Changing Our Minds: The Story of Dr. Evelyn Hooker

Changing Our Minds: The Story of Dr. Evelyn Hooker is a 1991 documentary film by Academy Award-winning director Richard Schmiechen.

Still from "Changing Our Minds"

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Production Information

• Title: Changing Our Minds: The Story of Dr. Evelyn Hooker
• Director: Richard Schmiechen
• Year: 1991
• Country: USA
• Length: 75 min.
• Language: English

Synopsis

Academy Award winning director Richard Schmiechen (The Times of Harvey Milk) vividly portrays the life and work of the woman described by the Los Angeles Times as "The Rosa Parks of Gay Rights" in Changing Our Minds: The Story of Dr. Evelyn Hooker.

During the repressive 1950's, Dr. Evelyn Hooker undertook ground breaking research that led to a radical discovery: homosexuals were not, by definition, "sick." Dr. Hooker's finding sent shock waves through the psychiatric community and culminated in a major victory for gay rights -- in 1974 the weight of her studies, along with gay activism, forced the American Psychiatric Association to remove homosexuality from its official manual of mental disorders. Startling archival footage of the medical procedure used to "cure" homosexuality, images from the underground gay world of the McCarthy era and home movies of literary icon Christopher Isherwood bring to life history which we must never forget. Dr. Hooker's insights into gay marriage and the gay community (a term she coined), and the filmmakers' winning approach make this documentary education at its most exciting and enjoyable.

Narrated by Patrick Stewart.

Awards

Best Documentary, San Francisco International Lesbian & Gay Film Festival

Academy Award© nominee "Best Documentary Feature"

Reviews

"This is a valuable educational film for the general public to understand who gays and lesbians are, the journey they've taken and the fact that scientists have said for decades now that they are not ill." - Los Angeles Times

“Excellent. Fascinating...” - Sheron Rosen, PFLAG Maryland

“Changing Our Minds is a remarkable documentary about a remarkable woman...Based on extensive interviews, Evelyn Hooker’s dignity, humanity, and belief in the power of love shine through. This film celebrates the wisdom and courage of those who dare to challenge what they believe to be wrong and recognizes the many individuals who helped make gay and lesbian rights possible. Students and scholars of gay and lesbian history, women’s studies, and psychology will find this a particularly valuable film.” - Nancy C. Unger, Associate Professor, History, Women's and Gender Studies, Santa Clara University

Distribution Information

Distributed by Frameline[1]

External Links

No Secret Anymore on www.frameline.org [2]