The Franklyn Springfield Awareness Fund is dedicated to funding efforts to disseminate information to combat stigma and discrimination against the LGBTQIA+ Community. Upon his passing, Dr. Springfield left a generous bequest to APF to fulfill this goal.
This website brings together all of APF’s LGBTQIA+ related efforts in one place with the goal of combatting stigma and mitigating prejudice against members of the community.
View the recording of the 2025 Springfield Town Hall!
Meet the Committee!
Derek C. Phillips, PsyD, MSCP, ABMP (He/Him)
Chair
“As a member of the LGBTQIA+ community myself, I fee a sense of duty to support and serve my community, especially as someone raised in the rural Midwest and as a survivor of sexual orientation change efforts. Continuing to work to destigmatize and protect our community in the context of myriad state efforts to sabotage our progress is one of my top priorities.”
Jae Puckett, PhD (They/Them)
Committee Member
“As a queer person from the south, I’ve always been inspired by the strength and connection within the LGBTQ+ communities I have been a part of. I have a passion for advocacy, developing community supports, and ensuring that trans and nonbinary people have better access to resources.”
Dr. Kimberly F. Balsam (She/They)
Committee Member
“I came out at age 27 in 1994, at a time when acceptance and visibility of LGBTQIA+ people was much lower. I’ve devoted my career as a researcher, instructor, mentor and advocate to promoting LGBTQIA+ rights and wellness and to addressing intersectional forms of oppression within LGBTQIA+ communities. I absolutely love being a part of the LGBTQIA+ psychology community, and am thrilled to join the APF Springfield Committee.”
Douglas C. Haldeman, PhD (He/Him)
Committee Member
“I’ve been a longtime advocate/activist for LGBTQ+ rights since the 1970s.”
Charlotte J. Patterson, PhD (She/Her)
Committee Member
“As a lesbian mother, I have many kinds of contacts with members of LGBTQIA+ communities, and this has given me great joy but also made me aware of important issues – such as stigma and discrimination – that need to be addressed.”
Terry Gock, PhD (He/Him)
Committee Member
“I’m committed to making the world a better place for LGBTQIA+ people than when I began my professional and personal journey in this area over 50 years ago.”
APF Programs
Upcoming LGBTQIA+ Funding Opportunities
Featured Resources
Catch up on the latest Fireside Chats, webinars, blog posts, and more in the APF Resource Center!