He Spurred a Revolution in Psychiatry. Then He 'Disappeared.'

[Hamlette]

Listen to his 10 minute speech at the American Psychiatric Association in 1972, one of the most moving things I've listened to and which was instrumental in getting the APA to say being gay is not a mental illness in 1973.

I'm hoping that link will get you through the paywall to read it.


https://www.nytimes.com/2022/05/02/health/john-fryer-psychiatry.html?unlocked_article_code=AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAACEIPuomT1JKd6J17Vw1cRCfTTMQmqxCdw_PIxftm3iWka3DIDm4YiOQYCoyc-wDPYqplItUpzjmBAcdaIbQvRfVu1P4ZP1BoT0PghKq4r6k_And_r5OvDCRx1ojRXLs8_HixMzXgdux1yfjktE_YdWW6WabAgiYgLRJjp5VldQn82nMDxP_VA6UijIkFqPQnAJ9xQzwFdXPK66GuU0MiTY3AOhLM6QA2WPVbXSXRnrOc6rECdQZQDTHWXS81oDZ8uJ4HZoRhbOuoJAUgecH-nbwVFmVrSYyrDJQ3TIHT_K54uItN9kDFPnzC_Z2sk_5t9A&smid=url-share

[The Unmitigated Gall]

1. It did.

Powerful article. Thank you.

[Hortensis]

2. It did, thanks. Notably, "Anonymous" received a standing ovation when he finished,

which means the timing was right to spark change: he catalyzed at a point for a pivot that was ready to happen.

Timing. Change.

Hope he's been living to see all he helped set in motion. Today's reactionary setbacks are only that.

It is possible to read the history of this country as one long struggle to extend the liberties established in our Constitution to everyone in America. ~ Molly Ivins

[Hamlette]

3. I was especially touched by him telling about not be accepted in the gay community

which I'd never thought of but now thinking about it, shrinks were the enemy because we were totally pissed they considered gays mentally ill. That was a heavy burden. So not only was he shunned by straights, he had no group because he was shunned by gays as well. Sounds like his only group was his fellow gay closeted shrinks.

I read a bit more about the speech, there were signs for change. A group of gay activists went to over 12 gay shrinks trying to get them to speak out. After much prodding, Fryer finally did but only if his identity was hidden. So, no it was not just the speech, the time was ripe but without changing the DSM, none of the other recognized rights could have happened. Being "mentally ill" gave justification for much of the prejudice.

Timing. Change is right.

[Hortensis]

4. By then, diagnosing homosexuality as mental illness must have become

something of a litmus test for character and ideology. You're of course so right about the critical important of the DSM, but I'm guessing those who wanted that diagnosis would have had to make sure to the professional would make it. Amazing that this was 1972 instead of 1872, but...we advance.