Stonewall Uprising protesters

Beyond Stonewall: 6 Challenges Ahead in the Struggle for LGBT Rights

By Efua Andoh (PI Communications Staff) and Ron Schlittler, MIPP (Program Coordinator, APA Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Concerns Office) Forty five years ago on June 28, 1969, the gay community in Greenwich Village in New York City spontaneously protested against routine police harassment and intimidation in what became known as the Stonewall Uprising. Their […]

Discrimination against LGBT employees

Why We Still Need ENDA for Full Protection of LGBT Workers

By Leo Rennie (Senior Legislative & Federal Affairs Officer, APA Public Interest Government Relations Office) On June 16, the White House announced that President Barack Obama intends to sign an executive order banning employment discrimination by federal contractors on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity. The Center for American Progress offers a comprehensive […]

Police tape saying "police line do not cross"

No Silver Bullet: Why We Need Research on Gun Violence Prevention

By Clinton W. Anderson, PhD (Associate Executive Director, APA Public Interest Directorate) Deaths and injuries from firearms pose a substantial risk to public health. Firearms are involved in more than 50% of suicides and 70% of homicides. There are more than 30,000 firearm fatalities each year and more than 80,000 non-fatal firearm injuries requiring emergency medical […]

#BringBackOurGirls: Let’s Take Action

By Gwendolyn Puryear Keita, PhD (Executive Director, Public Interest Directorate, American Psychological Association) The world is justifiably horrified at the abduction and trafficking of nearly 300 schoolgirls by the terrorist group Boko Haram in Chibok, Nigeria. It is critical that the world understand the psychological impact of this terrorist act on the girls and their […]

Why Philadelphia’s Mental Health Successes Should Spur Capitol Hill to Action

The American Psychological Association was pleased to have Arthur C. Evans, Jr., PhD, as a witness March 25, 2014 at a hearing of the U.S. House Subcommittee on Oversight of the Committee on Energy and Commerce. Below is a shortened version of Dr. Evans’ full testimony, with full video of the hearing on the Committee’s […]

Women Can’t Wait Another 50 Years for Equal Pay

By Roberta Downing, PhD (Senior Legislative and Federal Affairs Officer, APA Public Interest Directorate – Government Relations Office) Have you ever wondered if you’re being discriminated against in your pay? Would you even know if you were? This week marks Equal Pay Day, which highlights how far into the next year that a woman would have […]

Wad of hundred dollar bills

Why Should Psychologists Care About the Ryan Budget?

By Roberta Downing, PhD (Senior Legislative and Federal Affairs Officer, APA Public Interest Directorate – Government Relations Office) This week, Chairman Paul Ryan of the House Budget Committee released his budget. What does this have to do with psychology? Some of the proposed policy provisions are troubling and could affect your career and your loved ones. […]

Gay couple preparing dinner together

When Policy Gets Under the Skin (In a Good Way): The Case of LGBT Health

By Caroline Fitz, MPhil (Graduate Student Intern, APA Public Interest Government Relations Office) In what percentage of states do you think it’s legal to discriminate against lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) individuals in the workforce: 20%, 40%, 60%? If you guessed 60%, you’re right. In 29 and 33 states, respectively, employers can fire you for […]