AMC Theatres abruptly canceled a film showcasing the voices of young people who have de-transitioned after having hormone therapy and surgeries to purportedly “affirm” their “gender identity.”
“No Way Back: The Reality of Gender-Affirming Care” was set for initial release on June 21 in dozens of theaters across the country. Producers of the film say AMC caved to the pressure of a de-platforming campaign by a transgender group called the Queer Trans Project, which has not had access to view the full film.
The Daily Wire reached out to AMC Theatres about the cancellation but did not receive a response.
“The ‘QT Project’s’ inference of detransitioning as ‘conversion therapy’ is a weak, underhanded attempt to conflate detransitioning with that despicable and sometimes devastating practice of the past,” said a statement from Deplorable Films, the distributor of “No Way Back.” “It might be worth noting here that [there’s] an infamously repressive theocracy on the other side of the globe where ‘gender-affirming’ surgery is the only option given to gay men and women, who may otherwise be executed under law.”
The distribution company added, “Perhaps they are on the payroll of those who profit from this – so much of what they are doing is resulting in the creation of life-long surgical and pharmaceutical patients are doing so to great benefit of certain surgical clinics and pharmaceutical companies.”
“It is quite evident that those undertaking this crusade against this film have not had the courtesy of seeing it before taking such extreme actions to silence it,” Deplorable Films added.
Along with medical professionals, the film features five young people who have de-transitioned. One person in the film, a 26-year-old man named Abel, spoke to The Daily Wire about his transition to female as a teenager and then his de-transition.
“I would tell anyone who wants to transition, especially the young boys who think life would be easier because they are the perfect image of a masculine male, that the transition will not save them,” Abel told The Daily Wire.
“It would actually destroy their lives. Actually, take a step back and think about this for a while,” he continued. “And even if that is what they think they want— the actual negative side effects, nobody will tell you.”
A young woman named Laura, who appears in “No Way Back,” told The Daily Wire she took a high dose of testosterone and removed her healthy breasts by way of a double mastectomy before de-transitioning at 22 years old.
“I’m a very vocal advocate of complete bans for transition procedures for minors, both medical and social, because children are not developed,” Laura said. “They do not have the brains or bodies to be able to make long-term decisions about their reproductive and sexual health, and they just are not able to consent to these long-term procedures.”
The Queer Trans project, though, claims the film is “anti-trans” and “perpetuates harmful misinformation.” The group campaigned for allies to send its sample letter to AMC with the goal of de-platforming “No Way Back.”
“I am writing to express my deep concern and strong opposition to the decision to screen No Way Back: The Reality of Gender-Affirming Care, an anti-trans film that perpetuates harmful misinformation,” the Queer Trans Project’s letter reads, according to Post Millennial. “It is disheartening to see a respected institution like AMC Theaters provide a platform for content that further stigmatizes and marginalizes the transgender community. Regardless of the timing, this film’s screening goes against the values of inclusivity and respect that should be upheld by a company committed to providing diverse and meaningful entertainment. I implore you to reconsider this decision immediately and demonstrate your commitment to supporting a more inclusive and accepting society. Please remove the film from your lineup and help ensure that AMC Theaters remains a safe and inclusive space for all moviegoers.”
The group then celebrated the de-platforming when news hit of its ouster this weekend. “We did it! Our community’s swift action is a testament to the power of advocacy and the importance of raising our voices against harmful content,” the group said. “Your collective efforts have made a significant impact, and the decision to pull No Way Back from AMC theaters is a step towards fostering a more inclusive and respectful environment. Thank you for your dedication and commitment to creating positive change.”
Controversial Democratic state Senator Scott Wiener of California also went after AMC for initially platforming “No Way Back.”
“AMC is celebrating Pride Month by platforming an anti-trans propaganda film across the country,” Wiener said via Twitter on June 16. “[AMC Theatres] is feeding into the lie that kids are being tricked into being trans, when the data actually shows that only 1% of trans people de-transition. This is truly shameful.”
AMC is celebrating Pride Month by platforming an anti-trans propaganda film across the country.@AMCTheatres is feeding into the lie that kids are being tricked into being trans, when the data actually shows that only 1% of trans people de-transition.
This is truly shameful. 🧵 pic.twitter.com/eB4y5Oxzmw
— Senator Scott Wiener (@Scott_Wiener) June 16, 2023
A site for the film describes “No Way Back” as a 90-minute documentary that “cites 45 peer-reviewed medical and journalist articles” and hears from five de-transitioners.
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“Without diagnostic clarity or mental health evaluations, their doctors quickly affirmed them as ‘transgender,’ and mindlessly ushered them along the path of medical transition: so called ‘gender-affirming care’ —the only treatment recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics,” the site reads. “These young people were harmed —injected with powerful compounds and surgically altered; irrevocably changed and turned into lifelong pharmaceutical customers by the doctors they trusted.”
Panacol Productions and Deplorable Films present 'NO WAY BACK: The Reality of Gender Affirming Care'. Showing in select AMC Theaters on June 21st! For ticket reminders visit: https://t.co/0oJ4kfToRO pic.twitter.com/536Usmiwa5
— Deplorable Films (@DeplorableFilms) June 6, 2023
“No Way Back,” while now canceled at AMC Theatres, is still streaming and available on DVD, the film’s website says.
Related: Transgender Regret – Sunday Special Podcast (June 18, 2023)
