David Matheson (campaigner)
David Matheson is a campaigner known for advocacy of conversion therapy. In 2019, he announced he was divorcing his wife of 34 years and intended to live as a gay man.[1][2][3] He previously led the organization Journey into Manhood.[4]
Matheson was an early protege of Joseph Nicolosi, who founded the National Association for Research & Therapy of Homosexuality (NARTH).[5]
Matheson, a Mormon, said “he was not renouncing his religious faith, or the entirety of his work as a conversion therapist, despite dating men. But he did criticise the "shame-based, homophobic-based system" of his upbringing in the Mormon church.”[6]
He and his wife had three children and one grandchild.[7]
Career
Matheson has a master’s in counseling and guidance from Brigham Young University and began full-time practice in New Jersey in 2004.[8] He counseled only men and the goal was always to develop what he called “gender wholeness.”[9]
Publications
References
- "Once-prominent 'conversion therapist' will now 'pursue life as a gay man'". NBC News. Retrieved 2019-02-19.
- "Former Mormon ex-gay 'conversion therapist' comes out as gay". Topics. Retrieved 2019-02-19.
- Holpuch, Amanda (2019-01-25). "Man who worked as top 'conversion therapist' comes out as gay". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2019-02-19.
- "Mormon who led gay conversion therapy comes out as gay". Evening Standard. 2019-01-25. Retrieved 2019-02-19.
- "Once-prominent 'conversion therapist' will now 'pursue life as a gay man'". NBC News. Retrieved 2019-02-25.
- Forrest, Adam. "A prominent 'gay conversion therapist' has divorced his wife of 34 years and now identifies as gay". Business Insider. Retrieved 25 February 2019.
- "Former Utah conversion therapist comes out: 'I am gay'". www.ksl.com. Retrieved 2019-07-11.
- Mehta, Hemnant. "Notorious Mormon Gay Conversion Therapist Now Says He Just Wants to Date Men". Friendly Atheist. Retrieved 25 February 2019.
- Luo, Michael (February 12, 2007). "Some Tormented by Homosexuality Look to a Controversial Therapy". The New York Times. Retrieved 25 February 2019.