MovieChat Forums > One Nation Under God Discussion > Aversion Therapy.....Alright, almost mak...

Aversion Therapy.....Alright, almost makes you detest straight people!


Wow. Can't believe I never heard of this well-made documentary before! And I'm REALLY grateful for whatever fluke is out there that spared me from growing up gay in the 1940's, 50's or 60's...which is when most of the (REALLY outdated) psychological theories about homosexuality were formed that are still used by Christian "repairative treatment groups". Eeeeeeeeeek!

Some things the film discusses I hadn't known before: two of the male founders of Eqodus International (the first of the big Christian groups that encouraged gays to "change") later renounced the group and got married to each other; American soldiers freeing prisoners from Nazi concentration camps sent the men wearing pink triangles (signifying they'd been sent there due to sexual orientation) off to serve jail time; that Christian Groups who support changing gays have gone into hospitals and hospices to pressure those dying from AIDS into making recordings "admitting" they're dying because of God's wrath.

The film REALLY leaves you with a shocked, disoriented, very queasy feeling....and makes one wonder why some straight people are SO fixated on a small group of people (gays and lesbians) that aren't actually hurting anyone. What's the point???

It so sad, and nauseating :(

reply

I first came across this film when it aired on the PBS program P.O.V. in, I think it was June of 1994. At the time I was thirty-one years old and had been out since the age of nineteen, but I had never heard of the "ex-gay" movement. So when I saw the coming attractions, I sat down to watch. Needless to say I was horrified.

The historical information, such as the persecution of LGBT persons in Nazi Germany and the mostly negative attitudes in the postwar years, I already knew about. But somehow the existence of this "ministry" that professed to "change" gay persons into straight persons had escaped my notice.

That being said, this is a very involving movie for a documentary. It has lots of drama, and in spots it is downright scary, as when that one man says, and I quote: "God hates homosexuals, and so do Christians." Completely untrue, of course, but imagine being a gay kid of, say, fourteen, wondering how to cope with his or her feelings, hearing a message like that, particularly if the kid also happens to be a Christian.

It has moments of comedy as well. When the film finally gets around to interviewing Sy Rogers, who was at the time the president of Exodus, it gets positively campy. Rogers is so feminine that the whole thing literally becomes surreal. Put him in a dress and he would have been more convincing as a woman than he was as a man. And when they got into the business of "changing behaviors" -- encouraging men to play football, and teaching butch women about hair and makeup, my partner and I fairly howled with laughter.

There is a lot in this little, hour-and-twenty-six-minute film; it swings from campy comedy to human tragedy (when one of the founders of Love in Action described how he was forced to end his long-term relationship with his partner I wept). And whether you've been victimized by them, or you've never heard of them, ONE NATION UNDER GOD tells the truth about the "ex-gay" movement in a way that no other work I have ever come across does. A must see.

reply

<< It has moments of comedy as well. When the film finally gets around to interviewing Sy Rogers, who was at the time the president of Exodus, it gets positively campy. Rogers is so feminine that the whole thing literally becomes surreal. Put him in a dress and he would have been more convincing as a woman than he was as a man. >>

I'm not saying this to be mean, but at first I REALLY didn't know if this Sy Rogers person was male or female. Then it ocurred to me if he were a woman and in this Christians for Change Movement, s/he would be dressed in a hyper feminine way, not wearing slacks and a sports shirt. That was pretty much the only clue, though.

Someone has to do a follow up documentary at the 20 anniversary mark and see if these "changed" people stayed that way, what they have to say in retrospect (no regardless of how they're living now), etc.

It's a really dramatic subject.

reply

<<I'm not saying this to be mean, but at first I REALLY didn't know if this Sy Rogers person was male or female. Then it ocurred to me if he were a woman and in this Christians for Change Movement, s/he would be dressed in a hyper feminine way, not wearing slacks and a sports shirt. That was pretty much the only clue, though.>>

Seriously LOLOL ><


Never mess with a middle-aged, Bipolar queen with AIDS and an attitude problem!
><

reply

I'm watching this on Netflix. I couldn't figure out if Sy Rogers was male or female, either. The voice sounded feminine and the slim body looked feminine. It wasn't until they showed him with his wife that I realized it was a man.

What a strange documentary. The treatments seem barbaric. As a straight woman, I never recall "choosing" to be straight. It was just built into my brain. I think it's the same for gays. It's just built into their brain. Why make someone miserable or force them to live a certain lifestyle if the outcome is crippling depression or suicide? Seems like a waste of time and energy on the part of the "therapists."

reply

Fortunately the "ex-gay" movement appears to be on its way out; so far as I know every reputable psychiatric and psychological association has spoken out against it and the only "professionals" left who are practicing this type of "therapy" are either on the fringes or completely disowned by their peers.

Never mess with a middle-aged, Bipolar queen with AIDS and an attitude problem!
><

reply

Just came across this recently on Netflix. I tried finding out if things had changed for Sy, but I did learn he did live as a woman for 18 months prior to "finding God" & changing. This may explain why his mannerisms. & appearance are really feminine.

But it appears over 20 years after this movie he's still married to a woman & stated he's an "ex-gay". At this point I think he's just found a way to make a living and he believes he's pleases God which makes him happy. To each their own.

reply

makes one wonder why some straight people are SO fixated on a small group of people (gays and lesbians) that aren't actually hurting anyone. What's the point???

Remember the Evil Queen in Snow White that killed anyone that was prettier, happier, and more talented than she? Well...same principle.

I think it's called: "Setting the proper example and keeping me at the top".

Let's see, Jesus was single, his preferred company was men, he could walk on water, he was much loved by the public...yep, he's got to go!

Now we know who crucified Jesus...Christians!

After all, they believe that sacrifices are a "good thing".

!!!Scrooge for President!!!

reply

WOW. Awesome. This is a great post!


DRAGON¸.•´¸.•*´¨)SWAK ¸.•*¨¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*¨
(¸.•´ ¸.•*¨¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*¨(¸.•´ ¸.•´¸.•*´¨)

reply

<<Now we know who crucified Jesus...Christians!>>

Umm...were you joking? Because it isn't true. Jesus was crucified by the Romans (who were Pagans) at the instigation of a handful of Jewish Fundamentalists.


Never mess with a middle-aged, Bipolar queen with AIDS and an attitude problem!
><

reply

[deleted]

I also couldnt tell if Sy Rogers was male or female. I wonder if he is still denying his true self and living as a heterosexual. Sad, for him and his wife and kids. No one should be brainwashed and feel they have to live a lie on order to avoid religious damnation.

reply