HSP commemorates the 50th anniversary of the speech of Dr. Henry Anonymous, aka Dr. John Fryer, which was instrumental in the APA's declassification of homosexuality as a mental illness. Philadelphia has designated May 2 as "John Fryer Day."
Our collection contains the John Fryer papers, which include the handwritten landmark speech. You can learn more about the collection here.
Be sure to come visit HSP to view a document display on Fryer, curated by Senior Director of the Library Dr. Lee Arnold, that gives a glimpse into his personal and professional life, the impact of the speech and beyond. The display is free and open to the public during normal library hours. It is available through June 17, 2022.
You can also learn more about Fryer in this article in the New York Times newspaper.