The Caucus of Gay, Lesbian, and Bisexual Members of the American Psychiatric Association (CGLBM-APA) was established in the mid 1970s. In 1978, the American Psychiatric Association (APA) created a task force on gay and lesbian issues in response to a petition from CGLBM-APA. This task force has since been incorporated in the APA as a standing committee which has encouraged the APA to take positions against discrimination based on sexual orientation.

In 1983 the APA agreed to set up a task force on the psychiatric aspects of AIDS. In 1984 the Monograph Series of the APA press published two important volumes: Innovations in Psychotherapy with Homosexuals and Psychiatric Implications of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome.

The Caucus of Gay, Lesbian, and Bisexual Members of the APA also successfully petitioned the American Psychiatric Association for recognition as an under-represented minority within the APA. Since 1982, the Caucus of Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Psychiatrists (formerly the Caucus of Homosexual-Identified Psychiatrists) has been recognized within the APA with a representative sitting in the Assembly of the APA to speak directly on matters of special concern to lesbian and gay members of the APA.

In 1985, the Caucus of Gay, Lesbian, and Bisexual Members of the APA changed its name to the Association of Gay and Lesbian Psychiatrists. Although still an affiliated organization of the American Psychiatric Association, AGLP, as a separate organization, is able to take positions independent of official APA policies. In 1986, AGLP was instrumental in removal of the prejudicial diagnosis, "Ego-Dystonic Homosexuality," from the revised DSM-III. In 1988, AGLP was instrumental in elevating the APA Committee on Psychiatric Aspects of AIDS to the level of a full, standing commission of the APA.

History of AGLP Awardees

1985: Dallas: 1st Luncheon, 72 in attendance including Judd Marmor and Robert Spitzer; No awardees, but John Fryer “came out” as Dr. Anonymous, the hooded psychiatrist from 1972; Stu Nichols agreed to begin awards at next annual meeting

1986: Washington, DC: Barney Frank, first openly gay Congressman given Distinguished Service Award

1987: Chicago: Dr. Judd Marmor, Early researcher on lesbian and gay mental health and past APA president instrumental in removing homosexuality from DSM

1988: Montreal: Dr. John Spiegel, APA president when homosexuality removed

1989: San Francisco: Damien Martin accepts award for deceased partner, Emery Hetrick, One of founders of AGLP and founder of center for gay youth in NYC.  All past presidents honored: Frank Rundle, David Kessler, Stu Nichols, Jim Krajeski, Terry Stein, Bob Cabaj

1990: New York City: Dr. Evelyn Hooker, psychologist whose research helped pave the way to de-pathologize homosexuality

1991: New Orleans: Paulette Goddard, founder of PFLAG

1992: Washington, DC: Urvashi Vaid, Executive Director of National Lesbian and Gay Task Force honored

1993: San Francisco:  Marlon Riggs,   film producer who dramatically spoke for lesbians, gays, people of color, persons with HIV,  “Tongues Untied”

1994: Philadelphia: Frank Kameny and Barbara Gittings, pioneers in lesbian and gay political movement

1995: Miami: Dr. Carolyn Robinowitz, APA Deputy Medical Director and long-time AGLP supporter

1996:  New York City:  First Paulsen award to honor AGLP member: Frank Rundle accepts for James Paulsen; Distinguished Service Award; Martin Duberman, author and Educator

1997: San Diego:  Mel Sabshin, retiring APA Medical Director and long-time AGLP supporter; Paulsen award to Bert Schaffner, octogenarian practicing psychiatrist and long-time AGLP member and activist

1998: Toronto: Paulsen award to Jim Krajeski, past AGLP president and Caucus representative, activist in APA, and new editor of APA NEWS; Sven Robinson, openly gay Canadian representative

1999: Washington, DC:  Paulsen award to Bob Cabaj and Terry Stein, past presidents of AGLP, Caucus Representative, activists, educators, and authors of Textbook of  Homosexuality and Mental Health; Peggy Hanley-Hackenbruck, first woman AGLP president and prime mover in increasing women’s involvement with AGLP

2000:  Chicago, IL: Distinguished Service Award to Richard Isay, M.D., for his pioneering work in combating homophobia in the psychoanalytic community, as well as his many publications on the process of coming out and the psychological development of gay men and lesbians.  Paulsen award to David L. Scasta, M.D., for his many years of service to AGLP as Newsletter editor, founder and editor of the Journal of Gay and Lesbian Psychotherapy, president, and continued involvement with the organization;

2001:  New Orleans, LA: 2001 Distinguished Service Award to Lawrence Hartman, MD, for his many years of work within the governance of the APA, including his service as president, to promote acceptance of its gay, lesbian, and bisexual members and to promote better understanding of the mental health issues facing the gay, lesbian, and bisexual community.  Paulsen Award to Marshall Forstein, MD, for his many years of service to AGLP as president, for his development of curricula teaching medical students, residents, and others about mental health issues of the gay, lesbian, and bisexual community, for his years as chair of the APA's Commission on AIDS, and for his continued involvement with AGLP.

