Mormon gay cure therapist comes out as gay and is looking for boyfriend

David Matheson, a notorious Mormon practitioner of gay ‘cure’ therapy, is now “pursuing life as a gay man.”

The therapist was one of the best-known Mormon practitioners of conversion therapy, setting up the Journey into Manhood program in line with church teachings that direct gay people to repress their feelings and marry someone of the opposite sex.

But Matheson, who trained under Joseph Nicolosi of National Association for Research and Therapy of Homosexuality (NARTH), has now admitted that he is gay.

Mormon gay cure therapist David Matheson ‘choosing life’ as a gay man

The US-based former therapist came out in a message shared by Truth Wins Out, a campaign group that battles against gay ‘cure’ therapy.

Matheson said: “My time in a straight marriage and in the ‘ex-gay’ world was genuine and sincere and a rich blessing to me.

Mormon gay cure therapist David Matheson (Facebook)

“I remember most of it with fondness and gratitude for the joy and growth it caused in me and many others… but I had stopped growing and was starting to die.

“So I’ve embarked on a new life-giving path that has already started a whole new growth process.”

Mormon gay cure therapist David Matheson won’t renounce past work

Matheson insisted he was not renouncing his work.

He added: “I wasn’t faking it all those years. I’m not renouncing my past work or my LDS faith. And I’m not condemning mixed-orientation marriages.

“I continue to support the rights of individuals to choose how they will respond to their sexual attractions and identity.