LGBTQ+ Special Interest Group – 2025 SIG Update

By Jonathan Fernand

This year our 2024-2025 LGBTQ+ SIG Board included Matthew Capriotti (Past President), Jonathan Fernand (President), Daniel Conine (President Elect), Lauren Goodwyn (Treasurer), and Victoria German (Secretary). The SIG’s officers have also been supported by many talented volunteer Chairs including Zoë Akin-Amland and Mary (Max) Llinás who have assisted with our social media accounts, dissemination efforts, and scholarship award materials. Now in our second year, much of our activities involved building operating systems for a sustainable and successful future for the SIG.

The LGBTQ+ SIG’s mission is to provide space to discuss, advocate, and support matters directly related to the treatment of LGBTQIA+ people in applied behavior analysis (ABA). The LGBTQ+ SIG seeks to raise awareness of LGBTQ+ topics, and provide opportunities to educate and engage in critical discussions. The SIG will foster mentorship for practitioners interested in serving the LGBTQIA+ community. The SIG will explore, debate, and advocate for persons at the intersection of LGBTQIA+ and the practice of ABA.

Individuals who are interested in joining can find us on Facebook (LGBTQ ABAI SIG) and Instagram (@lgbtqabaisig) where links to our membership application can be found; or, they can email the SIG (abailgbtqsig@gmail.com). All interested in joining a network and community striving to improve the lives of LGBTQ+ people are encouraged to join, regardless of gender identity, gender expression, or sexual orientation.

This past year, we have continued our SIG scholarship program, which aims to increase the presence of LGBTQ+ perspectives within ABAI by defraying the cost of convention attendance for students and early-career professionals. We also extended our efforts to recognize individuals who are making impact within LGBTQ+ communities by starting our LGBTQ+ SIG Contributions Award. The LGBTQ+ SIG Contributions Award honors individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the advancement of the LGBTQ+ and broader gender, sexual and romantic minority communities through research, clinical practice, education and training, public policy and advocacy, mentorship and leadership, or a combination of these areas.

As we look to the year ahead, we are excited to expand our efforts in growing membership, enhancing our equity-focused scholarship program, and facilitating research and clinical collaborations. As we reflect on our progress over the past year, we are uplifted by the impact our ongoing efforts have made in the lives of LGBTQ+ individuals. We hope those who are interested will join us in creating a more inclusive and supportive environment for all.

As we look to the year ahead, we are excited to expand our efforts in growing membership, enhancing our equity-focused scholarship program, and facilitating research and clinical collaborations. Reflecting on our progress so far, we are energized by the positive impact our work is having on the lives of LGBTQ+ individuals within the ABA community. We invite all who share our vision of a more inclusive and supportive environment to join us in making a difference.