Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Caucus

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Caucus

Founded in 1987 following organizing efforts that date as far back as 1974, the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Caucus (LGBTQ Caucus) is the principal association of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer people and allies within the American Political Science Association and an important arena for the presentation of research on sexual and gender diversity studies in political science and related disciplines. Members of the caucus come from the United States, Canada, Australia, United Kingdom, and several nations of the European Union. All academically affiliated social scientists, practitioner political scientists, and graduate students interested in the goals of the caucus are welcome to join.

The APSA LGBTQ Caucus seeks to advance two distinct, but related goals. First, we work to represent and advocate for all LGBTQ political scientists, regardless of their field of study. To do this, we combat discrimination against and provide support for LGBTQ faculty, students, and other members of our community. This can include providing educational resources, highlighting members’ work, creating networking opportunities, and encouraging the hiring and promotion of LGBTQ faculty in political science departments across the country. We seek to recruit new members who identify as LGBTQ or are allies, with particular attention to groups that are historically underrepresented in the academy. The second part of our mission is to advance and promote the study of sexuality and gender identity within the field of political science. We do this through our research panels at the annual APSA meeting, working closely with the Sexuality and Politics Division and Committee on the Status of Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals, and Transgender Individuals in the Profession, and recognizing important scholarship through our LGBTQ Caucus Awards.