Matthew Grech, a Christian charity worker, is facing prosecution for promoting ‘conversion therapy’ in Malta, after sharing his testimony of finding faith and leaving behind homosexuality
What’s at stake?
- Bans on ‘conversion therapy’, ‘conversion practices’ or on advertising them are attacks on free speech.
- Banning ‘conversion therapy’ bans consensual conversations. There is no other law that bans people from having a private conversation about their feelings and what they believe. A ban on conversations would be an unprecedented breach of human rights.
- Matthew faces a possible conviction simply because he share his own ex-gay testimony having become a Christian and because he defended the rights of others to receive safe, effective counselling and therapy help in line with the framework of the International Foundation for Therapeutic and Counselling Choice
Timeline
2018:
- Matthew makes headlines for telling his story as a contestant on X Factor Malta. In the following months and years he helps to found X-Out-Loud, a ministry of Core Issues Trust which celebrates and supports those who move away from LGBT actions and identities.
2022:
- 6 April: Matthew is invited by PMnews Malta, a small free-speech media platform, to share the story of how he had become a born-again Christian, which led to him leaving behind a homosexual lifestyle and unwanted same-sex attraction. At no point during the programme did Matthew invite any listener to attend therapy or encourage anyone to get help for unwanted same-sex attraction. Following the interview, Matthew received a prosecution order from Inspector Roderick Attard from the Maltese police. The order accused him of “advertising conversion practices”, and he was told that he would need to attend a hearing on 3 February 2023 and that if he failed to attend, he would be arrested.
2023:
- June: In a case believed to be the first of its kind anywhere, Matthew begins his trial on Friday 9 June along with the presenters of a local free speech media outlet, PMnews Malta.
2025:
- 4 February: Matthew has his 10th court hearing, with Michael Phillips from the Christian Legal Centre supporting Matthew’s legal team. Dr Mike Davidson (from Core Issues Trust and IFTCC), who specialises in supporting those who are wanting to leave behind LGBT behaviours, gave evidence, testifying that Matthew had not received any therapy relating to his sexuality and, as such, was not an insider to this kind of therapy.
- 6 November: Matthew is due to finally find out the outcome of his trial – until his lawyer receives a last minute email to say the verdict has been delayed for the second time.
2026:
- 4 March: After more delays, Matthew Grech is finally found not guilty of ‘advertising conversion practices’ by a court in Malta, in what is believed to be the first prosecution for ‘conversion practices’ in the world. This vindication comes after a three year trial with 17 court appearances simply for sharing his ex-gay, Christian testimony in an interview and defending the freedom of anyone to seek help with their unwanted sexual desires and behaviours. The journalists who interviewed him were also put through the lengthy trial and found not guilty.
Videos and media coverage
- CBN: Formerly gay man faces possible jail fines after sharing journey
- Christian Today: Calls for prayer as final verdict approaches in trial of ex-gay Christian
- Premier: Court clears Maltese Christian in landmark ‘conversion practices’ case
- Christian Daily: Ex-gay Christian in Malta acquitted in ‘conversion therapy’ case
- Malta Today: Court acquits three over interview on gay conversion therapy