MPIPP Newsletter
Vol. 2, Issue 4

"BUILDING CONNECTIONS" CONFERENCE LIVES UP TO ITS TITLE

On January 23rd, the Michigan Project for Informed Public Policy (MPIPP) held its 2nd annual conference, "Building Connections: Expertise and Advocacy" in Mason. This year's conference offered a variety of excellent programming centered on the important role of Michigan psychologists, university professors and academic personnel in advocating for the legal protections of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender residents. The conference was funded as part of MPIPP's grant from the Arcus Foundation.

"We're very pleased with the participation in this year's conference," said Sara Van Wormer, MPIPP project coordinator. "We had more than 20 new attendees and the conference was highly rated in the evaluations." Many attendees commented they were happy to make connections with colleagues and others working in the field.

LGBT LEGISLATION

The conference kicked off with a welcome and introduction by Dr. Judith Kovach, Executive Director of the Michigan Psychological Association and project director for MPIPP. Next, Sandra Lewis, of the Lansing-based lobbying firm of Muchmore, Harrington, Smalley & Associates, Inc., provided information about how the legislative process works. Dr. Kovach returned to provide an update on current LGBT legislation.

KALAMAZOO CASE STUDY

The first of two panel discussions, "Kalamazoo: A Case Study in Collaboration," detailed MPIPP's contributions in educating Kalamazoo citizens about the needs for an anti-discrimination ordinance to protect the city's LGBT population. The ordinance was passed overwhelming by Kalamazoo voters on November 3rd — a victory that received both statewide and national attention for its significance to LGBT equality. The panel highlighted the successful collaboration between Michigan psychologists and LGBT advocacy leaders in Kalamazoo.

Panelists included former Michigan Psychological Association (MPA) president Jeff Andert, MPA members Melissa Grey and Sara Van Wormer (MPIPP Project Coordinator), and Kalamazoo-area activist Amy Hunter of the Kalamazoo Gay and Lesbian Resource Center.

THE IMPORTANCE OF COMMUNICATIONS

A second panel, "The Communications Connection," provided education and training on best practices for interacting with print, online, radio and televised media sources. Panelists included Walt Sorg, Lansing AM radio talk show host; Rana Elmir, Communications Director for ACLU of Michigan; Patrick McAlvey, Campaign Manager for Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero; and Diana Popp, Communications Coordinator for MPIPP. The panel discussion addressed a broad range of issues including messaging techniques, how to develop effective sound bites for media, how to package personal stories for publication, utilizing new media such as YouTube, and how to build effective coalitions.

"KNOW US PROJECT"

The last portion of the conference included an introduction to the "Know Us Project" (KUP) followed by regional teambuilding and discussions. The goal of KUP is to encourage greater understanding by everyday citizens of the psychological damages that can result from lack of equal legal protections for LGBT people. The regional discussion groups provided valuable feedback to MPIPP for next steps in terms of how to encourage participation and the tools that are needed in the program kit.

To learn more about MPIPP or the "Know Us Project," please contact Sara Van Womer at: sara.mpipp@gmail.com.

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MPIPP PROFILE: Melissa Grey, Ph.D.

At MPIPP we continue to work to build collaborative relationships with people across Michigan. As part of our ongoing newsletter, we will introduce you to people who are involved in the advancement of public education regarding LGBT issues.

For our first profile, we introduce Dr. Melissa Grey.

Melissa Grey is a Post-doctoral Fellow at the Consortium for Advanced Psychology Training, Genesys Regional Medical Center (APA accredited) in Flint. This is a two-year fellowship with an emphasis on primary care physicians' and psychologists' collaboration in service of primarily underserved populations. Her activities include hospital consultation, medical education, and outpatient assessment and treatment.

She earned her M.S. in 2007 at Eastern Michigan University with a major in Clinical Psychology. Her B.S. (with high honors) was awarded by the University of Michigan in 2004. Her major was in clinical/community psychology.

During the last year, Melissa has:

• Provided testimony to Kalamazoo city council in a public forum regarding their contentious antidiscrimination ordinance;

• Provided testimony regarding the psychological impact of discrimination to Michigan legislators on a bill to amend the Elliot Larsen Act to include sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression;

• Helped MPIPP to develop the "Know Us Project" materials by organizing and reporting on empirical research and collaborating with MPIPP consultants on outcome measures and goals; and

• Collaborated in training MPIPP experts to deliver the KUP program in preparation for the November election.

