Mormon ‘gay conversion therapist’ reveals he is homosexual and looking for a boyfriend as he apologises for his religion’s homophobia
A MORMON "gay conversion therapist" has revealed he is homosexual and apologised for the "hurt" and "harm" he caused to others through his work.
David Matheson, the creator of "ex-gay" gender programs, ended his marriage of 33 years admitting he could no longer suppress his desire for an "intimate relationship with a man".
Matheson, from Utah, in the US, wrote a lengthy Facebook post telling online friends "I realized it was time for me to affirm myself as a gay man".
His statement came after a fellow conversion therapist wrote private messages saying he was no longer part of the movement, reports .
He was the author of courses entitled the Journey Into Manhood and a book called Becoming a Whole Man, as well as being the director at the Centre for Gender Wholeness.
Fifteen US states have banned mental health professionals practising conversion therapy on minors after finding the programs could do "serious harms".
'MY FAITH PUT ME IN AN IDEOLOGICAL PRISON'
In his coming out post, the "newly out gay man" was critical of his profession but did not renounce his religious faith nor the entirety of his work.
He said his profession was keeping him trapped in an "ideological prison" and that his marriage to wife Peggy crumbled last year.
He said: "I know my work helped many, many people because they’ve told me so. But I’m sure I’ve hurt some people too.
"Not that I would excuse myself, but any shortcomings I had as a therapist came from too narrow a view of what 'emotionally healthy' can look like.
"They came from my own homophobia and narrow mindedness. I am truly sorry for those flaws and the harm they have surely caused some people.
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"And I’m sorry for the confusion and pain my choice may be causing others."
Matheson added he "realized that being in an intimate relationship with a man was no longer something I wanted to avoid", saying it had become "a non-negotiable need".
He claims he battled with his faith that had taught him "same-sex partnerships are sinful".
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