John E. Fryer, M.D. (1937-2003)

Philadelphia County · dedicated 2017 · 13th St. at Locust, Philadelphia

Temple professor and psychiatrist Fryer, disguised as "Dr. Anonymous," spoke against the American Psychiatric Association's classification of homosexuality as a mental illness at the APA's 1972 annual meeting. Fryer's testimony persuaded the APA to declassify homosexuality as a mental disorder in 1973, ending treatments such as chemical castration, electric shock therapy, and lobotomy and paving the way for advances in LGBT civil rights.

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Marker data: Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission via data.pa.gov

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