ON VOLUNTEERING WITH MPIPP ...

According to Melissa, "For people who are interested in volunteering, it's important to keep in mind that the commitment is ours to make. There have been times when I contributed by creating a talking point based on research, for example. Even the smallest things like this help create a larger project, a larger movement, and an important voice."

She added some insight for psychologists: "Many of us might believe the philosophy that the personal is political - that the 'small things' we do in our daily lives are political acts and are influenced by the political. MPIPP provides a forum for carefully using our positions as psychologists in a public and 'political way,' to educate those who actively create the laws that govern our very personal lives and support the wellness of our community members." Melissa continued, "I would want interested folks to know that there's a sense of solidarity and collegiality in MPIPP. I've always felt appreciated, wanted, and valuable. Sara and Judith have made this 'work' fun."

THREE QUESTIONS ...

What makes you happy?

"A lot of things in life make me happy, among them are spending time with people I love - my nieces (1 and 5 years old) - and we play everything from dinosaurs to tea parties, my parents (who are amazing cooks and my comrads in vegan living), my partner, and my friends - and simple things like funny movies, documentaries, yoga, and running."

"In terms of my work life, what really seems to satisfy me is teaching. It fits me like a key to a lock. I really enjoy getting to know students and being involved in their learning experience - from trudging through textbooks to "ah-ha" moments."

What accomplishments are you most proud of to date?

"At this point, I would say I am most proud of my graduation, which was just last year. A lot of people in my life contributed to this accomplishment, and when I earned the PhD, I felt like we all got to realize the dream we had envisioned."

What is your favorite quote?

"This is a quote I really like:"

Diversity may be the hardest thing for a society to live with, and perhaps the most dangerous thing for a society to be without.
--William Sloane Coffin

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The International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Psychology Summer Institute has issued a call for applications

The International LGBT Psychology Summer Institute at the University of Michigan has issued a call for applications for the 2nd International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) Psychology Summer Institute, to be held in Ann Arbor. A collaboration between the Departments of Psychology and Women's Studies at the University of Michigan, the Summer Institute is a week-long residential program held in Ann Arbor, Michigan from August 2 - 6, 2010.

The Institute will provide a unique venue for an intensive exchange of ideas among senior, junior, and graduate student scholars located across LGBT psychology. Ten senior scholars with expertise in LGBT and gender studies as well as many sub-fields of psychology will lead the Institute.

Senior scholars for the LGBST Summer Institute include:

• Meg Barker (The Open University, UK)

• Anthony D'Augelli (Pennsylvania State University, USA)

• Paisley Currah (Brooklyn College, City University of New York, USA)

• Cynthia A. Gómez (San Francisco State University, USA)

• Peter Hegarty (University of Surrey, UK)

• Lih-Mei Liao (University College London, UK)

• Brian Mustanski (University of Illinois, Chicago, USA)

• Charlotte J. Patterson (University of Virginia, USA)

• Anne Peplau (University of California, Los Angeles, USA)

• Leo Wilton (Binghamton University, SUNY, USA)

Application details

Up to fifty individuals will be accepted to the Summer Institute. Up to 25 post-doctoral fellows and untenured academic psychologists will be selected. The University hopes to provide limited support for the cost of these participants' travel and accommodation. Up to 25 graduate students will also be selected.

Support for accommodation and travel expenses for non-University of Michigan students' expenses will be provided.

UM students who produce a paper after the Institute can receive 3 credits for participation in the Summer Institute, either in the summer or fall term. If you are interested in this option, the Planning Committee will work with you to make the appropriate arrangements.

Applicants must send a letter of application, a CV, and the names and contact information for three people who can be contacted for a recommendation (i.e., a reference). The letter of application is limited to two pages and should articulate the applicant's past participation or exposure to research in LGBT Psychology, goals for future research activity in that area, and any particular reasons for wanting to participate in the Summer Institute.

Faculty/postdoctoral applicants should also provide a one-paragraph abstract of a roundtable topic they would like to suggest for the Summer Institute, in which they would be willing to participate. The selection committee may reorganize roundtable topics to be inclusive of various interests, but these proposals will offer initial guidance to the committee.

For more information about the LBGT Summer Institute and tentative schedule, please click here: http://sitemaker.umich.edu/lgbt-summer-institute/home.