In the early sixties, a sexually conflicted teenager finds faith and acceptance after escaping the tortures of electrotherapeutic conversion therapy.
The events that inspired this story are based partly on historical occurrences and partly on the experiences of the producer and director. In the mid 70’s, 13 subjects willingly enrolled themselves in a study of “electric aversion therapy” conducted by a BYU graduate student. Between 1971-1989, gay soldiers in the South African Defense Forces underwent chemical castration and medical torture (including the use of electric shocks) to “cure” them of their homosexuality under a program called The Aversion Project. Shock machines were available for in-home use during the mid 20th century, until the APA declassified homosexuality as a mental illness.
These days, electroshock therapy is a blatant violation of human rights. Instead of these physical methods being used, licensed therapists use verbal lashings under a faux cloak of faith-based lessons. Conversion therapy is becoming more obsolete, but is still legal in more than 40 states. It is our hope this film will shine a spotlight on the horrors of what continues to be a serious, life-effecting issue among LGBT minors.
Thank you.
Benjamin Howard graduated from San Diego State University in 2017, where he earned a degree in Television, Film and New Media. His work in the film department at San Diego State earned him an award for Excellence in Film Directing in the spring of 2017. Benjamin’s short films have seen a number of successful festival runs, having earned numerous awards and accolades along the way.
In 1973, the American Psychiatric Association removed homosexuality from their official list of mental disorders. Prior to this, homosexuals were often viewed as inferior beings, treated in vulgar, often torturous ways, to “cure” them of their lifestyles. Deviant provides a small glimpse into this. The story presented in Deviant takes a young teenager, whose sexual preference comes into direct conflict with his faith and family.
The development of Deviant involved hours upon hours of preparation and research. In an effort to tell this story with the utmost sense of credibility, I reached out to numerous sources who had personal experience with electroshock therapy. The stories I heard and the feedback I received were directly implemented into the direction of Deviant. Additionally, my experiences in seeing a counselor after coming out as gay to my own parents helped in providing authentic direction to our protagonist, played by the talented Rudy Pankow.
I made conscious efforts to present a pro-faith and pro-LGBT story in heading Deviant. The execution during shooting was a phenomenal experience, and one in which the final product, I believe, is evident. The closing church sequence was a result of improvisation and good luck; most of the shots seen in the sanctuary towards the conclusion of the short were not shot-listed nor planned; a happy accident indeed.
Deviant is the culmination of two years of film production study done at San Diego State University, and I am incredibly grateful to have worked with so many talented artists in putting the project together.