY: Haworth Press. doi:10.1007/BF00288188
Lev, A. I. (2007). Transgender communities: Developing identity through Matteson, D. (1996). Counseling and psychotherapy with bisexual and
connection. In K. J. Bieschke, R. M. Perez, & K. A. DeBord (Eds.), exploring clients. In B. A. Firestein (Ed.), Bisexuality: The psychology
Handbook of counseling and psychotherapy with lesbian, gay, bisexual, and politics of an invisible minority (pp. 185–213). Thousand Oaks,
and transgender clients (2nd ed., pp. 147–175). Washington, DC: CA: Sage.
American Psychological Association. Matteson, D. (1999). Intimate bisexual couples. In J. Carlson & L. Sperry
Levitt, H. M., & Williams, D. C. (2010). Facilitating client change: (Eds.), The intimate couple (pp. 439 – 459). Philadelphia, PA: Brunner/
Principles based upon the experience of eminent psychotherapists. Mazel.
Psychotherapy Research, 20, 337–352. Matthews, C. R. (2007). Affirmative lesbian, gay, and bisexual counseling
Levy, E. (1992). Strengthening the coping resources of lesbian families. with all clients. In K. J. Bieschke, R. M. Perez, & K. A. DeBord (Eds.),
Families in Society, 73, 23–31. Handbook of counseling and psychotherapy with lesbian, gay, bisexual,
Lidderdale, M. A., Croteau, J. M., Anderson, M. Z., Tovar-Murray, D., & and transgender clients (2nd ed., pp. 201–219). Washington, DC:
Davis, J. M. (2007). Building lesbian, gay, and bisexual vocational American Psychological Association.
psychology: A theoretical model of workplace sexual identity manage- Matthews, C. R., Selvidge, M., & Fisher, K. (2005). Addictions counsel-
ment. In K. J. Bieschke, R. M. Perez, & K. A. DeBord (Eds.), Hand- ors’ attitudes and behaviors toward gay, lesbian, and bisexual clients.
book of counseling and psychotherapy with lesbian, gay, bisexual, and Journal of Counseling & Development, 83, 57– 65.
transgender clients (2nd ed., pp. 245–270). Washington, DC: American Mayer, K. H., & Pizer, H. F. (2000). The emergence of AIDS: The impact
Psychological Association. on immunology, microbiology, and public health. Washington, DC:
Liddle, B. (1996). Therapist sexual orientation, gender, and counseling American Public Health Association.
practices as they relate to ratings of helpfulness by gay and lesbian Maynard, E. A. (2001). Gay and lesbian Christians: Faith and coping in
clients. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 43, 394 – 401. doi:10.1037/ the church (Unpublished doctoral dissertation). Fuller Theological
0022-0167.43.4.394 Seminary.
Liddle, B. (1997). Gay and lesbian clients’ selection of therapists and Mays, V. M., & Cochran, S. D. (2001). Mental health correlates of

