AGLP Position Statement on Racism

Racism in the law enforcement agencies is a public health crisis. AGLP Condemns the Systemic Racism and Law Enforcement Brutality 

AGLP, The Association of LGBTQ+ Psychiatrists, stands in solidarity with members of the Black community in the condemnation of systemic anti-black racism and discrimination. George Floyd is one of the most recent in a long list of Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) community members killed by law enforcement officers. We also acknowledge the deaths of LGBTQ+ BIPOC individuals including Dustin Parker, Neulisa Luciano Ruiz, Yampi Méndez Arocho, Monika Diamond, Lexi, Johanna Metzger, Serena Angelique Velázquez Ramos, Layla Pelaez Sánchez, Penélope Díaz Ramírez, Nina Pop, Helle Jae O’Regan, and Tony McDade. AGLP recognizes that systemic racism informs individual actions and systemic policy. This is also exemplified by the racial profiling experienced by gay birder Christian Cooper on the same day as Floyd's death.  

AGLP views racism in law enforcement as a public health crisis.We recognize that these deaths are the direct result of a longstanding history of anti-Black oppression. AGLP strongly condemns law enforcement brutality which has increased in recent years. This is seen in the rising number of emergency department visits due to police intervention, disproportionately affecting Black patients

(1).  We join in advocating for justice and lasting change at a systemic level. Law enforcement agencies must exercise unbiased, just, and humanitarian, approaches while discharging their duties.  Law enforcement agencies must be willing to take accountability and identify how their current training, perceptions, and practices, facilitate police violence against marginalized communities.  Violence fosters the development of distrustful attitudes and discourages marginalized individuals from seeking help.  

(2) AGLP recognizes race-based invidious discrimination. George Floyd’s death occurred in the setting of the COVID-19 pandemic, a health crisis that has made race-based disparities in healthcare more painfully apparent.  Black Americans infected with Coronavirus have died at a rate more than double that of white Americans 
 This risk is attributed to limited access to healthcare and the presence of comorbid conditions. Racial oppression is linked to elevated risks of hypertension and diabetes, as well as adverse mental health outcomes such as depression and anxiety.  Racism, reflected in disproportionate levels of unemployment, housing insecurity, and limited access to healthcare, must be named and addressed. Furthermore, AGLP recognizes that discrimination in the delivery of healthcare reflects implicit bias based on race, gender and sexuality, pervading medical culture. This is seen in the lived experiences of BIPOC trainees and patients who faced discrimination and dismissal in a clinical setting 

(3) AGLP stresses the urgent need for an increased institutional involvement in this movement, increased representation of BIPOC in faculty positions, and integration of more cultural competency training into the curriculum. Institutions must translate the generic statements of solidarity into action.

As a community of LGBTQ+ Psychiatrists, including BIPOC members, AGLP recognizes that the timing of these protests is especially poignant. The month of June is observed as LGBTQ+ Pride month, which is rooted in the Stonewall Riots on June 28, 1969. Black and transgender members of the LGBTQ+ community, Stormé Delverie and Marsha P. Johnson, ignited protests against police brutality that catalyzed the start of the LGBTQ+ rights movement. Without Black Activists resisting homophibic laws and police enforcement, pride month and the rights of LGBTQ+ people would not have taken shape.

The roots of AGLP are embedded in community activism and the brave actions of members speaking out against homophobia and discrimination following Stonewall. AGLP continues to stress the urgency of supporting and empowering BIPOC by adding our voice to the growing list of agencies advocating for lasting, impactful change.

AGLP works to promote LGBTQ+ mental health while recognizing that oppressive forces are complex and intersectional for many marginalized people.  Furthermore, AGLP recognizes the importance of using its organizational power to amplify the voices of BIPOC. We advocate for vigorous, lasting anti-racism reforms and promotion of inclusivity, diversity, and respect. AGLP is committed to working with our membership to be a part of the solution. 

Sincerely,
Amir Ahuja, M.D., 
President of AGLP: The Association of LGBTQ+ Psychiatrists.

1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5052149/
2. https://covidtracking.com/race
3. https://nces.ed.gov/fastfacts/display.asp?id=61

 

AGLP:  The Association of LGBTQ Psychiatrists’ Brief Guide to Lectures, Articles and Book Chapters on LGBTQ African Americans and Mental Health
The following lectures and articles were written or edited by AGLP members.   www.aglp.org

2020 John Fryer, MD Award lecture by Billy E Jones, MD  Black and Gay:  A Historical Perspective of Black Gay Men

The Fryer Award is an AGLP-funded annual lecture at the APA meeting.  
Slides and lectures are at the following website.  Scroll down to Sunday April 26, 2020 at 3:10p  Free CME is available until  April 1, 2021.   https://www.psychiatry.org/psychiatrists/meetings/spring-highlights?utm_source=Internal-Link&utm_medium=Banner-Row&utm_campaign=SH20
AGLP organized a zoom question and answer session after the lecture.   This can be accessed at https://www.facebook.com/groups/299028370124154/permalink/3592851277408497/ 

Articles and Book Chapters on LGBTQ African Americans
The following articles and book chapters maybe used in journal clubs etc.  

