Gay shock therapy still in use in China | Unreported World

Summary

Undercover footage reveals the existence of gay conversion therapy in China, where activists risk their safety to expose clinics offering treatments like electric shock 'cures'. Despite homosexuality being legal, authorities are wary of LGBT activism, leading to tense encounters and secret meetings. The Beijing LGBT Center fights to end conversion therapy and organizes a successful fundraiser, but faces constant surveillance and threats of closure.

Takeaways

• 🎥 The documentary secretly filmed a hospital outside Beijing where a psychiatrist claimed to offer treatments to 'cure' homosexuality, including electric shock therapy.
• 🏥 The LGBT Center, China's largest gay rights group, operates covertly due to the risk of police intervention, especially for their annual fundraiser, the gala.
• 🚨 Activist Ayran, director of the LGBT Center, is cautious about police surveillance and avoids direct contact to protect the group's activities.
• 🌈 The group is campaigning to end gay conversion therapy across China, which includes harmful practices like electric shock treatments.
• 📢 Despite homosexuality not being illegal in China, the government is wary of organized activism and interactions with foreign entities.
• 👨‍⚕️ John Shan, a 22-year-old deputy, goes undercover with secret cameras to investigate clinics offering conversion therapy.
• 💊 A psychiatrist at a hospital suggests a drug to suppress homosexual urges and refers to electric shock therapy as a treatment option.
• 🔋 An undercover activist experiences electric shock therapy during a consultation, which is claimed to 'rebalance' the nervous system.
• 💼 The police pressure on the LGBT Center increases, with activists being monitored and photographed, raising concerns about the group's safety.
• 🎉 Despite the risks, the LGBT Center's gala is a success, raising enough funds to keep the center operational for another year.
• 🏃‍♂️ John temporarily leaves Beijing to avoid police after the gala, but continues his work for gay rights upon his return.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the undercover filming outside Beijing?

The undercover filming is focused on investigating the existence and practices of gay conversion therapy in hospitals, specifically electric shock therapy.

Who are the activists mentioned in the script and what is their goal?

The activists are from China's largest gay rights group, the LGBT Center. Their goal is to campaign against gay conversion therapy across China.

What is the significance of the annual fundraiser gala for the LGBT Center?

The annual fundraiser gala is vital for the group's future, as it provides necessary funds to keep the center operational.

Why is the director of the LGBT Center, Ayran, worried about the gala?

Ayran is worried because authorities have disrupted their events in the past, and she is concerned they might do the same with the gala.

What is the legal precedent mentioned in the script regarding gay conversion therapy?

The legal precedent is a court ruling that set a legal precedent against promoting gay conversion therapy, which has raised the group's political profile.

Why does the government seem wary of the LGBT Center's activities?

The government appears to be wary of any groups organizing politically and working with foreigners, rather than having an issue with homosexuality itself.

What method does John Shan use to investigate gay conversion clinics?

John Shan uses secret cameras and pretends to want to change his sexual orientation to investigate the clinics.

What is the treatment that the Tianjin Shia mental health hospital offers for homosexuality according to the script?

The Tianjin Shia mental health hospital offers a drug to suppress homosexual urges, but does not offer electric shock therapy.

What was the outcome of the volunteer's session at the Hwacha hospital?

The volunteer at Hwacha hospital was subjected to electric shock treatment for his homosexuality and was charged 3,500 Yuan.

What is the opinion of Johnny Lee, the psychotherapist, on the effects of gay conversion therapy?

Johnny Lee specializes in counseling gay people and implies that gay conversion therapy can be harmful to a person's mental health.

Why did the police visit the LGBT Center looking for John after the gala?

The police were likely looking for John due to his involvement in the undercover investigation and activism against gay conversion therapy.

How did the different doctor's opinion at the Tianjin Incheon mental health hospital differ from the initial consultation?

The different doctor, the director of the Department of Psychiatry, told John that she now believes electric shock therapy for homosexuality is ineffective and cruel, and that it's not a mental disorder.