January 2012 ● American Psychologist 35


perceived discrimination among lesbian, gay, and bisexual adults in the training and education. Counseling Psychologist, 26, 797– 808. doi:
United States. American Journal of Public Health, 91, 1869 –1876. 10.1177/0011000098265007
doi:10.2105/AJPH.91.11.1869 Morrow, S. L. (2000). First do no harm: Therapist issues in psychotherapy
Mays, V. M., Cochran, S. D., & Roeder, M. R. (2003). Depressive distress with lesbian, gay, and bisexual clients. In K. J. Bieschke, R. M. Perez,
and prevalence of common problems among homosexually active Af- & K. A. DeBord (2000), Handbook of counseling and psychotherapy
rican American women in the United States. Journal of Psychology & with lesbian, gay, and bisexual clients (pp. 137–156). Washington, DC:
Human Sexuality, 15, 27– 46. doi:10.1300/J056v15n02_03 American Psychological Association.
McCreary, D. R. (1994). The male role and avoiding femininity. Sex Moskowitz, J. T., Folkman, S., Collette, L., & Vittinghoff, E. (1996).
Roles, 31, 517–531. doi:10.1007/BF01544277 Coping and mood during AIDS-related caregiving and bereavement.
McDaniel, J. (1995). The lesbian couples’ guide: Finding the right woman Annals of Behavioral Medicine, 18, 49 –57. doi:10.1007/BF02903939
and creating a life together. New York, NY: Harper Collins. Moskowitz, J. T., & Wrubel, J. (2005). Coping with HIV as a chronic
McDougall, G. J. (1994). Therapeutic issues with gay and lesbian elders. illness: A longitudinal analysis of illness appraisals. Psychology &
Clinical Gerontologist, 14, 45–57. doi:10.1300/J018v14n01_05 Health, 20, 509 –531. doi:10.1080/08870440412331337075
McWhirter, D., & Mattison, A. M. (1984). The male couple. Englewood Mulick, P. S., & Wright, L. W., Jr. (2002). Examining the existence of
Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall. biphobia in the heterosexual and homosexual populations. Journal of
Meyer, E. J. (2009). Gender, bullying, and harassment. New York, NY: Bisexuality, 2(4), 45– 64. doi:10.1300/J159v02n04_03
Teacher’s College Press. Murphy, B. (1994). Difference and diversity: Gay and lesbian couples.
Meyer, I. H. (1995). Minority stress and mental health in gay men. Journal of Gay & Lesbian Social Services, 1(2), 5–31. doi:10.1300/
Journal of Health and Social Behavior, 36, 38 –56. J041v01n02_02
Meyer, I. H. (2003). Prejudice, social stress, and mental health in lesbian, Murphy, J. A., Rawlings, E. I., & Howe, S. R. (2002). A survey of clinical
gay, and bisexual populations: Conceptual issues and research evi- psychologists on treating lesbian, gay, and bisexual clients. Profes-
dence. Psychological Bulletin, 129, 674 – 697. doi:10.1037/0033- sional Psychology: Research and Practice, 33, 183–189. doi:10.1037/
2909.129.5.674 0735-7028.33.2.183
Meyer, I. H., & Dean, L. (1998). Internalized homophobia, intimacy, and Murphy, T. F. (1992). Redirecting sexual orientation: Techniques and
sexual behavior among gay and bisexual men. In G. Herek (Ed.), justifications. Journal of Sex Research, 29, 501–523. doi:10.1080/
Psychological perspectives on lesbian and gay issues: Vol. 4. Stigma 00224499209551664
and sexual orientation: Understanding prejudice against lesbians, gay National Association of Social Workers. (1996). Code of ethics of the
men, and bisexuals (pp. 160 –186). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage. National Association of Social Workers. Retrieved from http://www
.naswdc.org/code.htm
Meyer, I. H., Dietrich, J., & Schwartz, S. (2008). Lifetime prevalence of
Nauta, M. M., Saucier, A. M., & Woodard, L. E. (2001). Interpersonal
mental disorders and suicide attempts in diverse lesbian, gay, and
influences on students’ academic and career decisions: The impact of
bisexual populations. American Journal of Public Health, 98, 1004 –
sexual orientation. Career Development Quarterly, 49, 352–362.
1006. doi:10.2105/AJPH.2006.096826
Nicolosi, J. (1991). Reparative therapy of male homosexuality. Northvale,
Millett, G. A., Flores, S. A., Peterson, J. L., & Bakeman, R. (2007).
NJ: Aronson.
Explaining disparities in HIV infection among black and white men
Noelle, M. (2002). The ripple effect of the Matthew Shepard murder:
who have sex with men: A meta-analysis of HIV risk behaviors. AIDS,
Impact on the assumptive worlds of members of the targeted group.
21, 2083–2091. doi:10.1097/QAD.0b013e3282e9a64b
American Behavioral Scientist, 46, 27–50. doi:10.1177/
Mintz, L. B., & Bieschke, K. J. (2009). Counseling psychology model 0002764202046001004
training values statement addressing diversity: Development and intro- Nylund, D. (2007). Reading Harry Potter: Popular culture, queer theory
duction to the major contribution. Counseling Psychologist, 37, 634 – and the fashioning of youth identity. Journal of Systemic Therapies,
640. doi:10.1177/0011000009331923 26(2), 13–24. doi:10.1521/jsyt.2007.26.2.13
Mohr, J. J., & Fassinger, R. E. (2003). Self-acceptance and self-disclosure Nystrom, N. (1997, February). Mental health experiences of gay men and
of sexual orientation in lesbian, gay, and bisexual adults: An attachment lesbians. Paper presented at the meeting of the American Association
perspective. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 50, 482– 495. doi: for the Advancement of Science, Houston, TX.
10.1037/0022-0167.50.4.482 O’Connor, M. F. (1997). Treating the psychological consequences of HIV.
Mohr, J. J., Israel, T., & Sedlacek, W. E. (2001). Counselors’ attitudes San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.
regarding bisexuality as predictors of counselors’ clinical responses: An Oelklaus, M. W., Williams, C. L., & Clay, P. G. (2007). Managing
analogue study of a female bisexual client. Journal of Counseling long-term side effects of HIV therapy. Retrieved from http://www
Psychology, 48, 212–222. doi:10.1037/0022-0167.48.2.212 .thebody.com/content/art40471.html
Mohr, J. J., & Rochlen, A. B. (1999). Measuring attitudes regarding Olkin, R. (1999). What psychotherapists should know about disability.
bisexuality in lesbian, gay male, and heterosexual populations. Journal New York, NY: Guilford Press.
of Counseling Psychology, 46, 353–369. doi:10.1037/0022-0167.46.3 O’Neill, T., & Hird, M. (2001). Double damnation: Gay disabled men and
.353 the negotiation of masculinity. In K. Backett-Milburn & L. McKie
Moradi, B., van den Berg, J. J., & Epting, F. R. (2009). Threat and guilt (Eds.), Constructing gendered bodies (pp. 201–223). New York, NY:
aspects of internalized antilesbian and gay prejudice: An application of Palgrave Macmillan.
personal construct theory. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 56, 119 – Ossana, S. M. (2000). Relationship and couples counseling. In R. M.
131. doi:10.1037/a0014571 Perez, K. A. DeBord, & K. J. Bieschke (Eds.), Handbook of counseling
Morales, E. (1989). Ethnic minority families and minority gays and and psychotherapy with lesbian, gay, and bisexual clients (pp. 275–
lesbians. Marriage & Family Review, 14(3– 4), 217–239. doi:10.1300/ 302). Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.
J002v14n03_11 Oswald, R. F. (2002). Inclusion and belonging in the family rituals of gay
Morales, E. (1996). Gender roles among Latino gay and bisexual men: and lesbian people. Journal of Family Psychology, 16, 428 – 436. doi:
Implications for family and couple relationships. In J. Laird & R. J. 10.1037/0893-3200.16.4.428
Green (Eds.), Lesbians and gays in couples and families: A handbook Oswald, R. F., & Culton, L. S. (2003). Under the rainbow: Rural gay life
for therapists (pp. 272–297). San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass. and its relevance for family providers. Family Relations: Interdisciplin-
Morin, S. F. (1977). Heterosexual bias in psychological research on ary Journal of Applied Family Studies, 52, 72– 81.
lesbianism and male homosexuality. American Psychologist, 32, 629 – O’Toole, C. (2003). No reflection in the mirror: Challenges for disabled
637. doi:10.1037/0003-066X.32.8.629 lesbians accessing mental health services. Journal of Lesbian Studies, 7,
Morris, J. F., Waldo, C. R., & Rothblum, E. D. (2001). A model of 35– 49.
predictors and outcomes of outness among lesbian and bisexual women. O’Toole, C. J., & Bregante, J. (1992). Lesbians with disabilities. Sexuality
American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, 71, 61–71. doi:10.1037/0002- and Disability, 10, 163–172. doi:10.1007/BF01102282
9432.71.1.61 Oxley, E., & Lucius, C. A. (2000). Looking both ways: Bisexuality and
Morrow, S. L. (1998). Toward a new paradigm in counseling psychology therapy. In C. Neal & D. Davies (Eds.), Issues in therapy with lesbian,

