The Psychological Society of South Africa sexual and gender diversity position statement: contributing towards a just society

Abstract

In this article, we outline the position statement on sexual and gender diversity adopted by the Psychological Society of South Africa's Council on 24 September 2013. In line with the Society's constitution, the statement contributes to transforming and redressing silences in South African psychology in order to promote human well-being and social justice for all. The commemoration of the 20th anniversary of the formation of the Society as well as that of democracy in the country in 2014 makes the aforementioned contribution all the more significant. The statement provides psychology professionals in South Africa and elsewhere, with a framework for understanding the challenges that individuals face in societies that are patriarchal and heteronormative and which discriminate on the basis of sexuality and gender. An affirmative view of sexual and gender diversity is taken as the foundation for providing support and guidance to professionals in all areas of psychological practice when dealing with sexually and gender diverse individuals. We contend that by assuming an affirmative stance towards sexual and gender diversity, psychology professionals can assist in the transformation of unjust sexual and gender systems, the harmful effects of which extend beyond their influence on lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex individuals to all persons in South Africa. In light of recent related developments in other African countries and the imminent launch of the Pan-African Psychology Union, South African psychology may, in fact, in this manner also contribute to similar regional initiatives.

Developing an affirmative position statement on sexual and gender diversity for psychology professionals in South Africa

“…These associations are cooperating to increase international collaboration and knowledge amongst practitioners concerned with LGBTI issues, stimulate and apply psychological research and guidelines that address the needs and concerns of LGBTI populations, and increase the number of psychological associations that reject the notion of same-sex sexuality as a mental disorder and promote affirmative mental health practice for LGBTI people (IPsy-NET, 2013 The objective of the PsySSA African LGBTI Human Rights Project is to assist PsySSA in becoming a regional hub to promote capacity and membership of other psychological associations throughout Africa in the work of IPsyNET and to foster active and vocal regional participation in debates around LGBTI issues and concerns (Victor et al, 2014).…”

“…A period of intense activity followed between October 2012 and August 2013 with the team developing draft statements, presenting it to the working group and inviting further commentary and feedback from a wider group of stakeholders, mainly through e-mail communication with personal lists and known individuals in sexual and gender diversity work in South Africa. These efforts culminated in the draft statement being presented to the PsySSA Executive Committee and PsySSA Council for ratification -in effect, the highest decisionmaking body of the learned society for psychology in South Africa, thus serving as ethical clearance -and finally launched at the PsySSA Congress in September 2013 (PsySSA, 2013;Victor et al, 2014). In the following, sections of the position statement (PsySSA, 2013, pp.…”

“…The final components of the statement deal with assuming an affirmative stance, following best practice care, continued professional development, and the promotion of social awareness around sexual and gender diversity (PsySSA, 2013;Victor et al, 2014).…”

Diversity in Human Sexuality: Implications for Policy in Africa

“…Sexual orientation has a number of different dimensions (Vrangalova and Savin-Williams 2014). Sexual orientation has implications for identity formation and how people come to see themselves in social contexts (Victor et al, 2014). Dimensions of sexual orientation include: * Attraction (or desire), where sexual orientation is an enduring pattern of experiencing sexual or romantic feelings for men, women, transgender persons, or some combination of these groups.…”

“…That a small number of men and women claim 'complete' sexual orientation 'conversion' does not prove these methods can 'work for the majority of even 'highly motivated' participants (APA, 2009). in more than one hundred countries (APA, 2009;Haldeman, 2002;Hoffman and Knight, 2007;Nel, 2014;Victor et al, 2014).…”