SYNOPSIS
In the US alone, over 698,000 people have been subjected to the often deadly practice known as Conversion Therapy.
In 2018, filmmaker Zach Meiners discovered that his former conversion therapist was still practicing. Struggling with the trauma of his own experience, Zach began an endeavor to amplify and empower the voices of survivors, and expose the secretive and often deadly practices of conversion therapy.
CONVERSION takes us on the cinematic and personal journeys of survivors, as they move through the mental and physical harms of conversion therapy, and find the hope and strength to fight against it.
Conversion therapy has become an underground industry, constantly rebranding, adapting, and growing. In discussions of conversion therapy, survivors are often left out of the conversation. And the most vulnerable members of our community, children, are left without a voice, choice, or pathway out of the trauma being inflicted on them. Ultimately, CONVERSION is a story of survival and hope.
Meet the Survivors from CONVERSION
Elena Joy
(she/her)
Dustin Rayburn
(they/ them)
Zach Meiners
(he/ him)
THE
TEAM
PRODUCTION COMPANY
CHRONICLE CINEMA
PRODUCED BY
LEILANI GUSHIKEN
TAYLOR YOUNG
BRAD WAGSTER
JOSH COVINGTON
MARC SINGER
MUSIC BY
BLAKE ALLEN
EDITED BY
BRAD WAGSTER
EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS
ZACH MEINERS
STEVE BASS
TERRI BASS
SHIMMY BRAUN
DIRECTED BY
ZACH MEINERS
Directors Note
Four years ago, I got a call from my mom asking me about my conversion therapist. Though it had been over 10 years since my parents had put me into conversion therapy, the memories instantly came rushing back. I was shocked to learn that he was not only still practicing, but that a family friend was sending their child to be cured for being gay. Conversion therapy nearly destroyed my life, and I knew I had to do something. So I began reaching out to other survivors, and as a filmmaker, it became clear that I had to begin sharing their stories and take a hard look at the underground world of conversion therapy and ex-gay ministry.
Ultimately, “Conversion” is a story of survival and hope.
Elena Joy Thurston
(She/ Her)
Elena Joy Thurston is an inspirational LGBTQ+ speaker, trainer, author and founder of the nonprofit Pride and Joy Foundation - which is dedicated to building self-awareness and safety for LGBTQ families and their allies. Elena goes by the pronouns she/her.
Dustin Rayburn
(They/ Them)
Dustin Rayburn is an entertainer and activist, best known by their stage name Dusty Ray Bottoms. Dustin's story of going through conversion therapy first came to prominence while on the Emmy Award winning show "RuPaul's Drag Race." Since then, Dustin has used their platform to support organizations both in the US and abroad, including The Trevor Project and The Amandla Development. Dustin goes by the pronouns they/them.
Zach Meiners
(He/ Him)
Zach Meiners has been finding creative ways to tell stories since he learned to talk, having directed his first feature before the age of 21, for which he won a student Emmy Award. Since then, Zach has gone on to become an accomplished director, producer, and entrepreneur as the founder and president of Chronicle Cinema.
Zach has worked with politicians and community leaders in the fight for LGBTQ+ rights, and continues his commitment to amplify queer voices and put and end to conversion therapy. Zach uses he/him pronouns.
About Chronicle
Chronicle Cinema is a centralized hub, utilizing the industry’s leading equipment and facilities, and gathering the fields most creative minds to do what they do best: create.
A full service media and production company with clients all over the world, Chronicle Cinema holds a wide range of expertise, including: brand films, feature films, drone cinematography, animation, and virtual event production.
Learn more at www.chroniclecinema.com