2002: Philadelphia, PA:  Distinguished Service award to John E. Fryer, MD For his courage in speaking out about the presence and psychological health of gay, lesbian, and bisexual psychiatrists at a time when this was not accepted; and for promoting a better understanding of the mental health issues facing the gay, lesbian, and bisexual community.  2002 James Paulsen Award, sponsored by Janssen Pharmaceutica to Margery Sved, MD For her many years of service to AGLP as secretary, vice-president and president and for her continued service as the Caucus of Gay, Lesbian, and Bisexual Psychiatrists representative to  the APA Assembly.

2003; San Francisco, CA:  Distinguished Service award to Francis G. Lu, MD for his tremendous efforts in promoting cultural competence within the APA and psychiatric residency training which has thereby fostered improved treatment and acceptance of GLBT people.   James Paulsen Award, to Frank Rundle, MD, for his many years of service to AGLP as one of its founding members and serving as the organization's first president, for his participation on the APA's Committee of Gay Lesbian, and Bisexual Issues, and for his continued involvement and support of AGLP.

2004:  New, York, NY: Distinguished Service Award to New York State Senator Thomas K. Duane, for his untiring political activism on behalf of the GLBT community which has produced remarkable improvements in GLBT mental and medical services as well as passage of non-discrimination laws. Second Distinguished Service Award to New York State Assembly Member Deborah J. Glick, for her untiring political activism on behalf of the LGBT community which has produced remarkable improvements in LGBT mental and medical services as well as passage of non-discrimination laws. James Paulsen Award to Jack Drescher, M.D., for his exemplary work as editor of the Journal of Gay and Lesbian Psychotherapy, his accomplishments as chair of the APA Committee on Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Issues, and his overall commitment to AGLP. Stuart Nichols Award for outstanding achievements in GLBT Community Mental Health to The Hetrick-Martin Institute, Home of the Harvey Milk School, for its many years of providing mental health and supportive services to GLBT youth and its establishment of the flagship Harvey Milk High School which serves as a national role model in providing high quality education to GLBT youth.

2005; Atlanta, GA: Distinguished Service Award to E. Lynn Harris, for his literary excellence and, through his writing, the exploration of gay and bisexual sexuality in the African-American community. His body of work has helped to bring this topic out of the closet.  Stuart Nichols Award for outstanding achievements in GLBT Community Mental Health to Youthpride, for its outstanding provision of support and mental health services to GLBTQ youth in the greater Atlanta area.  James Paulsen Award to Roy Harker, for his devotion to AGLP and his outstanding work over the past eight years as the organization’s national office director and Executive Director.  A special Award was presented to Mary Barber, MD, In appreciation of service as President from 2001-2005.

2006: Toronto, Ontaio, Canada: Distinguished Service Award to R. Douglas Elliott For efforts which resulted in the first two legal same sex marriages in the world, performed in Toronto in 2001, and ongoing work in advancing equality for sexual minorities. Stuary Nichols Award outstanding achievements in GLBT Community Mental Health to The Clinic for HIV-Related Concerns in the Department of Psychiatry at Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto for providing outstanding mental health services to people with HIV and training to providers in HIV psychiatry in the Toronto area. James Paulsen Award to Daniel W. Hicks, MD for outstanding contributions to AGLP including service on the board, as president, and liaison efforts with APA on behalf of LGBT issues.

2007: San Diego, CA: Stuart Nichols Award for outstanding achievements in GLBT Community Mental Health to The San Diego Lesbian Gay Bisexual and Transgender Community Center for providing exceptional health, mental health, and related support services to the LGBT community in San Diego. James Paulsen Award to David R. Kessler, MD for outstanding contributions to AGLP including your pioneering efforts as a founding member, service as president, and your exemplary financial support of AGLP’s programs and mission. A special Award was presented to Dan Karasic, MD, In appreciation of service as President from 2005-2007.