JORGE GATO

UNIVERSITY OF PORTO. PORTUGAL

Jorge Gato, Ph.D. is affiliated with the Center for Psychology of the University of Porto (CPUP). He is a researcher specializing in the intersection of clinical and social psychology, with his work focusing on the impact of discrimination on the well-being of socially vulnerable groups, such as LGBTQIA+ individuals and migrants. Throughout his career, he has worked in a branch of psychology that explores the lives and experiences of LGBTQIA+ people (lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer, and other sexual and gender minoritized individuals). Although LGBTQ+ psychology is concerned with sexuality, it has a broad application, examining many different aspects, including prejudice and discrimination, coming out and identity development, relationships, parenting and families, aging and old age, or affirmative psychological interventions.  

He is particularly interested in the development and evaluation of individual, family, and community-based psychological interventions for these populations. He is the author of more than 80 scientific papers and two books, the most recent of which is on psychological interventions with LGBTQIA+ individuals. He has supervised 3 doctoral dissertations and more than 30 master’s theses, and has participated in several funded research projects on minoritized populations. In addition to his research, he is a licensed psychotherapist and family therapist. He currently serves as President-Elect of the European Society on Family Relations. He is a member of the technical-scientific group of the Commission for Citizenship and Gender Equality in Portugal. He is committed to social change, with an active presence in the media, volunteer work with NGOs, and collaboration with Portuguese government agencies.