When most of us think about conversion therapy, we know our conversations are bound to be polarising. However, conversion therapy is an old psychological process involved in converting homosexual people into acting heterosexual. Most people feel strongly in one direction or another once they learn this is the case.
If you’re interested in learning more about the subject, you may want to watch a conversion therapy movie or documentary. This might allow you to learn about the opposing side’s perspectives, get educated about the history of the practice, and understand the consequences and effects that come upon those who undergo conversion therapies.
By watching a conversion therapy movie, you may stretch your mind and reach a better understanding of the practice. So allow us to break down everything you might want to know about what you might learn from a conversion therapy movie, and keep reading.
Connect to characters
If you are interested in watching a conversion therapy movie, you may allow yourself to connect more closely with characters in a way that feels more personal. This may be especially helpful if you don’t know anyone who has gone through conversion or you haven’t gone through the therapy personally. The process can feel quite intense, and only hearing facts about this type of therapy can make it challenging to understand the subject thoroughly.
Following characters through a conversion therapy movie allows you to be more empathetic. This is because you can get more context for their feelings, see how they react even when other characters aren’t in the same room, and better understand the aftermath of everyone’s actions. In some ways, this allows for a full conversion therapy experience from multiple perspectives.
See the side of the therapist
If you decide to see a conversion therapy movie, you may be able to see the perspective of the therapist who is leading the conversion therapy sessions. This might allow you to see their moral beliefs, humanize them, and watch their reactions to conversation topics they may not usually face on their own time.
Many conversion therapists follow the Christian faith, as well as other religions, with views against homosexuality. But, unfortunately, some of these therapists may not realize the mental harm they’re causing their patients, and they might even believe they are doing good work and saving people destined for awful fates in the afterlife.
Although intentions may not reverse actions and their negative results, it makes it far easier for audience members to understand where the therapist is coming from. This may even be the case if you’re on the opposite side of the therapist, including those who don’t believe it’s wrong to be homosexual.
While they still may not agree with the therapist’s actions, more liberal audience members may realize the necessity of approaching others with humanity rather than anger. They may also learn that people are more likely to listen to other viewpoints if they come to them with kindness and understanding.
See the patient’s point of view
If you’re of the opposite point of view, you may benefit from seeing the patient’s perspective. This is because you’ll be able to see the humanity of this person as well, even if you don’t wholly agree with their thoughts, desires, or actions.
The potency of the emotional reactions is particularly interesting from this point of view. Many patients of conversion therapy initially have the Christian faith, as many of them are raised with the specific religious beliefs of their parents. Because of this, many patients experience a great deal of shame and want to be able to change their sexualities.
While not every movie about conversion therapy will have the exact same storyline, there is generally growth for every main character involved. The patient may learn that there is no reason to feel shame and slowly feel better about their sexualities and themselves overall. Likewise, the therapist may grow to understand their patients are not trying to be malicious or anger their God.
Those who have religious beliefs that disagree with homosexuality may appreciate the patient perspective for similar reasons, learning that their beliefs cause a significant amount of turmoil for those who are forced to partake in conversion therapies. This may not change their beliefs, but it might allow certain audience members to treat others with greater kindness and humanity.
Takeaway
If you’re thinking about watching a conversion therapy movie or documentary, you may be surprised how much you’ll be able to learn. No matter which perspective you agree with, you’re likely to walk away with a broader understanding of personal beliefs and action intentions. Additionally, from either perspective, you may feel a deeper connection between the characters and those who have experienced conversion therapy in general.
David Tobin did his degree in psychology at the University of Hertfordshire. He is interested in mental health, wellness, and lifestyle.
