On my recent trip to Malta, I met Paolo (not his real name), who when he was 18 (three years ago) stumbled into the ex-gay movement. His story helps illustrate how the US-based ex-gay theories and practices sneak in under the radar in Europe.
When I came out to my mum about my sexuality I must admit she was not expecting this, however she was understanding and told me not to rush into things as this might just be one of the phases which adolescences may go through, and if I were gay she would have no problem with it, as nowadays its normal, however in order for me to find out if this were just a phase or not she soon referred me to a psychologist in Malta where I live.
Seems reasonable enough except that this particular “therapist” quickly took Paolo on a down path in an attempt to de-gay him.
She paused and said, ‘you gay?, not once did it cross my mind that you could be gay, however not to worry’ she added, and she soon reached out for a book which was created by a pastor, whereby she told me to read these prayers, in order for the Holy Spirit to come into me and to basically deliver me from evil, and this was to be discussed in further detail upon my second visit. At that point in time being at such a vulnerable stage I just followed her orders, without any question.
Paolo returned two more times, but he finally stood up to the abusive and inaccurate teaching,
Upon my third visit as she went on about the whole possessed issue and religious acceptance, that for me was the final straw, and I said, ‘I am sorry but who are you to say that god doesn’t accept me?, God accepts and forgives everyone and being gay is not considered as a forbidden sin, and as far as I am concerned I have never stolen, murdered or committed any mortal sin, and I have faith in God and surely I am not possessed and God loves me as I am. After all I am one of his creations!’ and that brought about the end of my third and final visit.
In his narrative over at Beyond Ex-Gay Paolo outlines his reasons for sharing his story. You can read his complete narrative here.
Thank you Paolo for sharing your story!
Peterson Toscano's A Musing 
its great isn’t it Peterson that so many are now coming out of the ex-gay failure closet and speaking their truth. there was a time many of us were too damaged to do this.
it is by us telling our stories…..we are slowing making ex-gay ministries be more honest about the results people can expect (very little and certainly not a change in orientation).
As we talk about the trauma of trying to change, the depression, the attack on our sense of self etc …i’m sure we are making people think twice.
The Director of Exodus Asia Pacific, Peter Lane, in a media 9 http://mcv.e-p.net.au/news/ex-gay-movement-meets-3294.html )interview, said the 5 apologies I’d organised from 5 former Exodus leaders in Australia ( http://alifeofunlearning.blogspot.com/2007/08/five-of-australias-ex-gay-leaders.html ) had hurt his organization. To their credit, many ex-gay leaders are being honest with people coming to them for help and admitting that even after years of prayer, believing etc . the gay never really goes away. To quote one Ex-gay leader in Australia, ‘you will always walk with a limp’ he told one man looking for an answer to try and save his marriage.
Keep up the good work. You know I believe in you.
Failure? What about having a clean body, free of overheating and horrific sexual addiction. Being gay is great! but the side effects are horriffic. If you can keep the smell down to a minimum its wonderfull but for so many people it becomes a destructive overkill that leads to the constant obsession with reqruiting supposed closed hetros, fact is theyre just horney and want some sensitve attention. not all gay boys are perverts, some are nice, why? why arnt they bent on self desruction? because theyre aware of the truth. G spot rules over head, heart and Spirit. remember, this is a forem for discussion, not idiosy.