Articles from the AGLP-sponsored Journal of Gay and Lesbian Mental Health

Jack Drescher (2019) An interview with Billy E. Jones, MD, MS, Journal of Gay & Lesbian Mental Health, 23:4, 435-440, DOI: 10.1080/19359705.2019.1642686

Symposium proceedings organized by AGLP at the APA Annual meeting in May 2012: The Black Community and its LGBT Members

1. Richard G. Dudley Jr. MD (2013) Being Black and Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual or Transgender, Journal of Gay & Lesbian Mental Health, 17:2, 183-195, DOI: 10.1080/19359705.2013.768171
9. 
   Jerome M. Gibbs PD & Billy E. Jones MD MS (2013) The Black Community and Its LGBT Members: The Role of the Behavioral Scientist, Journal of Gay & Lesbian Mental Health, 17:2, 196-207, DOI: 10.1080/19359705.2013.766563
10. 
    Marjorie J. Hill PhD (2013) Is the Black Community More Homophobic?: Reflections on the Intersectionality of Race, Class, Gender, Culture and Religiosity of the Perception of Homophobia in the Black Community, Journal of Gay & Lesbian Mental Health, 17:2, 208-214, DOI:10.1080/19359705.2013.768089
11. 
    June Jackson Christmas MD (2013) Discussion of “The Black Community and Its LGBT Members” Papers, Journal of Gay & Lesbian Mental Health, 17:2, 215-220, DOI: 10.1080/19359705.2013.768040

Vernon A. Rosario MD, PhD (2009) African-American Transgender Youth, Journal of Gay & Lesbian Mental Health, 13:4, 298-308, DOI: 10.1080/19359700903164871

Kali Cyrus (2017) Multiple minorities as multiply marginalized: Applying the minority stress theory to LGBTQ people of color, Journal of Gay & Lesbian Mental Health, 21:3, 194-202, DOI: 10.1080/19359705.2017.1320739

The Journal is a benefit of AGLP membership.  It is free to download articles for AGLP  members.   Go to www.aglp.org  Click membership, then members, then sign in.  If you need help with the sign in, please contact the national office of AGLP.   For non members, to access articles go to https://www.tandfonline.com/loi/wglm20 

Book Chapters from the American Psychiatric Association Publishing www.appi.org

Jones, B. E. and Hill, M. J. 1996. African American lesbians, gay men, and bisexuals. In Textbook of homosexuality and mental health, Edited by: Cabaj, R. P. and Stein, T. S. 549–561. Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Association.  (This book is out of print but used copies are available  at amazon.com) 

Billy E. Jones, MD  co- edited this book.  Griffith E. H.,  Jones B.E., Stewart A. J. 2019. Black Mental Health:  Patients, Providers and Systems, Washington, DC:  American Psychiatric Press.   

Kenneth Ashley, MD wrote the following LGBTQ chapter  Ashley, K, Lothwell, L (2019)  Black Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Identities and Mental Health 139-150

Billy E. Jones, MD edited this book. Jones, B. E. and Hill, M. 2002. Mental health issues in lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities, Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Press.

Donald Tarver, MD wrote the Transgender Chapter.  Tarver, D. (2002). Transgender mental health: The intersection of race, sexual orientation, and gender identity.  93-108 

Position Statements from Other Organizations

https://www.ama-assn.org/about/leadership/police-brutality-must-stop
https://www.acponline.org/acp-newsroom/internists-gravely-concerned-about-discrimination-and-violence-by-public-authorities-and-others
https://gi.org/2020/06/02/joint-gi-society-message-on-racism-social-injustice-and-our-pledge-to-lead-change/
https://www.aacap.org/AACAP/Press/Press_Releases/2020/AACAP_Condemns_Racism_Calls_for_End_Police_Violence.aspxhttps://twitter.com/AmerAcadPeds/status/1267220576457932802

Christian Cooper in the news

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian_Cooper  
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BFzwoUH6cTc&feature=emb_logo.   
https://www.advocate.com/news/2020/5/26/christian-cooper-black-victim-racist-nyc-incident-gay-editor