Psychology Colloquium Series to discuss 'The Diverse Experiences of Gay Fathers'

According to the Pew Research Center, 23 percent of LGBTQ men are fathers. It’s a number that continues to trend upwards.

Samantha Tornello, assistant professor of human development and family studies at Penn State’s University Park campus, will discuss “The Diverse Experiences of Gay Fathers” when the Colloquium Series in Psychological Sciences and Human Behavior returns to Penn State Erie, The Behrend College.

Tornello’s talk begins at 6 p.m. Thursday, April 5, and will be held in room 117 of the college’s Reed Union Building. Admission is free and open to the public. The event is co-hosted by Penn State Behrend’s Gender Conference.

Tornello will discuss her research involving data from the National Longitudinal Study of Gay/Bisexual Fathers. She will explore questions relevant to how gay fathers form their families, how gay parents divide their household chores and childcare labor and what factors are associated with the well-being of gay parents.

Tornello received her bachelor’s degree in psychology from the State University of New York Stony Brook, and her master’s and doctorate in developmental psychology from the University of Virginia. She has three broad research interests – sexual orientation, gender, and family – which are reflected in her studies investigating the role of family composition and parental gender in children’s development, parental dynamics and how couples function.

This Colloquium Series in Psychological Sciences and Human Behavior event is hosted by Penn State Behrend’s B.A. and B.S. in psychology degree programs and by the student Psychology Coalition with support from the School of Humanities and Social Sciences and the Student Activity Fee. For additional information, contact Carol Wilson, associate professor of psychology, at 814-898-6082 or [email protected].