36 January 2012 ● American Psychologist


gay, bisexual, and transgender clients (pp. 115–127). Buckingham, women’s sexuality and sexual orientation. Journal of Social Issues, 56,
England: Open University Press. 330 –350. doi:10.1111/0022-4537.00169
Pachankis, J., & Goldfried, M. (2004). Clinical issues in working with Peplau, L. A., Veniegas, R. C., & Campbell, S. M. (1996). Gay and
lesbian, gay, and bisexual clients. Psychotherapy: Theory, Research, lesbian relationships. In R. C. Savin-Williams & K. M. Cohen (Eds.),
Practice, Training, 41, 227–246. doi:10.1037/0033-3204.41.3.227 The lives of lesbians, gays, and bisexuals: Children to adults (pp.
Page, E. (2004). Mental health services for bisexual women and bisexual 250 –273). Fort Worth, TX: Harcourt Brace.
men: An empirical study. Journal of Bisexuality, 4(1–2), 137–160. Perrin, E. C. (2002). Sexual orientation in child and adolescent health
doi:10.1300/J159v04n01_11 care. New York, NY: Kluwer Academic.
Page, E. (2007). Bisexual womens’ and mens’ experiences of psychother- Perrin, E. C., & the Committee on Psychosocial Aspects of Child and
apy. In B. A. Firestein (Ed.), Becoming invisible: Counseling bisexuals Family Health. (2002). Technical report: Coparent or second-parent
across the lifespan (pp. 52–71). New York, NY: Columbia University adoption by same-sex parents. Pediatrics, 109, 341–344. doi:10.1542/
Press. peds.109.2.341
Paige, R. U. (2005). Proceedings of the American Psychological Associ- Phillips, J. C. (2000). Training issues and considerations. In K. J. Bi-
ation for the legislative year 2004. Minutes of the annual meeting of the eschke, R. M. Perez, & K. A. DeBord (Eds.), Handbook of counseling
Council of Representatives, February 20 –22, 2004, Washington, DC, and psychotherapy with lesbian, gay, and bisexual clients (pp. 337–
and July 28 and 30, 2004, Honolulu, Hawaii, and minutes of the 358). Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.
February, April, June, August, October, and December 2004 meetings Phillips, J. C., & Fischer, A. (1998). Graduate students’ training experi-
of the Board of Directors. American Psychologist, 60, 436 –511. doi: ences with lesbian, gay, and bisexual issues. Counseling Psychologist,
10.1037/0003-066X.60.5.436 26, 712–734. doi:10.1177/0011000098265002
Paige, R. U. (2007). Proceedings of the American Psychological Associ- Pierret, J. (2007). An analysis over time (1990 –2000) of the experiences
ation for the legislative year 2006. Minutes of the annual meeting of the of living with HIV. Social Science & Medicine, 65, 1595–1605. doi:
Council of Representatives, February 17–19, 2006, Washington, DC, 10.1016/j.socscimed.2007.06.017
and August 17 and 21, 2006, New Orleans, LA, and minutes of the Pilkington, N., & Cantor, J. (1996). Perceptions of heterosexual bias in
February, June, August, and December 2006 meetings of the Board of professional psychology programs: A survey of graduate students.
Directors. American Psychologist, 62, 400 – 490. doi:10.1037/0003- Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 27, 604 – 612. doi:
066X.62.5.400 10.1037/0735-7028.27.6.604
Pallotta-Chiarolli, M. (2005). When our children come out: How to Pillard, R. (1988). Sexual orientation and mental disorder. Psychiatric
support gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered young people. Lane Annals, 18, 51–56.
Cove, New South Wales, Australia: Finch. Pope, M. (1995). Career interventions for gay and lesbian clients: A
Patterson, C. J. (1997). Children of lesbian and gay parents. In T. Ollen- synopsis of practice knowledge and research needs. Career Develop-
dick & R. Prinz (Eds.), Advances in clinical child psychology (Vol. 19, ment Quarterly, 44, 191–203.
pp. 235–282). New York, NY: Plenum Press. Pope, M., Barret, B., Szymanski, D. M., Chung, Y. B., McLean, R.,
Patterson, C. J. (2000). Family relationships of lesbians and gay men. Singaravelu, H., & Sanabria, S. (2004). Culturally appropriate career
Journal of Marriage and Family, 62, 1052–1069. doi:10.1111/j.1741- counseling with gay and lesbian clients. Career Development Quar-
3737.2000.01052.x terly, 53, 158 –177.
Prince, J. (1995). Influences on the career development of gay men.
Patterson, C. J. (2004). Gay fathers. In M. E. Lamb (Ed.), The role of the
Career Development Quarterly, 44, 168 –177.
father in child development (4th ed., pp. 397– 416). New York, NY:
Quam, J. K., & Whitford, G. S. (1992). Adaptation and age-related
Wiley.
expectations of older gay and lesbian adults. Gerontologist, 32, 367–
Patterson, C. J. (2005). Lesbian and gay parents and their children:
374.
Summary of research findings. In Lesbian and gay parenting (pp.
Ragins, B. R., & Cornwell, J. M. (2001). Pink triangles: Antecedents and
5–22). Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.
consequences of perceived workplace discrimination against gay and
Patterson, C. J. (2007). Lesbian and gay family issues in the context of lesbian employees. Journal of Applied Psychology, 86, 1244 –1261.
changing legal and social policy environments. In K. J. Bieschke, R. M. doi:10.1037/0021-9010.86.6.1244
Perez, & K. A. DeBord (Eds.), Handbook of counseling and psycho- Ragins, B. R., Singh, R., & Cornwell, J. M. (2007). Making the invisible
therapy with lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender clients (2nd ed., visible: Fear and disclosure of sexual orientation at work. Journal of
pp. 359 –377). Washington, DC: American Psychological Association. Applied Psychology, 92, 1103–1118. doi:10.1037/0021-9010.92.4.1103
Patterson, C. J., Fulcher, M., & Wainwright, J. (2002). Children of lesbian Raj, R. (2002). Towards a transpositive therapeutic model: Developing
and gay parents: Research, law, and policy. In B. L. Bottoms, M. B. clinical sensitivity and cultural competence in the effective support
Kovera, & B. D. McAuliff (Eds.), Children, social science, and the law of transsexual and transgender clients. International Journal of
(pp. 176 –200). New York, NY: Cambridge University Press. Transgenderism, 6. Retrieved from http://www.symposion.comijt/
Paul, J. P., Hays, R. B., & Coates, T. J. (1995). The impact of the HIV ijtvo06no02_04.htm
epidemic in U.S. gay male communities. In A. R. D’Augelli & C. J. Ray, N. (2006). Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender youth: An epi-
Patterson (Eds.), Lesbian, gay, and bisexual identities over the lifespan: demic of homelessness. Retrieved from http://www.thetaskforce.org/
Psychological perspectives (pp. 347–397). New York, NY: Oxford reports_and_research/homeless_youth
University Press. Reid, J. (1995). Development in late life: Older lesbian and gay lives. In
Pence, B. W., Miller, W. C., Whetten, K., Eron, J. J., & Gaynes, B. N. A. D’Augelli & C. Patterson (Eds.), Lesbian, gay, and bisexual iden-
(2006). Prevalence of DSM–IV-defined mood, anxiety, and substance tities over the lifespan: Psychological perspectives (pp. 215–240). New
use disorders in an HIV clinic in the southeastern United States. Journal York, NY: Oxford University Press.
of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes, 42, 298 –306. doi:10.1097/ Ridley, C. R., Li, L. C., & Hill, C. L. (1998). Multicultural assessment:
01.qai.0000219773.82055.aa Reexamination, reconceptualization, and practical application. Coun-
Peplau, L. A. (1991). Gay and lesbian relationships. In J. Gonsiorek & J. seling Psychologist, 26, 827–910. doi:10.1177/0011000098266001
Weinrich (Eds.), Homosexuality: Implications for research and public Ritieni, A., Moskowitz, J., & Tholandi, M. (2008). HIV/AIDS miscon-
policy (pp. 177–196). Newbury Park, CA: Sage. ceptions among Latinos: Findings from a population-based survey of
Peplau, L. A., & Cochran, S. D. (1990). A relational perspective on California adults. Health Education & Behavior, 35, 245–259. doi:
homosexuality. In D. McWhirter, S. A. Sanders, & J. M. Reinisch 10.1177/1090198106288795
(Eds.), Homosexuality/heterosexuality: Concepts of sexual orientation Ritter, K. Y., & Terndrup, A. I. (2002). Handbook of affirmative psycho-
(pp. 321–349). New York, NY: Oxford University Press. therapy with lesbians and gay men. New York, NY: Guilford Press.
Peplau, L. A., & Fingerhut, A. (2004). The paradox of the lesbian worker. Rivers, I. (2004). Recollections of bullying at school and their long-term
Journal of Social Issues, 60, 719 –735. doi:10.1111/j.0022-4537.2004 implications for lesbians, gay men, and bisexuals. Crisis: The Journal
.00382.x of Crisis Intervention and Suicide Prevention, 25, 169 –175. doi:
Peplau, L. A., & Garnets, L. D. (2000). A new paradigm for understanding 10.1027/0227-5910.25.4.169

