Alfred Freedman; led effort to reclassify homosexuality

Dan82 · Apr 23, 2011

Alfred Freedman; led effort to reclassify homosexuality - Boston.com

Dr. Alfred M. Freedman, a psychiatrist and social reformer who led the American Psychiatric Association in 1973 when, overturning a century-old policy, it declared that homosexuality was not a mental illness, died Sunday in Manhattan. He was 94.

The cause was complications of surgery to treat a fractured hip, his son Dan said.

In 1972, with pressure mounting from gay rights groups and from an increasing number of psychiatrists to destigmatize homosexuality, Dr. Freedman was elected president of the association, which he later described as a conservative “old boys’ club.’’ Its 20,000 members were deeply divided about its policy on homosexuality, which its Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders II classified as a “sexual deviation’’ in the same class as fetishism, voyeurism, pedophilia, and exhibitionism...

Alfred Freedman; led effort to reclassify homosexuality - Boston.com
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NickT · Apr 23, 2011

I wish I could've hugged him

Revan · Apr 23, 2011

He will be missed. He changed the world for us. He truly was probably one of the biggest influential people in our history. Least in my opinion.

Alfred Freedman; led effort to reclassify homosexuality

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