Making the World Better for LGBTQ Youth and the Field of Political Science

“I want the youth to know their identities are valued. Trying to make the world better for them is why I do this work.”

Congratulations to Edward F. Kammerer, Jr., J.D., Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Political Science at Idaho State (ISU) for receiving the LGBTQ Caucus’s Early Career Service Award. This award from the LGBTQ Caucus recognizes significant and outstanding service to the LGBTQ political science community. Dr. Kammerer was nominated by multiple individuals in light of his extensive work on behalf of the Caucus and Sexuality and Politics Division, his commitments to organize and connect the greater LGBTQ political science community through Zoom happy hours and receptions, his outstanding teaching and mentorship, and his efforts to raise the profile of other queer scholars.

Associated with the American Political Science Association (APSA), the caucus started in 1987 as a place for people who are in the field of political science academia to meet with each other and advocate for LGBTQ issues in the field of political science, as well as to recognize the validity of LGBTQ research and scholarship in political science.

Kammerer says that through his work with the caucus he has largely focused on community building. He helps organize in-person happy hours and receptions and he makes sure to welcome and invite people in at each event. Kammerer says that the LGBTQ Caucus has mainly been active at the annual APSA meeting, but there are smaller regional conferences that he has been trying to support. 

“I’ve been working with friends and colleagues to host social events at conferences that don’t have formal organizations there yet,” Kammerer says. “We’re trying to build community at the smaller conferences to make sure people feel welcome and connected.” 

Kammerer says that his journey in the field of LGBTQ issues in political science has had challenges. For instance, in graduate school, he was unable to find any classes in LGBTQ politics because they weren’t offered. He is currently co-authoring a book Teaching LGBTQ Politics that he hopes will be a good resource for faculty who want to teach these types of courses. 

Kammerer stresses the importance of raising the profile of queer scholars. 

“LGBTQ research wasn’t taken seriously as political science research,” he says. “It’s been marginalized in the discipline.”

But Kammerer says that seems to be changing. The LGBTQ Caucus helps make people aware that LGBTQ scholars study everything, not just LGBTQ politics. Too often, he says, there is a misconception that if you are an LGBTQ person you’re expected to study only LGBTQ topics in the field. 

“We want people to be aware that LGBTQ folks study everything,” he says. “But if they do study LGBTQ politics, this is a valid field.”

Kammerer says that a new book award from the Sexuality & Politics section signals that LGBTQ research is research that is worth recognition. It elevates the field of LGBTQ politics. Another Sexuality & Politics award, the Lasting Contribution Award, recognizes a piece of LGBTQ research at least ten years old that has a significant impact on the field. Also new, the Service Award was created by the caucus at last year’s APSA meeting in Montreal. The Service Award recognizes the many people who have done exceptional work across the political science discipline. 

“This is research that matters, it endures, it’s important,” Kammerer says. “This is real political science that should be found in the top political science journals, not only in specialized journals. This is legitimate educational content that belongs in our curriculum.”

Kammerer says that his work on the caucus helps to send the message that LGBTQ people are equal, valid, and that their identities matter. One of Kammerer’s major concerns is the LGBTQ youth. He wants them to see and know that there are people who recognize and support them.

“I want the youth to know their identities are valued,” he says. “Trying to make the world better for them is why I do this work.”

Kammerer has helped plan and organize a series of events at ISU for LGBTQ History Month in October. Sponsored by many departments on campus and student clubs, Kammerer says he brought this idea to ISU because he felt the university needed to do something on campus for those who might feel unrecognized and unsupported.  

“We want to celebrate LGBTQ history and make it clear that this history is part of American history,” he says. “When I was doing LGBTQ Pride we would always say “It’s always someone’s first Pride” and it’s magical for them to be in this space. That’s why we do this work, to make sure they have this space. The work never ends but it’s good work. We fight the good fight and we keep it going.”