How many people can say that they cured 20 million people of a mental illness overnight? Frank Kameny and Barbara Gittings can. Watch this triumphant roller coaster account of how they take on the psychiatric establishment, armed with data from Evelyn Hooker and other pioneering researchers. Watch a brave psychiatrist testify to his colleagues in a full mask to convey the personal and professional impact of decades of scientifically unsupported characterizations of homosexuality as a mental illness. Watch people twist with discomfort as the things they have been saying on record for years are completely disproven.
This briskly paced documentary manages to make professional society committee meetings interesting and focuses on the personal stories of those who risked everything to speak truth to power. It is an absolute joy to watch these legendary activists in action – spoiler alert, many of them go on to found many of the organizations who have done the most for the LGBTQIA+ community. Science wins and love wins in this uplifting film.
– Lisa Aspinwall, Damn These Heels programming committee member
