“Ex-gay” man terrified of going to jail after promoting bogus (and illegal) conversion therapy
The "ex-LGBTQ+" activist's case could have global implications.
Mark
Conversion therapy is a triggering and traumatic topic in the LGBTQ+ community, and now, it might be the reason a man goes to jail.
According to Christian Broadcasting Network, Matthew Grech, a formerly gay man from Malta, is facing a possible five-month prison sentence for “advertising so-called conversion practices.”
As a so-called “ex-LGBTQ+ activist,” Grech spoke on the local program Pmnews Malta about leaving the queer community and working with an organization that “helps” men and women “work” through their “unwanted same-sex desires” and “unwanted gender confusion.”
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Sure Jan.
Unfortunately for Grech, Malta has some of the strictest laws against conversion therapy in the world.
In 2016, they became the first European country to ban the controversial practice with a bill issuing fines and jail time for anyone who attempts to “change, repress, or eliminate a person’s sexual orientation, gender identity and/or gender expression.”
By comparison, there are no national laws against conversion therapy in the United States, although more than 20 states have banned the practice for minors.
In Grech’s case, after his story aired, he was reported to the police. Following his “12th criminal court hearing in Malta” this week, a verdict is expected to come in October.
That said, he told CBN that he’s confident the case, which he views as a free speech issue, will go his way.
“Frankly, people deserve the right to seek help voluntarily that is fitting for them, that is right for them because people want to live according to their values,” he said. “Or, maybe they want to resolve conflicts in their marriage or past trauma with abuse.”
More importantly, he ominously told the outlet his case could have a global impact.
“I don’t know of another case like mine in the world,” he explained. “So it’s probably also that this was an attempt to have a test case to see where this would go in Malta.”
(Coincidentally, Tr*mp’s homophobic Supreme Court agreed to hear a Colorado case that seeks to overturn state-level bans earlier this year. Boo!)
Being LGBTQ+ is not something that needs to be "fixed"
Here's a quick rundown on conversion therapy, which has been making rounds in the news in both Malaysia and the UK recently. #CampurLGBT
[cont.] pic.twitter.com/bhpW76KPLG— miks (@mikhailhanafi) July 14, 2020
According to Grech, he was living an “active homosexual lifestyle in London” until a “lovely Christian woman” invited him to church.
After being singled out by the pastor, he said “truth began to permeate his heart,” and he “needed to repent.” Mmmkay.
Interestingly enough, the strict Maltese laws mean that many local media outlets are not reporting on his case.
“I feel grieved for my country, for my nation, because Malta deserves to hear both sides of the story,” Grech added.
“And, frankly, when I was younger, I wish that somebody told me that there was a way out of homosexuality because I would have chosen it — because I’d never wanted to be a victim of an unwanted sexuality in my life.” (Which makes sense, because it’s totally a choice. JK.)
This may be a pending European case, but its international implications should be of concern to LGBTQ+ Americans, whose rights are already under attack in other areas of the law.
Although films like The Miseducation of Cameron Post and Boy Erased have brought mainstream attention to these harmful practices, they’re still in full effect in certain parts of the country.
@livin4thelordt Emotional is an understatement. I feel overwhelmingly seen… #spiritualwarfare #sin #Goddid ♬ sonido original – ???????????????????? 
Its prominence in the culture has even been highlighted by recent viral TikToks from Griffin (whose username is @livin4thelordt), a formerly gay 22-year-old.
His videos — including a clip of him refusing to sing Chappell Roan’s “Pink Pony Club” because it “doesn’t honor God” — have racked up millions of views.
And while most of the comments seemingly criticize his promotion of gay conversion practices, it’s a harsh reminder that its legality is not entirely up to us.
@livin4thelordt NOPEEE… no no no… #toofunny #funny #christianhumor #christian #christiantiktok #jesusisking #viralvideo #fyp ♬ original sound – G R I F F I N
Related
Can’t pray it away: 6 times the dangers of conversion therapy have been depicted in film
From shocking documentaries to a cult comedy classic, these movies explore the dark realities of gay conversion therapy.
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