Gravitas Ventures Acquires Doc On “Deadly Practice” Of Conversion Therapy, Built Around Survivor Stories
deadline.comEXCLUSIVE: The American Psychiatric Association urges “ethical practitioners” to “refrain from attempts to change individuals’ sexual orientation” and it supports legislation that would ban “reparative” or conversion therapies that purport to be able to change someone from gay to straight.
The Human Rights Campaign says, “[C]onversion therapy can lead to depression, anxiety, drug use, homelessness, and suicide.” Nonetheless, the practice remains legal in 19 states (its status is being litigated in three other states).
Into this contested space enters the documentary Conversion, directed by Zach Meiners. Gravitas Ventures today announced it is acquiring U.S.
and Canadian distribution rights to the film which has won awards at Film Invasion Los Angeles and the Portland Film Festival. “A story by survivors, Conversion takes us on a personal and cinematic journey as a filmmaker, an ex-Mormon mom, and a famous drag queen unite to overcome the mental and physical impacts of enduring conversion ‘therapy,’” notes a description of the documentary. “When filmmaker Zach Meiners discovered that his former conversion ‘therapist’ was still active, he began an endeavor to amplify and empower the voices of survivors, and expose the secretive and often deadly industry.” The documentary includes interviews with doctors, experts, and the founder of “one of the most expansive conversion ‘therapy’ networks in the U.S., per a release. “Conversion is a thought provoking insight into a dangerous underground industry that is constantly rebranding, adapting and growing to this day.
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