Patterson

Charlotte J. Patterson (Ph.D. Stanford University) is a Professor in the Department of Psychology and in the Center for Children, Families, and the Law, and is Chair of the interdisciplinary Department of Women, Gender & Sexuality at the University of Virginia. Her research focuses on the psychology of sexual orientation, with an emphasis on sexual orientation, human development, and family lives. In the context of her research, Patterson has worked with children, adolescents, couples, and families; she is best known for her studies of child development in the context of lesbian- and gay-parented families. The author or editor of many books and articles, she has also won a number of awards, including the American Psychological Association's Award for Distinguished Contributions to Research in Public Policy. She served as a member of the Committee on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Health Issues and Research Gaps convened by the U.S. Institute of Medicine; their report, entitled The Health of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender People: Building a Foundation for Better Understanding, was released in March, 2011. Her most recent book is the co-edited Handbook of Psychology and Sexual Orientation (Oxford University Press, 2013), which was named Outstanding Book of the Year by the Society for Psychological Study of LGBTQ Issues (APA, Division 44). Patterson is currently serving as co-chair of the National Academics of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine Committee on Understanding the Status and Well-Being of LGBTQ+ Populations.
 

Selected Publications:

Handbook of Psychological and Sexual Orientation (Oxford University Press, 2013)
Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Identities and Youth (Oxford University Press, 2001)
Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Identities in Families (Oxford University Press, 1998)
Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Identities Over the Lifespan (Oxford University Press, 1995)