foreword
"Conversion Therapy" refers to a series of measures taken to try to change an individual's sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression and other characteristics. At present, various forms of "torsion therapy" have been confirmed by the mainstream medical and psychological circles as "unscientific and harmful" behaviors. In reality, "torsion therapy" exists as a form of violence against minorities. Many LGBTQ young people undergo "conversion therapy" under the persuasion, coercion, and even kidnapping of their families. According to a random inspection conducted by the LGBT Rights Promotion Association and other institutions in 2014, a total of 107 psychological counseling or related medical institutions carried out "reversal therapy" business in different ways. Today, in addition to the above-mentioned "professional" institutions, some "Internet addiction rehabilitation schools" and individuals also make huge profits.
Hidden behind the high cost of "treatment" is the kidnapping of family affection and the structural oppression brought about by the patriarchal system—that is, once it violates the mainstream values of current propaganda, it may face the risk of "reversal". The current limited public discussion provides a warm space for the stigmatization of a few people to grow maliciously. The mobility of the "minority" is becoming more and more apparent - such as the impact of the epidemic on us - then, when we are classified as a minority/marginal group for different reasons at any time, the suffering of TA people at this moment will also be different. land on everyone.
"Homeless with a Cabinet" describes the loneliness, helplessness, and even hopelessness of survivors of "torsion therapy". "You have cabinets" refers to their personal identities, such as their sexual orientation and gender identity, which are difficult to express to the outside world; "homeless" means that because they are sent by their families to receive "reversal therapy", they should be harmonious, safe and happy. The family that protected them was permanently broken, and the family became a place for the hurting ones. What they have lost is not only the external "home", but also the inner "home", including the loss of sense of security and trust, they have become extremely lonely, and it is difficult for them to connect and connect with others. Because the place where they once thought they could connect has been completely lost. The state of "homeless" adds to the difficulty of "having a cabinet". The two influence each other in a cycle, making them more isolated and difficult to seek help. A survey report by Beijing LGBT+ in 2014 pointed out that the primary reason for individuals to receive “reversal therapy” was “for their parents,” which undoubtedly exacerbated the individual’s alienation and even a break from the family. A client once said after a healing session with a Torsion Therapy Survivor Psychological Support Group:
"Before this, I only noticed the demise of the family, but I didn't realize that the sense of security was almost non-existent, and I believed that there was no longer anything to guarantee personal safety, so the imagined safe space was nothing but the ground."
But every tiny voice and action is a process of breaking the existing rules and building a safe space. To this end, we try to invite everyone to face the absurdity of reality through exhibitions and related activities. The online exhibition hall organizes a brief history of the evolution of "torsion therapy" and the specific situation in China. Through the time axis, we can see the different situations of individuals more clearly, as well as the actions and efforts of the people for this purpose; ”, by screening the remarks and consultation methods of doctors or related institutions on torsion therapy, reorganizing the discourse, and randomly generating a diagnosis of torsion that is exclusive to itself, in an absurd way to feel the absurdity of reality; “Testimony” collects The different objects and instruments encountered by the client during the "treatment", we will see many familiar objects in daily life, which have become tools of "reversal therapy" here; "Lovers" is the joint work of artist Wu Laobai and gay policeman Lin He. Launched an artistic movement to protest "reversal therapy". In addition, we will also invite everyone to draw or write their own safety elements to build an online safety space.
This is not only an open online database, but more importantly, the voice of the parties can be conveyed in different ways. At the same time, through the publication of "What to Do When Encountered with Torsion Therapy?" Torsion Therapy Coping Handbook, we also organized several roundtable talks online as a supplement to specific cases and action methods. Perhaps, this series of activities still cannot allow us to fully understand the plight of the clients in conversion therapy, but we still hope that through this method, more people can gain a basic understanding of “reversal therapy”, and sincerely invite everyone to explore and think together : How should we connect with each other to build a wider safe space, rather than "there is no home".
Wu Laobai, Chen Junmi