John Fryer was a famous psychiatrist and homosexuality advocate who became a real revolution in the twentieth century. In 1972, Dr. Fryer took a risk and anonymously delivered a speech at the annual conference of the American Psychiatric Association. He advocated for the removal of homosexuality from the list of mental illnesses. We will tell you more about the life of the prominent psychiatrist and his contribution to the present. Read more on philadelphianka.
Education and career start
John was born on November 7, 1937 in Winchester, Kentucky. As a child, he was so curious and showed such an early interest in learning that his parents sent him to school at the age of 4. John completed his high school education at the age of 15 and decided to become a doctor:
- The young man entered Transylvania University in Lexington, where he received his bachelor’s degree.
- Fryer received his medical degree from Vanderbilt University in 1962.
- After an internship at the Ohio State University, he began his psychiatric residency at the Menninger Foundation in Topeka, Kansas.
At that time, he already realized that he was homosexual. However, he had to hide this fact, which led to depression. So he moved to Philadelphia, where he tried to complete his residency. But the man was discriminated against because of his sexual orientation. He had to go to Norristown State, where he completed his residency in 1967.
In the mid-1960s, Fryer became involved with the Henry George Foundation. The foundation was founded in 1948 to help those with “sexual deviations”. Fryer participated in the treatment of homosexuals and testified in court on their behalf.
Since 1967, Fryer had worked at Temple University School of Medicine in Philadelphia. During his first two years there, he was an instructor of psychiatry at the school. At that time, he won a grant and created the Ars Moriendi project to address professional issues related to death. His further life was connected with Philadelphia.
Homosexuality: a disease or not?
In 1968, the American Psychiatric Association published the second edition of its classification of mental disorders, which included homosexuality. It was considered a mental illness and a personality disorder. The attitude towards representatives of this sexual orientation was corresponding.
It was Dr. John Fryer who decided to risk his career and in 1972 for the first time publicly told his colleagues that homosexuals are not mentally ill people. Prior to that, there had been many protests in the United States on this issue. Fryer himself lost his job and housing because of his homosexuality. So he agreed to make a presentation at a meeting of the American Psychiatric Association, but decided to do so anonymously.
He was listed on the agenda as “Dr. Henry Anonymous”. Fryer took the stage wearing a rubber mask that covered his face, a wig and a baggy tuxedo. He also used a special microphone to distort his own voice. At the time, John was teaching at Temple University. If he had been exposed, he would have lost his position and the opportunity to work in this field.
The doctor boldly began his speech with the words: “I am a homosexual. I am a psychiatrist.” He then described the lives of his colleagues who were also homosexuals and hid their sexuality for fear of discrimination. He also said that the gay community despises psychiatrists. J. Fryer called for the destruction of stereotypes and prejudices, as well as for the exclusion of homosexuality from the list of mental illnesses.
After the conference, Fryer participated in a talk show on local radio. The fact that he was the anonymous doctor who shook up the whole society was confirmed by John only in 1994. He also noted that he considered this act to be central to his career. It had to be done, so Fryer was in the right place at the right time.
The very next year after his speech, homosexuality was removed from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual. The doctor managed to persuade the psychiatric community to accept this decision. It changed the fate of homosexuals and laid the groundwork for their further struggle for their rights.
Further life and death
Fryer’s identity was kept secret, so the speech did not harm his career. He earned the title of professor at Temple University and worked in the fields of family medicine, psychiatry and the treatment of alcohol and drug addiction. Later, he participated in the treatment of homosexuals with AIDS.
He finished his academic career in 2000. A few years later, he was invited to work as a doctor in Australia. Fryer accepted, but never had time to move to another continent. At that time, he was already diagnosed with diabetes and pulmonary sarcoidosis. The prominent psychiatrist passed away on February 21, 2003 in Philadelphia.
It is worth noting that John Fryer was not only a doctor but also a musician. He mastered such a complex instrument as the organ and for 30 years was the choirmaster of St. Peter’s Church in Germantown. Fryer lived nearby and enjoyed this work. He also played the organ during graduation ceremonies at Temple University.