History
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.
Purpose
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.
Membership
Anyone can be a member of the LGBTQ Caucus. People who have active APSA membership can affiliate with the LGBTQ Caucus through joining the caucus as one of the affiliated groups of APSA. Non-members of APSA can be a member of the LGBTQ Caucus by participating in meetings, events, and social media networks of the caucus: https://twitter.com/LGBTQCaucus and https://www.facebook.com/groups/apsalgbtqcaucus
Relationship to Sexuality and Politics Division and LGBT Status Committee
The LGBTQ Caucus works closely with two other important groups within APSA to advance our mission of support and advocacy for LGBTQ political scientists and research on sexuality and gender identity. Many of our members are active in all three groups, but each group has its own role.
The Sexuality and Politics Division focuses mainly on research and scholarship around issues of sexuality. This is broader than LGBTQ politics, but many members of the Division do study LGBTQ issues. Sexuality and Politics sponsors many panels at the annual APSA meeting. They also have awards for papers and for the best dissertation in sexuality and politics.
Another important group for LGBTQ political scientists is the Committee on the Status of LGBT Individuals in the Profession. This Committee is part of APSA’s commitment to diversity and inclusion. Members of the Committee are appointed by the APSA President and serve for three year terms. The Committee assesses the status of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender scholars in the profession; advances the research on LGBT issues; develops curriculum materials; and works to ensure tolerance toward LGBT political scientists. The Status Committee hosts a panel or roundtable on important LGBT issues at the APSA Annual Meeting.