Gayborhood in Philadelphia in Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

John E. Fryer, M.D.

(1937-2003)

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 26, 2019

1. John E. Fryer, M.D. Marker

Inscription. 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.

Erected 2017 by Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Civil Rights • Science & Medicine. In addition, it is included in the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1972.

Location. 39° 56.885′ N, 75° 9.736′ W. Marker is in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in Philadelphia County. It is in Gayborhood. Marker is on South 13th Street north of Locust Street, on the right when traveling north. Located along the sidewalk, in front of a parking lot, facing South 13th Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 219 South 13th Street, Philadelphia PA 19107, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Edith "Edie" Windsor (a few steps from this marker); AIDS Library of Philadelphia (within shouting

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distance of this marker); Historical Society of Pennsylvania (within shouting distance of this marker); New Century Guild (within shouting distance of this marker); Philadelphia Gay News (within shouting distance of this marker); Francis Johnson (within shouting distance of this marker); 1319 Locust Street (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Philadelphia Sketch Club (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Philadelphia.

Also see . . . John Ercel Fryer, M.D. (Wikipedia). Fryer was an American psychiatrist and gay rights activist best known for his anonymous speech at the 1972 American Psychiatric Association annual conference where he appeared in disguise and under the name Dr. Henry Anonymous. At a time when homosexuality was still listed as a mental illness, a sociopathic personality disturbance, Fryer was the first gay American psychiatrist to speak publicly about his sexuality. At the time of his speaking, Fryer was on the faculty of Temple University, but did not have the security of tenure, so was in real danger of losing his position if he had been identified. (Submitted on June 27, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

John E. Fryer, M.D. Marker<br>(<i>wide view from South 13th Street • parking lot in background</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 26, 2019

2. John E. Fryer, M.D. Marker
(wide view from South 13th Street • parking lot in background)

Additional keywords. LGBTQ, 🏳️‍🌈

Credits. This page was last revised on February 2, 2024. It was originally submitted on June 25, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 629 times since then and 36 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 27, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.