Homosexual Professor (Press, 5 October 1973)
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Summary: Homosexual Professor (Press, 5 October 1973)
On 4 October 1973, Dr Howard Brown, a professor of medicine at New York University and the city’s first health services administrator, made a significant announcement during a conference on human sexuality. Speaking to an audience of approximately 600 fellow physicians, he declared that he has been homosexual for over 30 years, saying, “I am today publicly announcing my homosexuality.” Dr Brown addressed the stigma surrounding homosexuality, stating that many homosexuals live in fear of being exposed and that there is a need to alleviate their suffering. He emphasised that a considerable number of physicians in New York City are homosexual, with at least ten whose practices are predominantly composed of homosexual patients. According to Dr Brown, every type of physician, including obstetricians, has patients who are either homosexual or who grapple with their sexual identity. He urged the medical community to reject the notion that homosexuality is a treatable abnormality and advocated for a more accepting attitude towards homosexual patients. Dr Brown called for physicians to inform their homosexual patients that there is no clinical evidence to support the idea that homosexuality is a disease, asserting that being homosexual does not inherently result in an unhappy life. He further noted that he is aware of many individuals in various professions, including priests, Protestant clergymen, dentists, and politicians, who are also homosexual. His statements represented a bold move towards increased visibility and acceptance for the LGBTQ+ community within the medical field and society at large.
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