Charlotte J. Patterson, winner of the Award for Distinguished Contributions to Research in Public Policy, is cited as the world's expert on psychological research on children and youths raised by lesbian and gay parents. Her early analytic syntheses of the literature on the subject greatly influenced other researchers in child and family development as well as policymakers. By encouraging researchers working in human development fields to focus on developmental aspects of sexual orientation, she has changed the entire field. In addition to the citation, a biography and selected bibliography of Patterson's works are provided. Also included is her paper, entitled "Children of lesbian and gay parents: Psychology, law, and policy," a version of which Patterson delivered at the American Psychological Association's annual convention.