The Psychology and Sociology Department, the PRIDE Club and the Psychology and Sociology Club are sponsoring the upcoming campus screening of the documentary “CURED”.   

The film will be screening Oct. 2 in Gardner auditorium.  Doors will open at 5:30 p.m. and the film will start at 6 p.m. The screening will then be followed by a Q&A session with one of the directors of the film, Bennett Singer. 

“CURED” tells the story of the activists who brought about a pivotal but little-known victory for the movement for LGBTQ equality: the American Psychiatric Association’s 1973 decision to remove the diagnosis of homosexuality from its manual of mental disorders. 

“This film highlights a major point in history when we saw activism and science come together to the conclusion that there is no evidence that homosexuality is a disease”, Jeff Shelton, head of the Psychology and Sociology Department and adviser to PRIDE club said.  “It’s a major historical event that no film has ever captured before.” 

Bennett Singer and co-director of the film Patrick Sammon said in their directors’ statement that “while “CURED” is indisputably about science, medicine and politics, at its core, it is a film about activism and the process of social change. It features a diverse group of crusaders with stubborn dedication and big personalities who came together at a crossroads in LGBTQ history.” 

“These unlikely heroes’ passion for justice—coupled with their refusal to accept psychiatry’s declaration that they were sick—propels the story. We were honored to meet and interview many of the key participants who put their bodies and reputations on the line in pursuit of this cause.” 

The screening of the film was arranged by alumnus Ron Holt, who will serve as the master of ceremonies for the night. Holt is a strong supporter of the LGBTQ community and a prominent public speaker and author. He knew Singer previously and was able to arrange for him to come speak about the film here in Wayne.  

Shelton said showing the film “goes along the lines of our mission to bring forward educational material to Wayne State College.” 

The story is narrated entirely by people who lived through these major historical events. 

“It’s a really well-done piece of history featuring the individuals who were there,” Shelton said. “This is a cohort of individuals who are in the last few chapters of their lives, and it is important to get their stories and share their stories.”