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
  1. "Once-prominent 'conversion therapist' will now 'pursue life as a gay man'". NBC News. Retrieved 2019-02-19.
  2. "Former Mormon ex-gay 'conversion therapist' comes out as gay". Topics. Retrieved 2019-02-19.
  3. 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.
  4. "Mormon who led gay conversion therapy comes out as gay". Evening Standard. 2019-01-25. Retrieved 2019-02-19.
  5. "Once-prominent 'conversion therapist' will now 'pursue life as a gay man'". NBC News. Retrieved 2019-02-25.
  6. 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.
  7. "Former Utah conversion therapist comes out: 'I am gay'". www.ksl.com. Retrieved 2019-07-11.
  8. Mehta, Hemnant. "Notorious Mormon Gay Conversion Therapist Now Says He Just Wants to Date Men". Friendly Atheist. Retrieved 25 February 2019.
  9. Luo, Michael (February 12, 2007). "Some Tormented by Homosexuality Look to a Controversial Therapy". The New York Times. Retrieved 25 February 2019.


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