An unflinching look at the journeys of four people who claim to have changed their sexual orientation from gay to straight.
CHASING THE DEVIL: INSIDE THE EX-GAY MOVEMENT, is a documentary film presenting an unflinching look at the personal journeys of four people who claim to have changed their sexual orientation from gay to straight. Their stories mark the first time documentary filmmakers have been allowed inside the ex-gay movement, and provide an empathetic and at times devastating portrait of those who claim homosexuality is an illness that can be healed.
John Sterback is a member of the most politically incorrect subculture in America. He’s a self-described ‘Ex-gay’, someone who claims to have changed his sexual orientation from gay to straight. Richard Cohen is John’s inspiration. He represents the face of the ex-gay movement, while working hard to hide his own controversial past. CHASING THE DEVIL uncovers the truth behind the claims of reparative therapists who attack gay identity as nothing more than a developmental disorder that can be fixed witha healthy dose of therapy and prayer. Joanne Highley and Peterson Toscano take viewers even deeper, inside the world of ex-gay ministries—specifically journeying inside New York City’s Life Ministry, where Demons are believed to cause homosexuality and exorcisms are the preferred form of treatment.
An official selection at several prestigious film festivals, CHASING THE DEVIL will shock, amaze and sadden you, while revealing the lengths that people will go to deny painful truths, or to fit in with a culture that shuns them.
CHASING THE DEVIL: INSIDE THE EX-GAY MOVEMENT, is a documentary film presenting an unflinching look at the personal journeys of four people who claim to have changed their sexual orientation from gay to straight. Their stories mark the first time documentary filmmakers have been allowed inside the ex-gay movement, and provide an empathetic and at times devastating portrait of those who claim homosexuality is an illness that can be healed.
John Sterback is a member of the most politically incorrect subculture in America. He’s a self-described ‘Ex-gay’, someone who claims to have changed his sexual orientation from gay to straight. Richard Cohen is John’s inspiration. He represents the face of the ex-gay movement, while working hard to hide his own controversial past. CHASING THE DEVIL uncovers the truth behind the claims of reparative therapists who attack gay identity as nothing more than a developmental disorder that can be fixed witha healthy dose of therapy and prayer. Joanne Highley and Peterson Toscano take viewers even deeper, inside the world of ex-gay ministries—specifically journeying inside New York City’s Life Ministry, where Demons are believed to cause homosexuality and exorcisms are the preferred form of treatment.
An official selection at several prestigious film festivals, CHASING THE DEVIL will shock, amaze and sadden you, while revealing the lengths that people will go to deny painful truths, or to fit in with a culture that shuns them.
Give me a break. This is such a weak film I’m ashamed to say I watched it. I kept going thinking it was going to get better. It’s nothing but a lame attempt to make those who are actually out there trying to make a positive difference in the lives of those seeking help look bad. It’s not hard to find people to make fun of, I could find thousands who believe just as you do that homosexuality is perfectly fine and who are hypocrites, who use questionable methods to promote your agenda etc. You would do better to make a film attempting to prove your theory that you are born homosexual or one that attempts to show how great being a homo evidently is but we never see that. You’re simply doing what you accuse the religious right of doing: feeding your flock what they want to hear. Basically you’re saying to the people in the film who are hurting and seeking help “There’s nothing wrong with you! Accept yourself! You’re OK!” when they know they’re not. I admire them for seeking help from the only ones who are offering it. Just telling someone they are not sick does not make them well, offering them a way out that has worked for others does.
Posted 12/03/09 by david
this just enrages me for the simple fact that homosexuality is always tied to religion. what if you aren’t religious what then? how would you “cure” these people of their homosexuality. another point i want to make out is that if god loves you for who you are why do i have to be heterosexual to receive gods love? why must i be condemned for who i am? why can’t i live my life that way i want to. homosexuality isn’t a sin, its not unnatural, not a mental disease, not a virus, none of that. being gay simply means you like the same sex. why its that so hard to accept? another question does it say in the bible that homosexuality is a sin? how is it a sin? because you love someone of the same sex? well can u consider love a sin? well to finish my comment i just want to say that you love who you love. if you don’t agree with homosexuality fine. at least give us the respect we deserve. you shouldn’t treat us as if we are criminals and sexual beasts that would do anything to get what they want. we are human beings. we are entitled to love whoever we wish. i have chosen to love men not woman why should you demoralize me and treat me as less of a person? final question should you go to hell if your homosexual and you have done nothing bad?
By David 16 brooklyn NY
Posted 11/17/09 by Dexter
As a straight guy I have to say that these pray the gay away people are one step away from the most evil group in the USA, the westbourgh baptist cult (church). I love how that old woman, so full of hate, says she’s going to minister to gay people and JEWS...that’s a comparison that sounds fighteningly familiar...out of about 1933 in Germany. There’s nothing wrong with gay people. My gay friends aren’t sinners (okay some of them are but not for being gay). These people are completely out of their minds. Leave gay people alone and let them live their lives. And give them the same rights that straight guys like I have. I would like to say to the god people please stop using Jesus as an excuse for being a narrow minded, biggoted jerk.
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