The Cure
"The Cure" is an independent
documentary film on reparative programs and the mental health implications of
trying to "change" your sexuality. This is the ONLY documentary
that has been made about Australian ex-gay/conversion/reparative therapies. It
premiered at last year's Mardi Gras Film Festival and has had repeat
performances around Australia. But so many people missed it. Now is your
chance to not only see it, but own it and share it with people who need to know
the truth.
I guarantee you will be moved,
horrified and laugh at least once. But I won't tell you which scene. Added
bonus - you get to see me. Hehe.
Order your copy here. And yes it will play all around the
world as the DVD is region free.
Synopsis
In a revealing and intimate exploration of the influence of
faith on emerging sexuality, filmmaker Heather Corkhill dispels the
secrecy that shrouds the ex-gay movement in Australia.
Through a series of candid interviews, “The Cure”, breaks through the
semantics of a range conversion therapies to unveil a single ultimatum
to homosexual Christians – you must change. The lexicon of such programs
has evolved to suggest a more temperate approach than aversion
therapies such as electro-shock therapy, once used to re-orientate
sexuality, but even in their current incarnation such programs continue
to have devastating effects on the mental and emotional health of many
participants.
The narrative of the film is a chronological retelling of the history
of ex-gay therapies in Australia and New Zealand, as told by
participants and one-time group leaders of prominent organisations such
as Exodus and Living Waters. “The Cure” sets out to inform the audience
by valuing the ethics of balanced filmmaking, and in spite of the
notoriously secretive nature of reorientation programs in Australia the
filmmakers were able to secure an interview with Ron Brookman, current
leader of Living Waters Inc Australia and one-time gay man.
Interviews with prominent Queensland psychologist Paul Martin shed
light on the mental health impacts of attempting to change the
fundamental orientation of individual human sexuality. This scientific
perspective is supported by the startling similarities in the personal
experiences of ex-program participants – reoccurring themes of crippling
shame, feelings of unworthiness, and a life lived constantly under the
fear of failure are reflective of many modern-day experiences of
closeted homosexuals. Such stressful emotional turmoil is compounded
within the Christian context, where a failure to change or even suppress
one’s homosexuality bears the consequence of ostracism from the Church
community and support network, and the threat of eternal spiritual
damnation.
Ultimately, what “The Cure” discovers is the resilience of the human
spirit in pursuit true happiness. Regardless of the pain and
difficulties of the past, there seems an ironic outcome of leaving
behind programs proclaiming ‘freedom from homosexuality’ – in accepting
themselves for who they really are and embracing their homosexuality
identity participants finally experience the happiness of living an
authentic life, and a tangible sense of freedom.
Anthony Venn-Brown
Twitter: @gayambassador
Website: www.gayambassador.com
Email: info@gayambassador.com
Anthony Venn-Brown is the co-founder and former leader of Freedom2b, Australia’s largest network of LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender) people from Christian backgrounds. He is also an educator and consultant on LGBT/faith issues and leader in deconstructing the ‘ex-gay’ myth. Anthony’s autobiography 'A Life of Unlearning', details his journey from married, high profile preacher in Australia’s mega-churches to living as an openly gay man. Anthony has been twice voted ‘One of the 25 Most Influential Gay and Lesbian Australians’ (2007 & 2009) and was one of four finalists for the 2011 ACON Community Hero Award. He is also the founder and director of Ambassadors & Bridge Builders International.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Comments are not usually moderated. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. If what you say is offensive, disrespectful or defamatory however, it will be deleted.