January 2012 ● American Psychologist 37


Rolland, J. (1994). In sickness and in health: The impact of illness on and politics of an invisible minority (pp. 53– 83). Thousand Oaks, CA:
couples’ relationships. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 20, Sage.
327–347. doi:10.1111/j.1752-0606.1994.tb00125.x Rust, P. (1996b). Monogamy and polyamory: Relationship issues for
Rooney, S. (2003, August). Comparing bisexual with lesbian and gay bisexuals. In B. A. Firestein (Ed.), Bisexuality: The psychology and
youth: Educational, interpersonal, and career trajectories. Paper pre- politics of an invisible minority (pp. 127–148). Thousand Oaks, CA:
sented at the meeting of the American Psychological Association, Sage.
Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Rust, P. C. (2000a). Popular images and the growth of bisexual commu-
Rosario, M., Schrimshaw, E. W., & Hunter, J. (2004). Ethnic/racial nity and visibility. In P. C. Rust (Ed.), Bisexuality in the United States:
differences in the coming-out process of lesbian, gay and bisexual A social science reader (pp. 537–553). New York, NY: Columbia
youths: A comparison of sexual identity development over time. Cul- University Press.
tural Diversity & Ethnic Minority Psychology, 10, 215–228. doi: Rust, P. C. (2000b). Review of statistical findings about bisexual behavior,
10.1037/1099-9809.10.3.215 feelings, and identities. In P. C. Rust (Ed.), Bisexuality in the United
Rosario, M., Schrimshaw, E. W., & Hunter, J. (2006). Bisexual men: States: A social science reader (pp. 129 –184). New York, NY: Co-
Longitudinal associations of mental health, substance abuse, and the lumbia University Press.
coming-out process. AIDS Education and Prevention, 18, 444 – 460. Rust, P. C. (2007). The construction and reconstruction of bisexuality:
doi:10.1521/aeap.2006.18.5.444 Inventing and reinventing the self. In B. A. Firestein (Ed.), Becoming
Rosario, M., Schrimshaw, E. W., Hunter, J., & Braun, L. (2006). Sexual visible: Counseling bisexuals across the lifespan (pp. 3–27). New York,
identity development among lesbian, gay, and bisexual youths: Con- NY: Columbia University Press.
sistency and change over time. Journal of Sex Research, 43, 46 –58. Rutter, P. A., Estrada, D., Ferguson, L. K., & Diggs, G. A. (2008). Sexual
doi:10.1080/00224490609552298 orientation and counselor competency: The impact of training on en-
Ross, M. W. (1990). The relationship between life events and men- hancing awareness, knowledge, and skills. Journal of LGBT Issues in
tal health in homosexual men. Journal of Clinical Psychology, Counseling, 2, 109 –125. doi:10.1080/15538600802125472
46, 402– 411. doi:10.1002/1097-4679(199007)46:4⬍402::AID- Ryan, C. (2009). Helping families support their lesbian, gay, bisexual,
JCLP2270460405⬎3.0.CO;2-Q and transgender (LGBT) children. Washington, DC: National Center
Ross, M. W., & Paul, J. P. (1992). Beyond gender: The basis of sexual for Cultural Competence, Georgetwon University Center for Child and
attraction in bisexual men and women. Psychological Reports, 71, Human Development. Retrieved from http://nccc.georgetown.edu/
1283–1290. doi:10.2466/PR0.71.8.1283-1290 documents/LGBT_Brief.pdf
Rostosky, S. S., Riggle, E. D. B., Horne, S. G., & Miller, A. D. (2009). Saad, C. (1997). Disability and the lesbian, gay man, or bisexual individ-
Marriage amendments and psychological distress in lesbian, gay, and ual. In M. Sipski & S. C. Alexander (Eds.), Sexual function in people
bisexual (LGB) adults. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 56, 56 – 66. with disability and chronic illness: A health professional’s guide (pp.
doi:10.1037/a0013609 413– 427). Gaithersburg, MD: Aspen.
Rothblum, E. D. (1994). “I only read about myself on bathroom walls”: Saewyc, E. M. (2006). Pregnancy among lesbian, gay, and bisexual
The need for research on the mental health of lesbians and gay men. adolescents: Influences of stigma, sexual abuse, and sexual orientation.
Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 62, 213–220. doi: In A. M. Omoto & H. S. Kurtzman (Eds.), Sexual orientation and
10.1037/0022-006X.62.2.213 mental health: Examining identity and development in lesbian, gay, and
bisexual people (pp. 95–116). Washington, DC: American Psycholog-
Rothblum, E. D., Balsam, K. F., & Mickey, R. M. (2004). Brothers and
ical Association.
sisters of lesbians, gay men, and bisexuals as a demographic compar-
Safren, S. A., & Pantalone, D. W. (2006). Social anxiety and barriers to
ison group: An innovative research methodology to examine social
resilience among lesbian, gay, and bisexual adolescents. In A. M.
change. Journal of Applied Behavioral Science, 40, 283–301. doi:
Omoto & H. S. Kurtzman (Eds.), Sexual orientation and mental health:
10.1177/0021886304266877
Examining identity and development in lesbian, gay, and bisexual
Rothblum, E. D., & Bond, L. (Eds.). (1996). Preventing heterosexism and
people (pp. 55–71). Washington, DC: American Psychological Asso-
homophobia. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
ciation.
Rotheram-Borus, M. J., Hunter, J., & Rosario, M. (1994). Suicidal be- Sánchez, F. J., Westefeld, J. S., Liu, W. M., & Vilain, E. (2010). Mas-
havior and gay-related stress among gay and bisexual male adolescents. culine gender role conflict and negative feelings about being gay.
Journal of Adolescent Research, 9, 498 –508. doi:10.1177/ Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 41, 104 –111. doi:
074355489494007 10.1037/a0015805
Rotheram-Borus, M. J., Rosario, M., Van Rossem, R., Reid, H., & Gillis, Satre, D. (2006). Use and misuse of alcohol and drugs. In D. Kimmel, T.
R. (1995). Prevalence, course, and predictors of multiple problem Rose, & S. David (Eds.), Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender
behaviors among gay and bisexual male adolescents. Developmental aging: Research and clinical perspectives (pp. 131–151). New York,
Psychology, 31, 75– 85. doi:10.1037/0012-1649.31.1.75 NY: Columbia University Press.
Russell, G. M. (1996). Internalized classism: The role of class in the Savin-Williams, R. C. (1990). Gay and lesbian youth: Expressions of
development of self. Women & Therapy, 18, 59 –71. doi:10.1300/ identity. New York, NY: Hemisphere.
J015v18n03_07 Savin-Williams, R. C. (1994). Verbal and physical abuse as stressors in
Russell, G. M. (2000). Voted out: The psychological consequences of the lives of lesbian, gay male, and bisexual youths: Associations with
anti-gay politics. New York, NY: New York University Press. school problems, running away, substance abuse, prostitution, and
Russell, G. M., & Bohan, J. S. (2005). The gay generation gap: Commu- suicide. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 62, 261–269.
nicating across the LGBT generational divide. Angles: The Policy doi:10.1037/0022-006X.62.2.261
Journal of the Institute for Gay and Lesbian Strategic Studies, 8(1), Savin-Williams, R. C. (1996). Ethnic- and sexual-minority youth. In R. C.
1– 8. Savin-Williams & K. M. Cohen (Eds.), The lives of lesbians, gays, and
Russell, G. M., & Kelly, N. H. (2003). Subtle stereotyping: The media, bisexuals: Children to adults (pp. 152–165). Fort Worth, TX: Harcourt
homosexuality, and the priest sexual abuse scandal. Retrieved from Press.
http://www.iglss.org/media/files/MediaStereotype.pdf Savin-Williams, R. C. (1998). “. . . and then 1 became gay”: Young men’s
Russell, G. M., & Richards, J. A. (2003). Stressor and resilience factors stories. New York, NY: Routledge.
for lesbians, gay men, and bisexuals confronting antigay politics. Amer- Savin-Williams, R. C. (2001). Suicide attempts among sexual-minority
ican Journal of Community Psychology, 31, 313–328. doi:10.1023/A: youths: Population and measurements issues. Journal of Consulting and
1023919022811 Clinical Psychology, 69, 983–991. doi:10.1037/0022-006X.69.6.983
Russell, S. T., Franz, B. T., & Driscoll, A. K. (2001). Same-sex romantic Savin-Williams, R. C. (2003). Lesbian, gay, and bisexual youths’ rela-
attraction and experiences of violence in adolescence. American Jour- tionships with their parents. In L. D. Garnets & D. C. Kimmel (Eds.),
nal of Public Health, 91, 903–906. doi:10.2105/AJPH.91.6.903 Psychological perspectives on lesbian, gay, and bisexual experiences
Rust, P. (1996a). Managing multiple identities: Diversity among bisexual (2nd ed., pp. 299 –326). New York, NY: Columbia University Press.
women and men. In B. A. Firestein (Ed.), Bisexuality: The psychology Savin-Williams, R. C., & Cohen, K. M. (Eds.). (1996). The lives of

