‘Christian group used exorcism to cure my sexuality’

Moves to outlaw conversion therapy are a step forward for gay rights, says psychologist
Paul Martin

“I woke up as gay as when I went to sleep, which meant that every day I was failing in the eyes of my church.”

Paul Martin is speaking of his time in the 1980s with an evangelical Christian group called Exodus International, when he witnessed pseudo-CBT and spiritual healing programs, prayer therapy with counsellors claiming to channel the Holy Spirit and even exorcisms to “cure” him of his sexuality.