CURING "DEVIANCE"
Individuals outside of the cis-gender, heteronormative paradigm often found themselves in the hands of medical "experts" seeking to cure them of their "deviance." To this day, over 35 states still allow conversion therapy within their borders.
PLEASE NOTE: Images and descriptions displayed in this museum may be disturbing for some viewers.
Discretion advised.
ELECTRODE BRAIN IMPLANTS
In the early 1970s, Robert Heath conducted several studies designed to “cure” homosexuality by use of electroshock therapy, LSD, and septal brain stimulation via electrode head implants. He claimed one such subject in particular, B-19, was a huge success.
[Image: Ars Technica. A man with electrodes implanted in his brain.]
TRANSGENDER CONVERSION THERAPY
Conversion therapy is a process known for its purported intention of “correcting” homosexual behavior, often advocated for religious and secular groups alike. One such demographic which is also affected by conversion therapy is that of transgender people, particularly transgender youth.
[Image: LGBTQ Nation. This billboard advertising the website of David Pickup, a conversion therapist. It was put up alongside an interstate highway in Dallas, Texas. Impact Outdoor Advertising claimed they had been told that Pickup was advertising for couples’ therapy, before the billboard was subsequently removed.]
EXPERIMENTAL HORMONE INJECTIONS
In 1939-1940, a male subject of the Northampton State Hospital with feminine gender expression and an attraction to men was treated with various sex hormones, some intended only for veterinarian use, in order to examine their effects on personality and behavior.
[Image: Agroline. A photo of Folligon, a veterinarian-use gonadotropic serum derived from pregnant mares - the intended use of this serum is induction of ovulation in cows, heifers, sheep and goat, as well as general fertility treatment. This is a similar substance as was used to dose A.D.]
CURING THE HOMOSEXUAL POPULATION WITH "MEDICINE"
As homosexuality became referenced as a despised characteristic in society in the mid 20th century, the use of electroconvulsive therapy seemed to be the researchers primary “cure” for individuals with homosexual thoughts and desires.
[Otis Historical Archives National Museum of Health and Medicine, 2009. The image to the right is depicting a man undergoing medical treatment using electroconvulsive therapy to treat his undesired thought of homosexual tendencies]
QUEERNESS AS CONTAGION
Oftentimes, especially in mass media, queerness is perceived as a contagion, similar to a disease or illness. What are the consequences of this?
[Image: Rayne, Robin. Supporters of Georgia’s transgender and nonbinary community during Gay Pride Festival’s Transgender Rights March in Atlanta on Saturday, Oct. 12, 2019.]
INTERSEX NON-CONSENSUAL SURGERIES
Intersex individuals are people who have sex characteristics that do not align with strictly male or female. While Intersex people are just as normal and healthy as anyone else, many are forced to have traumatic harmful surgeries at a very young age.
[Image: Abrams, Hunter. People rally to end intersex surgeries in New York City. Photograph. 2018. Image depicts people protesting against surgeries being performed upon intersex children.]
THE GAY "SICKNESS"
For almost twenty years homosexuality was considered to be a mental disorder by the APA. This played a role in the heightened discrimination against queer people that can still be seen today.
[Image: Wandel, Richard C., Photographer. The LGBT Community Center National History Archive. Image depicts a large group of people in the middle of a protest against the idea that being a homosexual means being sick, a belief that was created with the assistance of the APA categorizing homosexuality as a mental disorder.]