38 January 2012 ● American Psychologist


lesbians, gays, and bisexuals: Children to adults. Fort Worth, TX: Swann, S. K., & Spivey, C. A. (2004). The relationship between self-
Harcourt Brace. esteem and lesbian identity during adolescence. Child and Adolescent
Savin-Williams, R., & Dube, E. (1998). Parental reactions to their child’s Social Work Journal, 21, 629 – 646. doi:10.1007/s10560-004-6408-2
disclosure of gay/lesbian identity. Family Relations, 47, 7–13. doi: Swartz, D. B. (1995). Cultural implications of audiological deficits on the
10.2307/584845 homosexual male. Sexuality and Disability, 13, 159 –181. doi:10.1007/
Schmidt, C. (2004). The effects of simultaneous developmental processes: BF02590063
The prediction of career development outcomes for lesbian, gay, and Szymanski, D. M., & Carr, E. R. (2008). The roles of gender role conflict
bisexual youth. Dissertation Abstracts International: Section A. Hu- and internalized heterosexism in gay and bisexual men’s psychological
manities and Social Sciences, 65(3), 842. distress: Testing two mediation models. Psychology of Men & Mascu-
Scott, R. L. (2006). Promoting well-being: An ecology of intervening with linity, 9, 40 –54. doi:10.1037/1524-9220.9.1.40
African American bisexual clients. Journal of Bisexuality, 6(1–2), Szymanski, D. M., & Gupta, A. (2009). Examining the relationship
65– 84. doi:10.1300/J159v06n01_05 between multiple internalized oppressions and African American les-
Scott, R. L. (2007). Addressing social invalidation to promote well-being bian, gay, bisexual, and questioning persons’ self-esteem and psycho-
for multiracial bisexuals of African descent. In B. A. Firestein (Ed.), logical distress. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 56, 110 –118. doi:
Becoming visible: Counseling bisexuals across the lifespan (pp. 207– 10.1037/a0013317
228). New York, NY: Columbia University Press. Szymanski, D., Kashubeck-West, S., & Meyer, J. (2008a). Internalized
Selvidge, M. M. D., Matthews, C. R., & Bridges, S. K. (2008). The heterosexism: A historical and theoretical overview. The Counseling
relationship of minority stress and flexible coping to psychological well Psychologist, 36, 510 –524.
being in lesbian and bisexual women. Journal of Homosexuality, 55(3), Syzmanksi, D., Kashubeck-West, S., & Meyer, J. (2008b). Internalized
450 – 470. doi:10.1080/00918360802345255 heterosexism: Measurement, psychosocial correlates, and research di-
Shapiro, J. P. (1993). No pity: People with disabilities forging a new civil rections. The Counseling Psychologist, 36, 525–574.
rights movement. New York, NY: Times Books. Tasker, F. (1999). Children in lesbian-led families: A review. Clinical
Sherry, A., Whilde, M. R., & Patton, J. (2005). Gay, lesbian, and bisexual Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 4, 153–166. doi:10.1177/
training competencies in American Psychological Association accred- 1359104599004002003
ited graduate programs. Psychotherapy: Theory, Research, Practice, Thomas, S. R., & Larrabee, T. G. (2002). Gay, lesbian, bisexual, and
Training, 42, 116 –120. doi:10.1037/0033-3204.42.1.116 questioning youth. In J. Sandoval (Ed.), Handbook of crisis counseling,
Shidlo, A. (1994). Internalized homophobia: Conceptual and empirical intervention, and prevention in the schools (2nd ed., pp. 301–322).
issues in measurement. In B. Greene & G. M. Herek (Eds.), Lesbian Mahwah, NJ: Erlbaum.
and gay psychology: Theory, research, and clinical applications (pp. Thompson, D. (1994). The sexual experiences of men with learning
176 –205). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage. disabilities having sex with men: Issues for HIV prevention. Sexuality
Shidlo, A., & Schroeder, M. (2002). Changing sexual orientation: A and Disability, 12, 221–242. doi:10.1007/BF02547909
consumer’s report. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, Throckmorton, W. L. (2007, August). Sexual identity therapy guidelines:
33, 249 –259. doi:10.1037/0735-7028.33.3.249 A framework for navigating religious conflicts. In M. A. Yarhouse
Shively, M. G., & De Cecco, J. P. (1977). Components of sexual identity. (Chair) & A. L. Beckstead (Chair), Sexual identity therapy to address
Journal of Homosexuality, 3(1), 41– 48. doi:10.1300/J082v03n01_04 religious and spiritual conflicts. Symposium presented at the meeting of
