Division 44 Society for the Psychological Study of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Issues Newsletter A Division of the American Psychological Association Volume 25, Number 2 Editor: Douglas Kimmel Summer 2009 President’s Column: Oh Canada! By Randy J. Georgemiller s usual, the APA con- LGBT Community-Academic Partnerships in Ontario.” In his vention will be jam address, he will describe model community-based participatory Apacked with incredible research partnerships in Toronto, which focus on impacting the offerings from all of the divi- emotional well-being of LGBT adolescents and adults in racially sions, directorates, and other and ethnically diverse communities. entities, which comprise our Presidential Address. While the Presidential Address is professional organization. Di- always a stimulating presentation and is the official swan song vision 44 will very successfully for the outgoing President, I invite you to attend and partici- vie for your attention and time pate in a slightly different format for this year’s address (Sat- during your stay in Toronto. urday 2:00 P.M., Fairmont Royal York Hotel, Ontario Room). Throughout this issue of the I am hoping that after some brief introductory remarks, we newsletter, you will find in- can come together as a Division and have a discussion about formation about our program- some of the challenges and opportunities facing the Division. ming. Following are just a few of the events I would like to Within a town hall meeting format, I hope that we can con- highlight for your consideration. tinue an ongoing discussion, which has been occurring within Healthcare Convention Theme. With the moves within the Executive Committee concerning such issues as: the U.S. to reform healthcare and the advances in healthcare • How do we mentor leaders within the Division? delivery in Canada, it is fitting that Division 44’s convention • What is the most advantageous role for allies within the life theme, “Living Well and Advancing Competent, Available, and of our Division? Accessible Healthcare for the LGBT Community,” will high- • How should we engage individuals and organizations that light many innovative symposia and paper sessions discussing threaten the mission of our Division? the challenges for addressing healthcare disparities within our Please join in with your collegial, brain storming, thinking community. Review the program insert in this issue. caps firmly affixed. At Last: A Wedding for Us All. That is the title of a groundbreaking event in which we are participating in col- laboration with the Division 17 (Counseling Psychology) In This Issue… Section for LGBT Issues. On Thursday evening during the Noted Researcher Larry Kurdek Dies ................................2 convention we will come together to support marriage equal- From the Newsletter 5, 10, 15, and 20 Years Ago.............. 3 ity by celebrating the union of couples at Voglie Ristorante. For further information about the event or to make plans to Support Division Activities with Donations.......................... 4 tie the knot at the ceremony, read the information in this Multicultural Conference Report and Photos ...................... 4 issue or go to www.div17.org/slgbti/wedding.htm. Book Review: L’épreuve de la Masculinite ......................... 6 The Society for the Psychological Study of Lesbian, New Roles for State Associations....................................... 9 Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Issues. In case you have not noticed the new masthead of the newsletter, we are now Student Award Winners Report on NMCS........................ 10 officially the Society for the Psychological Study of LGBT APA President-Elect Candidate Statements..................... 13 Issues. While this change has been long awaited, it has been Convention Information formally approved for only a few days. We are exploring ways Program Highlights ..................................................... 14 to celebrate this greater inclusion in our name and mission Student Volunteers Needed........................................ 15 while we are together in Toronto. Stay tuned. Fund Raising Dinner ................................................... 15 Invited Address. On Saturday of the convention begin- A Wedding for Us All................................................... 17 ning at 11:00 A.M. at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre Announcements................................................................ 18 Reception Hall 104B we are honored to have Dr. Robb APA Council of Representatives Report........................... 20 Travers, Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology, Committee Reports........................................................... 21 Wilfrid Laurier University; Assistant Professor, Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Toronto and Associate Name Change Approved .................................................. 23 Scientist at the Ontario HIV Treatment Network present. His Division 44 Election Results ............................................. 23 talk is entitled “Making Research Relevant: Reflections from Division 44 Newsletter T Summer 2009 Business Meeting. In the same vein of the Presidential who embody the core standards and ethics of our profession Address, the Division Business Meeting (Saturday, 3:00 P.M., while advancing the rights of LGBT people. Fairmont Royal York Hotel, Ontario Room) will not only be Thanks. As you can see, your Division 44 Executive informational but interactive. Each officer, committee, and Committee has been working tirelessly to make the APA task force report will be followed by focused questions, Convention 2009 a rich and rewarding event for you to en- which will challenge our members to engage the Executive joy. Besides the folks I have mentioned above who have Committee to offer ideas, suggestions, and a vision for the taken on key responsibilities for the success of the event, I work of the Division. cannot end this column without extending my endless grati- Networking Reception. The Mentoring Task Force un- tude to Wendy Biss, this year’s Program Chair. Be sure per- der the leadership of Steven David and Michelle Vaughn is sonally to thank her when you see her for her dedication to planning a special networking reception after the Awards every detail of planning for the convention. Erin Deneke, Ceremony. The Task Force will provide updates in the coming next year’s Program Chair, is coordinating this year’s suite weeks. Please plan to attend the event at the Fairmont Royal events, which is the hub for much of our socializing and York Hotel (room to be announced) on Saturday at 5:00 P.M. meeting events at convention. Also, the suite events would Fundraising Dinner. On Saturday of the convention, di- not take place without our Student Representatives, Joe Miles rectly following the reception at the hotel, we will meet at and Laura Alie, who take primary responsibility for staffing Bright Pearl Seafood Restaurant located in Chinatown. See the suite and coordinating the student volunteers. the announcement for the Fundraising Dinner in this issue. This is my last newsletter column as President of the Divi- Bright Pearl has been featured on several Food Network sion. It has been an honor and a privilege to serve in this ca- programs and recommended in many travel guides. Michael pacity. The responsibilities of the office will be handed off to Ranney, the Fundraising Committee Chair, has booked a our incoming President, Bonnie Strickland. We are so fortu- venue that is highly rated for its quality food and value. nate as a Division to have her wealth of experience and wis- Therefore, we are able to offer a ticket price that is the lowest dom available to us. I will continue my involvement as Past in my memory and hopefully will open up the event to even President and will be there as a sounding board for her and the more members, students, and guests. This is a casual event, newly elected President-Elect. Ruth Fassinger, our Past Presi- that will provide an opportunity to mix with old friends and dent will be rotating off in August. This is a sad development meet new colleagues. The dinner is also where we will pre- but I am comforted by the knowledge that she has agreed to sent the third annual Clarity Award in conjunction with the continue to play a significant role in the life of the Division. National Gay and Lesbian Task Force to recognize leaders See you in Toronto! Larry Kurkek, Leading Researcher on Lesbian and Gay Relationships, Dies on June 12 In an e-mail message, Larry’s partner, Gene Siesky, wrote: “To our dear colleagues, family, and friends, of whom there are many: It saddens me deeply to inform you of Larry’s passing. He passed away peacefully at 4:51 P.M., today, 6/11/09. He was at home with the dogs by his side, just as he wished.” John Flach, Chair of the Psychology Department at Wright State University, shared these thoughts about Larry in an e-mail: Larry had been battling cancer for several years. Up until a few weeks ago he was still working and working out. Those of you who know Larry, know that he was very dedicated to his work and his personal fitness. Larry will be greatly missed by his colleagues in the Psych department. In many respects, Larry was the spiritual center of our department—helping us to always focus on quality. Larry completed the Ph.D. at University of Illinois, Chicago in 1976 and began Larry with Gretta and Lillie as an assistant professor at WSU that same year. He was promoted to Professor