Richard A. Brandon-Friedman and co-authors to receive 2020 Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity and Expression Scholarship Award

Dr. Richard A. Brandon-Friedman, Ph.D., LCSW, LCAC, assistant professor for the Indiana University School of Social Work (IUSSW), and a research team with members from both the IUSSW and the IU School of Medicine have been awarded the 2020 Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity and Expression (SOGIE) Scholarship Award by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). The award recognizes excellent scholarship that contributes to knowledge about sexual orientation, gender identity, and the individual and systemic issues associated with these topics.

Brandon-Friedman and his co-authors Barbara Pierce, Ph.D., MSS, LCSW, Jeffry Thigpen, Ph.D., MSW, Beth Wahler, Ph.D., MSW, and J. Dennis Fortenberry, MD, received the SOGIE Scholarship Award for the manuscript Sexual identity development and its impact on sexual well being: Differences between sexual minority and non-sexual minority former foster youth. Brandon-Friedman’s research focuses on sexual and gender identity development among youth, youth sexual wellbeing, LGBTQ+ identity development, youth sexual behaviors, sexuality discourse in social work, and addressing sexuality in the child welfare system.

“Dr. Brandon-Friedman’s work reflects the values we seek to uphold at the IU School of Social Work. He is committed to supporting Indiana’s youth and the LGBTQIA+ community. The impact he has made is immeasurable. We are grateful for his efforts and congratulate him on this well-deserved award.”
– Dean Tamara Davis.

In addition to his faculty role, Brandon-Friedman is a social work services supervisor for the Gender Health Clinic at Riley Hospital for Children at Indiana University Health. He has worked in schools and child welfare for over fifteen years with youth who identify as sexual minorities. He also serves as a member of the Executive Board of GenderNexus, the Chair of the Indiana Chapter of the National Association of Social Worker’s Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Committee, and a Councilor for the Council on Social Work Education’s Council on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity and Expression.

The SOGIE Scholarship Award will be presented at the LGBT Caucus/CSOGIE Reception at the 66th CSWE Annual Program Meeting in Denver, CO, held November 12-15, 2020.