Shuttleworth, R. (2007). Introduction to the special issue: Critical research the American Psychological Association, San Francisco, CA.
and policy debates in disability and sexuality studies. Sexuality Re- Tomlinson, M. J., & Fassinger, R. E. (2003). Career development, lesbian
search and Social Policy, 4, 1–14. doi:10.1525/srsp.2007.4.1.01 identity development, and campus climate among lesbian college stu-
Simoni, J. M. (2000). Confronting heterosexism in the teaching of psy- dents. Journal of College Student Development, 44, 845– 860. doi:
chology. In B. Greene & G. L. Croom (Eds.), Psychological perspec- 10.1353/csd.2003.0078
tives on lesbian and gay issues: Vol. 5. Education, research, and Tozer, E. E., & Hayes, J. A. (2004). Why do individuals seek conversion
practice in lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgendered psychology: A therapy? The role of religiosity, internalized homonegativity, and iden-
resource manual (pp. 74 –90). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage. tity development. Counseling Psychologist, 32, 716 –740. doi:10.1177/
Simoni, J. M., & Pantalone, D. W. (2005). HIV disclosure to sexual 0011000004267563
partners and safer sex. In S. C. Kalichman (Ed.), Positive prevention: Turk-Charles, S., Rose, T., & Gatz, M. (1996). The significance of gender
Reducing HIV transmission among people living with HIV/AIDS (pp. in the treatment of older adults. In L. Carstensen, B. Adelstein, & L.
65–98). New York, NY: Plenum Press. Dornbrand (Eds.), The handbook of clinical gerontology (pp. 107–128).
Slater, S. (1995). The lesbian family life cycle. New York, NY: Free Press. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
Smith, A. (1997). Cultural diversity and the coming-out process: Impli- Tuttle, G. E., & Pillard, R. C. (1991). Sexual orientation and cognitive
cations for clinical practice. In B. Greene (Ed.), Psychological perspec- abilities. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 20, 307–318. doi:10.1007/
tives on lesbian and gay issues: Vol. 3. Ethnic and cultural diversity BF01541849
among lesbians and gay men (pp. 279 –300). Thousand Oaks, CA: Ubaldo, L., & Drescher, J. (Eds.). (2004). Transgender subjectivities: A
Sage. clinician’s guide. New York, NY: Haworth Press.
Solarz, A. L. (1999). Lesbian health: Current assessment and directions Urbina, I. (2007, May 17). Gay youths find place to call home in specialty
for the future. Washington, DC: National Academy Press. shelters. The New York Times. Retrieved from http://www.nytimes
Solorio, M. R., Milburn, N. G., & Weiss, R. E. (2006). Newly homeless .com/2007/05/17/us/17homeless.html
youth STD testing patterns over time. Journal of Adolescent Health, 39, VandenBos, G. R. (Ed.). (2007). APA dictionary of psychology. Wash-
443.e9 – 443.e16. doi:10.1016/j.jadohealth.2005.12.017 ington, DC: American Psychological Association.
Spitzer, R. L. (2003). Can some gay men and lesbians change their sexual Van Leeuwen, J. M., Boyle, S., Salomonsen-Sautel, S., Baker, D. N.,
orientation? Archives of Sexual Behavior, 32, 403– 417. doi:10.1023/ Garcia, J. T., Hoffman, A., & Hopfer, C. J. (2006). Lesbian, gay, and
A:1025647527010 bisexual homeless youth: An eight-city public health perspective. Child
Spong, J. S. (1992). Rescuing the Bible from fundamentalism: A bishop Welfare, 85, 151–170.
rethinks the meaning of scripture. San Francisco, CA: Harper. Van Puymbroeck, C. M. (2002). Career development of lesbian, gay,
Stein, T. S. (1996). Homosexuality and homophobia in men. Psychiatric and bisexual undergraduates: An exploratory study. Dissertation
Annals, 26, 37– 40. Abstracts International: Section B. Sciences and Engineering,
Strommen, E. (1993). “You’re a what?”: Family member reactions to the 62(12), 5982.
disclosure of homosexuality. In L. Garnets & D. Kimmel (Eds.), Psy- Wallis, J. (2005). God’s politics: A new vision for faith and politics in
chological perspectives on lesbian and gay male experiences (pp. America. San Francisco, CA: Harper.
248 –266). New York, NY: Columbia University Press. Walters, K. L. (1997). Urban lesbian and gay American Indian identity:
Sullivan, M., & Wodarski, J. S. (2002). Social alienation in gay youth. Implications for mental health delivery. In L. B. Brown (Ed.), Two
Journal of Human Behavior in the Social Environment, 5(1), 1–17. spirit people: American Indian lesbian women and gay men (pp. 43–
doi:10.1300/J137v05n01_01 65). Binghamton, NY: Haworth Press.

