Periodically, IPI sponsors or cosponsors special conferences or lectures on topics of current interest. These conferences are open to all; participants do not need to be enrolled in an IPI training program to attend. These presentations are open to registration by non-clinicians and do not provide continuing education credit.

About the Presentation:

On Monday, November 13th at 6:30 pm ET in honor of Transgender Awareness Week, IPI will host a screening of the documentary, CURED. This film illuminates a pivotal yet largely unknown chapter in the struggle for LGBTQ equality: the campaign that led the American Psychiatric Association (APA) to remove homosexuality from its manual of mental illnesses. Before this momentous 1973 decision, the medical establishment viewed every gay and lesbian person as diseased and in need of a cure. Business and government used the mental-illness classification to justify discrimination and bigotry. As long as lesbians and gay men were “sick,” progress toward equality was nearly impossible. Indeed, following the Stonewall rebellion of 1969, the battle that culminated in the APA’s decision marked the first major step on the path to first-class citizenship for LGBTQ Americans. CURED sheds new light on this victory — which was far from inevitable — while situating the APA story within the larger context of the modern movement for LGBTQ equality.

This event includes a virtual screening of the 55-minute film, followed by a panel discussion featuring one of the project’s co-directors, Patrick Sammon, Bennett Singer, and Dr. Jack Drescher, psychiatrist and psychoanalyst.

Described as “fascinating” (Hollywood Reporter), “riveting” (The Queer Review), and “one of the best documentaries of this or any year” (British Film Institute) – and nominated for an Emmy Award last year – CURED takes viewers inside the David-versus-Goliath battle that led the American Psychiatric Association to remove the diagnosis of homosexuality from its manual of mental illnesses in 1973.

Watch the trailer for the film.

While this powerful film chronicles a little-known story from the past, its lessons are profoundly relevant today. Ultimately, the documentary celebrates the pathbreaking contributions of LGBTQ pioneers while demonstrating that even in the face of seemingly insurmountable obstacles, lasting social change is possible.

IPI is proud to partner with the producers of CURED to offer this event to our community and hope you’ll join us on November 13th to watch and discuss this inspiring film!