June 25, 2021
Willkie held a screening of CURED in celebration of Pride Month, which was co-hosted by the LGBTQ Affinity Group and the Diversity and Inclusion Committee.
The documentary takes viewers inside the David-versus-Goliath battle that led the American Psychiatric Association to remove homosexuality from its manual of mental illnesses in 1973. As long as the medical establishment considered homosexuality a pathology, progress toward equality was impossible because business and government used the mental-illness label to justify discrimination.
CURED highlights a story from the past — with lessons that are profoundly relevant today. The film illuminates the elements of effective leadership, the importance of allies and coalitions, the process of bringing about systemic social change, and the power of staying true to one’s authentic self. Ultimately, the documentary demonstrates that even in the face of seemingly insurmountable obstacles, systemic change is possible.
The screening was followed by a discussion and Q&A which was hosted by associate Justin Garbacz and included activist and film interviewee, Reverend Magora Kennedy, and co-directors Patrick Sammon and Bennett Singer.
The CURED panel members shed insight on the catalyst for the creation of the documentary, discussed the process of unearthing archives to use as material and the importance of striking a balance when showing sensitive footage that is essential to the story and to history. The panel members shared their personal experience and provided historical knowledge and expanded on the documentary. The Q&A portion included answers to questions such as how to address microaggressions in this day and age, and how to stay true to who we are.
Learn more about the film here.