January 2012 ● American Psychologist 39


Wardenski, J. (2005). A minor exception? The impact of Lawrence v. of the Rainbow Support Group. Sexuality Research and Social Policy,
Texas on LGBT youth. Journal of Criminal Law & Criminology, 95, 4, 108 –109. doi:10.1525/srsp.2007.4.1.108
1363–1410. Wilson, I., Griffin, C., & Wren, B. (2005). The interaction between
Weitzman, G. (2006). Therapy with clients who are bisexual and poly- young people with atypical gender identity organization and their
amorous. Journal of Bisexuality, 6(1–2), 137–164. doi:10.1300/ peers. Journal of Health Psychology, 10, 307–315. doi:10.1177/
J159v06n01_08 1359105305051417
Weitzman, G. (2007). Counseling bisexuals in polyamorous relationships. Winegarten, B., Cassie, N., Markowski, K., Kozlowski, J., & Yoder, J.
In B. A. Firestein (Ed.), Becoming visible: Counseling bisexuals across (1994, August). Aversive heterosexism: Exploring unconscious bias
the lifespan (pp. 312–335). New York, NY: Columbia University Press. toward lesbian psychotherapy clients. Paper presented at the meeting of
Weston, K. (1992). Families we choose. New York, NY: Columbia the American Psychological Association, Los Angeles, CA.
University Press. Yacoub, E., & Hall, I. (2009). The sexual lives of men with mild learning
Whitney, S. D., Mobley, M., & Chung, Y. B. (2007, August). Defining disability: A qualitative study. British Journal of Learning Disabilities,
sexual minority adolescents—GLB and same-sex attractions: Examin- 37, 5–11. doi:10.1111/j.1468-3156.2008.00491.x
ing risks and outcomes. Paper presented at the meeting of the American Yarhouse, M. A., & Burkett, L. A. (2002). An inclusive response to LGB
Psychological Association, San Francisco, CA. and conservative religious persons: The case of same-sex attraction and
Williams, J. (2007). Review of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender behavior. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 33, 235–
people with developmental disabilities and mental retardation: Stories 241. doi:10.1037/0735-7028.33.3.235

