Rockway Institute Forms Alliance with Organization of 650 Mental Health Professionals Who Have LGBT Family Members

For Immediate Release 
Media Contact: Rick Moore
(415) 314-8952
rmoore.rockway@alliant.edu 
 
San Francisco - March 30, 2007 - The Rockway Institute, a think-tank that promotes scientific and professional expertise to counter anti-gay prejudice and improve public policies affecting LGBT people, will work with AFFIRM, a network of psychologists with LGBT family members that educates mental health professionals about LGBT issues.
      Rockway’s mission is to provide accurate scientific and professional information about LGBT issues to the news media, legislators and the courts. It also conducts original research applicable to LGBT public policy in the areas of couple/family relations, mental health, education, social services, medical care and the workplace.
      AFFIRM is a group of approximately 650 psychologists, most of whom have family members who are lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgendered. These professionals encourage families to support their LGBT members, educate psychologists and other mental health professionals about LGBT issues, and use their knowledge in the psychological services they offer. The group also works to affect public policy efforts and build similar networks among professionals in related fields.
      “AFFIRM is a natural ally in our efforts to positively inform the discussion of public policies affecting LGBT people,” said Robert-Jay Green, Ph.D., executive director of Rockway. “AFFIRM’s network of more than 650 professionals across the nation will be of great help in our initiatives to counter anti-gay prejudice through the media and to provide expert advice to legislators nationwide.”
      Marvin R. Goldfried, Ph.D., AFFIRM’s founder and a member of the organization’s Steering Committee, has agreed to serve as liaison between the two organizations. Goldfried is Distinguished Professor of Clinical Psychology at Stoneybrook University (formerly called State University of New York at Stonybrook).  He is particularly interested in integrating research on lesbian/gay/bisexual issues into mainstream psychology, and mentoring future researchers to help further that goal.
      A second AFFIRM Steering Committee member, Margaret Crosbie-Burnett, Ph.D., will become a Rockway Fellow. Crosbie-Burnett is an associate professor in the Department of Educational and Psychological Studies at the University of Miami, FL. Her research focuses on non-traditional families, particularly stepfamilies and gay and lesbian families, and school relations.
      “We are pleased to add these highly qualified psychologists to our group of Rockway Fellows,” said Green. “Their expertise will enhance the media’s coverage of LGBT issues, help lawmakers draft appropriate legislation, and help the courts reach fairer decisions.”