Film Director Graham Streeter from the Feature Film UNFIX (2023) (unfixmovie.com) organizes what is sure to be a sensitive and controversial evening as he rolls out a feature film that exposes the cruelty of Conversion Therapy, years after its victims have been subject to it. Following the film, Streeter has brought together an unlikely combination of people for a panel discussion: both Ex Conversion Therapy Camp Leader and Victim of Conversion Therapy, intended to be a sensitive but safe discussion. Happening on August 24 at the Palm Springs Cultural Center/Camelot Theatres at 4:00pm as part of the Official Selection of Feature Film programming for 16th Annual Cinema Diverse LGBTQ+ Film Festival 2023.
CONTROVERSIAL Q&A TO FOLLOW FILM
With the film fresh in their heads, we continue an honest and brave discussion, bringing the topic of Conversion Therapy on a truthful human level. Along with our actors we boldly welcome Ex Conversion Therapy Leader Michael Bussee (now a member of the Former Ex-Gay Leader Alliance) along with various Conversion Therapy victims, along with psychiatrists and others to help navigate a healthy but frank conversation. to break down how conversion therapy ever started and where we are going from here.
We remind the Palm Springs Film Festival audience that conversion therapy is just one of many issues we need to keep fighting. Over 520 anti-LGBTQ bills have been introduced in state legislature this year alone. Over 220 bills specifically target TransGender and NON-binary people. 70 Anti-LGBTQ laws enacted thus far. 15 laws banning gender affirming care for transgender youth. Seven laws REQUIRING or allowing MIS-gendering of transgender students. Two laws targeting drag performances. Three laws creating a license to discriminate. And four laws censoring school curriculum and books.
We are committed to a safe and respectful discussion but controversial all the same. Your presence helps underline the importance our community must participate in our democratic process to assure this does not happen again, and that other human rights issues that are on the chopping block can be stopped by getting involved and doing our part.
THE FILM
The highly-anticipated film, UNFIX, is set to make its Palm Springs premiere at the prestigious 16th Annual Cinema Diverse LGBTQ+ Film Festival. But the filmmakers are using the film to bring together some of the Conversion Therapy’s most famous faces to find a place to work together.
Although a narrative feature film, UNFIX (Drama, 102mins) masterfully leaves the audience with the understanding that Conversion Therapy is still happening. It is all around us, sadly, under the premise that children, leaning toward anything other than heterosexuality, have a mental disorder and should be fixed.
Directed by native Sacramento Filmmaker Graham Streeter, UNFIX cleverly explores the aftermath of a young boy thrust into the spotlight of the conversion therapy movement of the 1990s, who must now navigate this present world as a “fixed” adult. Ari (Zane Haney) and his professional and romantic partner, Ava (Zoë Papia), are childhood friends who run a coffee shop together. Their store is about to fold as the COVID lockdown has shuttered their business. But this is just the tip of the iceberg of the problems Ari and Ava face.
Ari was once the center of attention in the conversion therapy movement. His father was the founder of the largest conversion “camp” in the U.S., and Ari was the foundation’s poster child. He was “fixed” at age eleven, but the methods endured left an indelible mark. The overarching theme of Unfix is to show the devastating state that conversion therapy left its patients/victims.
WHY CONVERESION THERAPY?
The film comes at a time when cities like across the country report a 50% increase in hate crimes within one year, and over 520 anti-LGBTQ+ bills have been introduced in state legislatures, a record. Over 220 bills specifically target transgender and non-binary people, also a record; and a record 70 anti-LGBTQ laws have been enacted so far this year, including 15 Laws banning gender affirming care for transgender youth: 7 Laws requiring or allowing misgendering of transgender students: 2 Laws targeting drag performances: 3 Laws creating a license to discriminate: 4 Laws censoring school curriculum, including book.
According to the 2023 Trevor Project National Survey, they found that 15% of LGBTQ young people reported being threatened with or subjected to conversion therapy including nearly 1 in 5 transgender and nonbinary young people and nearly 1 in 10 cisgender young people. This is an increase from previous years. And for LGBTQ young people who attempted suicide in the past year, 28% were threatened with Conversion Therapy and 28% were subjected to Conversion Therapy.
SCREENING FOLLOWED BY DISCUSSION PANEL
SEP 24TH @ 4:00PM Screening (104mins) (occupancy 530)
SEP 24th @ 5:50pm Discussion Panel immediately following film in theatre.
The Palm Springs premiere of UNFIX at the renowned 16th Annual Cinema Diverse Palm Springs Film Festival marks a significant milestone for the film. Cinema Diverse is dedicated to advancing and further strengthening our diverse gay community through the establishment of a world-class film festival that presents lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender cinema from around the world.