Appendix A
Internet Resources

It is useful for psychologists to know how to acquire infor- Consortium of Higher Education LGBT Resource Pro-
mation about resources of various kinds, including therapeu- fessionals
tic, educational, social and recreational, and family support. Works to critically transform higher education environ-
Several authors have provided overviews of lesbian, gay, and ments so that lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender stu-
bisexual communities that can provide valuable guidance dents, faculty, administrators, staff, and alumni have equity
(e.g., D’Augelli & Garnets, 1995; Esterberg, 1996). Gates and in every respect.
Ost (2004) have published an atlas of census-based informa- http://www.lgbtcampus.org/resources
tion on the distribution of lesbian, gay, and bisexual house- Children of Lesbians and Gays Everywhere (COLAGE)
holds in towns or cities and states in the United States.
A national movement of children, youths, and adults with one or
Online resources exist at a number of levels. National re-
more lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and/or queer parents.
sources tend to be quite stable and can provide psychologists with
http://www.colage.org
a wide variety of general information. In addition, many national
resources have information about regional resources. Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN)
To access resources in individual cities, one can search Strives to assure that each member of every school com-
online using words such as gay paired with the city name. For munity is valued and respected regardless of sexual orien-
example, a search on “gay St. Louis” yields many helpful tation or gender identity/expression.
links. One can find many local resources related to health, http://www.glsen.org
religion and spirituality, social clubs, real estate, and so on. Human Rights Campaign
American Psychological Association The largest national lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender
Resources civil rights organization.
http://www.hrc.org
APA Office of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Lambda Legal
Concerns Committed to achieving full recognition of the civil rights
http://www.apa.org/pi/lgbc/homepage.html of lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, transgender people, and
APA Division 44, Society for the Psychological Study of those with HIV through impact litigation, education, and
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Issues public policy work.
http://www.apadivision44.org http://www.lambdalegal.org
National Gay and Lesbian Task Force (The Task Force)
Other Resources
Works to build the grassroots power of the lesbian, gay,
BiNet USA bisexual, and transgender community.
An umbrella organization and voice for bisexual people. http://thetaskforce.org
http://www.binetusa.org Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays
BiResource (PFLAG)
Committed to providing support to the bisexual community and Promotes the health and well-being of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and
raising public awareness about bisexuality and bisexual people. transgender persons, their families, and their friends.
http://www.biresource.org http://pflag.org

40 January 2012 ● American Psychologist


Point Foundation Religious Organizations (see Appendix B)
Provides financial support, mentoring, leadership training, Services and Advocacy for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and
and hope to meritorious students who are marginalized due Transgender Elders (SAGE)
to sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. The country’s largest and oldest organization dedicated to
http://www.thepointfoundation.org improving the lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgen-
der older adults.
Queer Resources Directory (QRD) http://www.sageusa.org
An electronic library with news clippings, political contact State Psychological Associations
information, newsletters, essays, images, hyperlinks, and These often have therapist referral lists.
every other kind of information. http://www.apapracticecentral.org/advocacy/state/associations
http://www.qrd.org .aspx

Appendix B
Religious and Denominational Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender
Advocacy and Affinity Organizations

Affirmation The Institute for Judaism and Sexual Orientation


Provides a forum for gay Mormons to associate with their peers. Its mission is to achieve the complete inclusion and welcoming of
http://www.affirmation.org/ LGBT Jews in communities and congregations. Based at a Jew-
Al-Fatiha ish seminary, it has the largest online resource on the intersection
For lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) Mus- of Judaism, sexual orientation, and gender identity.
lims and their allies, families, and friends. http://www.huc.edu/ijso
http://www.al-fatiha.org Institute for Welcoming Resources
Association of Welcoming and Affirming Baptists Resources supporting the unconditional welcome of people
For LGBT Baptists and their allies, families, and friends. of all sexual orientations and gender identities and their
http://www.wabaptists.org families in the church home of their choice. Sponsored by
the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force.
Church Within a Church Movement http://www.welcomingresources.org
A progressive Methodist movement dedicated to being the
Interweave–Unitarian Universalists for LGBT Concerns
fully inclusive church.
For LGBT Unitarian Universalists and their allies, families,
http://www.cwac.us
and friends.
Covenant Network of Presbyterians http://www.interweavecontinental.org
National group of clergy and lay leaders working for a fully Jewish Mosaic: The National Center for Sexual and
inclusive church.
Gender Diversity
www.covenetpres.org
Dedicated to helping the Jewish world become more open, ac-
DignityUSA cessible, and welcoming to LGBT Jews and their families.
For LGBT Catholics and their allies, families, and friends. http://www.jewishmosaic.org
http://www.dignityusa.org Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Ministries
The Evangelical Network For LGBT Unitarian Universalists and their allies, families,
Churches, ministries, Christian workers, and individuals and friends.
established as a positive resource and support for Christian http://www.uua.org/obgltc
gays and lesbians. Lutherans Concerned
http://www.T-E-N.org For LGBT Lutherans and their allies, families, and friends.
Gay and Lesbian Vaishnava Association http://www.lcna.org
For LGBT Hindus and their allies, families, and friends. Metropolitan Community Churches (MCC)
http://www.galva108.org/ Metropolitan Community Churches is ecumenical in nature
Gay Buddhist Fellowship and has historically had largely lesbian, gay, bisexual, and
For LGBT Buddhists and their allies, families, and friends. transgender congregations.
http://gaybuddhist.org http://www.mccchurch.org
Integrity Reconciling Ministries Network
For LGBT Episcopalians and their allies, families, and For LGBT United Methodists and their allies, families, and
friends. friends.
http://www.integrityusa.org http://www.rmnetwork.org

January 2012 ● American Psychologist 41


Reconciling Pentecostals International freedom to lesbian, gay, bisexual transgender, and queer
For LGBT Pentecostals and their allies, families, and friends. people from religious and political oppression.
http://rpifellowship.com http://www.soulforce.org
Seventh-Day Adventist Kinship International
LGBT-affirming organization for current and former Sev- United Church of Christ Coalition for LGBT Con-
enth-Day Adventists. cerns
http://www.sdakinship.org Provides support and sanctuary to LGBT people and their
Soulforce families and friends.
Committed to relentless nonviolent resistance to bring http://www.ucccoalition.org

42 January 2012 ● American Psychologist

Vous aimerez peut-être aussi