On August 31, 2001, the leadership of the APsaA sent the following letter to Alex Holder, editor of International Psychoanalysis, the newsletter of the International Psychoanalytical Association, and to Piers Pendrid, IPA Director General, for distribution to members of the IPA Executive Council:
Dear Dr. Holder,
The leadership and membership of the APsaA have been concerned about the reluctance of the IPA to endorse a non-discrimination policy which specifies homosexual orientation. We are aware that within the IPA there are differing views on this topic, including those who feel that to specify categories, such as race, religion, or gender, actually diminishes human equality. However, we understand that there are societies within the IPA which either directly discriminate against gay persons or create an ambiance that discourages them from becoming applicants and members.
We urge the IPA to take a leadership role in addressing this discrimination forthrightly. We also urge the IPA to issue a clarifying statement that the generalized nondiscrimination policy adopted in 1999 includes homosexual individuals when it says that “The IPA opposes any discrimination of any kind.”
The APsaA has had a non-discriminatory policy on homosexuality for more than 10 years. This and subsequent related policy statements are in the Committee section of our website. Although by North American standards we were tardy in coming to this declaration, the results of having and disseminating such a policy have been invigorating. Our gay colleagues and others in the community at large have responded to this more welcoming attitude and have contributed in numerous ways to our development and vitality.
We encourage the IPA to consider our experience in addressing the issues of homosexuality. Organized psychoanalysis must counter the years of discrimination experienced by our gay and lesbian colleagues and friends.
Sincerely,
Executive Committee of the American Psychoanalytic Association
Richard P. Fox, President
Newell Fischer, M.D., President-elect
Allan Compton, M.D., Treasurer
Lynne Moritz, M.D., Secretary
Ronald Benson, Chairman, Board of Professional Standards
Eric Nuetzel, M.D., Secretary, Board of Professional Standards
On September 21, Daniel Widlöcher wrote to Ralph Roughton:
I have been carefully following the debate which has recently been taking place on the American's Open-line, on the subject of the relationship between sexual orientation and the practice of psychoanalysis, and more particularly the training of psychoanalysts.
After consultation with the Executive Committee of the IPA, I am pleased to send you the following official statement: You ask “whether homosexual orientation is included when [the IPA's resolution] states that ‘the IPA opposes discrimination of any kind’.” I can state unequivocally on behalf of the Council of the IPA that homosexual orientation is included within this resolution.