John E. Fryer

John E. Fryer (November 7, 1937 – February 21, 2003) was an American psychiatrist and gay rights activist best known for his anonymous speech at the 1972 American Psychiatric Association (APA) annual conference where he appeared in disguise and under the name Dr. H. Anonymous. This event significantly influenced the APA's decision to declassify homosexuality as a mental disorder in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM).

Early life and education

Fryer was born in Kentucky and raised in a conservative Christian family. He attended Transylvania University for his undergraduate studies and later earned his medical degree from the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine. He completed his residency in psychiatry at the University of Pennsylvania.

Career

Fryer held faculty positions at several institutions, including the University of Pennsylvania and Temple University. He was also a staff psychiatrist at Philadelphia's Friends Hospital and the director of the Department of Psychiatry at the Philadelphia General Hospital.

Activism

Fryer's most notable contribution to the gay rights movement was his speech at the 1972 APA conference. At the time, homosexuality was classified as a mental disorder in the DSM. Fryer, who was gay himself, appeared in disguise to protect his identity and career. His speech, in which he described the discrimination and bias faced by gay psychiatrists, was a pivotal moment in the movement to declassify homosexuality as a mental disorder.

Legacy

Fryer's activism had a profound impact on the field of psychiatry and the broader gay rights movement. In recognition of his contributions, the APA established the John E. Fryer Award in 2002. This award is given annually to an individual who has contributed to improving the mental health of sexual minorities.

See also

• History of homosexuality in American film
• Homosexuality and psychology
• LGBT rights in the United States