The Rainbow Minute
The Rainbow MinuteThe Rainbow Minute
Monday, October, 15, 2012
“Behind the Mask"
The year was 1972, and never had an American psychiatrist risked speaking publicly about his homosexuality. At the time, homosexuality was even on the American Psychiatric Association’s official list of mental disorders. But later that year came the APA convention in Dallas.
Dr. John Fryer felt compelled to appear at a panel discussion titled, “Psychiatry: Friend or Foe to Homosexuals: A Dialogue.” He slipped through a side curtain wearing a baggy suit, rubbery mask and huge wig, and spoke into a microphone that disguised his voice. He was introduced as Dr. H. Anonymous.
His first words were, “I am a homosexual, I am a psychiatrist.” The audience was stunned into silence.
Fryer’s bold testimony made a difference. In December of 1973, the APA’s Board removed Homosexuality from its list of mental disorders, and urged equal protections guaranteed all citizens.
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