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Gay psychologist 'sees the light'
Shannon Molloy | December 17, 2008
A
Brisbane man who was the former leader of a group that claims to 'cure'
homosexuality has been named as one of the gay community's most influential
people.
During the 1980s, Paul Martin was at the helm of an 'ex-gay
ministry movement' - one that tried to turn homosexual people into heterosexual
people - in Melbourne.
Providing 'treatment and religious counselling' to
hundreds of men and women, the group still operates in cities across the
country.
However, Mr Martin, 45, eventually "saw the light" and
confronted his personal demons.
"At the time I truly believed I was on a
journey to being repaired, I was convinced my sexuality could be changed," he
said.
Two decades on, the counselling psychologist helps confused and
troubled gays and lesbians come to terms with their own sexuality.
"Most
people would be surprised that this group operates in Brisbane, using the same
sort of outdated practices from decades ago that produced hundreds of human
wreckages," Mr Martin said.
"Followers think being gay is a psychiatric
disorder, against the will of God and therefore inherently evil ... they believe
homosexuals can change through healing."
Despite significant steps in
society towards a greater acceptance of homosexuality, Mr Martin said there was
still strong demand for such organisations.
"There are enough tortured
and confused people out there to warrant their existence but they are incredibly
dangerous because trying to be something you're not creates horrific
conflict."
Mr Martin was this week named as the sole Queenslander in
samesame.com.au's annual Gaylies list - for the 25 Most Influential Gay and
Lesbian Australians.
Recipients were chosen from hundreds of
publicly-nominated individuals. They include Olympic diving sensation Matthew
Mitcham, retiring High Court Justice Michael Kirby and politician Penny
Wong.
Organisers said Mr Martin was chosen in recognition of his work in
Brisbane's gay community, including the bravery required in speaking out against
the ex-gay movement.
While he disagrees with their methods and beliefs,
Mr Martin does not believe the organisers of such groups are deliberately
hateful people.
"The people involved with these groups don't actually
mean harm - they are lovely individuals, I'm sure. However, they are genuinely
ignorant and driven by personal belief that is not in tune with
reality."
Of the dozens of so-called reformed gays Mr Martin worked with
20 years ago, only a few are still heterosexual and the majority wound up
leading "messy lives", he said.
"Some of those people got married but it
inevitably ended in divorce and the sad part is most situations involved
children."
samesame.com.au founder Tim Duggan said the awards were
designed to raise awareness of gay community members and the issues they faced,
as well as celebrating personal achievement.
"This list shows that there
are amazing role models within our community and the more society sees gay
people achieving great things, the easier it will be to see equality," Mr Duggan
said.
