Christian organisations ask followers to ‘pray’ for Matthew Grech - an ‘ex-gay Christian’ prosecuted for allegedly advertising conversion practices
– 2 min read
Christian organisations, including ‘Christian Concern’ and the ‘Christian Legal Centre’ have asked their followers to ‘pray’ for Matthew Grech - an ‘ex-gay Christian’ and former contestant on X Factor Malta, after he was prosecuted for allegedly advertising conversion practices after appearing in a 2022 interview on Maltese news platform, PMnews Malta.
Grech, a Maltese national who “left behind homosexual relationships after becoming a Christian”, is facing charges under Malta’s Affirmation of Sexual Orientation, Gender and Gender Expression Act. The charges stem from a 2022 interview in which he discussed his personal journey away from identifying as gay and towards evangelical Christianity.
Although the interview did not promote or offer any form of therapy, it was interpreted by authorities as advertising so-called ‘conversion practices’ - a term widely recognised as referring to discredited and harmful attempts to change a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity.
Malta, the first EU country to ban conversion therapy in 2016, has been praised for its progressive stance on LGBTQ+ rights. However, this case has sparked debate over the balance between religious expression and the protection of LGBTQ+ individuals from potentially damaging narratives.
Supporters of Grech have framed the trial as a matter of religious freedom and free speech. They are calling for prayers and support ahead of the final verdict, expected in October. Grech could face up to five months in prison and a €5,000 fine if convicted.
Critics, however, argue that framing the issue as a matter of religious persecution overlooks the broader harm caused by conversion practices, which have been condemned by major medical and psychological organisations worldwide. LGBTQ+ advocates stress that individuals should be free to live authentically without being subjected to pressure or messaging that suggests their identity is something to be ‘changed’ or ‘healed’.
Dr Mike Davidson, who identifies as ex-gay and leads the International Foundation for Therapeutic and Counselling Choice (IFTCC), testified in support of Grech. His views, however, have been widely criticised for promoting outdated and scientifically unsupported ideas about sexuality and gender.
Cynthia Chircop, a Maltese LGBTQ+ rights advocate and one of the complainants in the case, told the court: “To me, they gave a platform to Matthew Grech to advertise gay conversion therapy. The programme made me feel degraded and dirty. It reminded me of being in Catholic school, where being LGBT was seen as negative.”
