“AskDrBrown ” is a non-profit organisation run by Dr Brown. On its Facebook page which has 580k followers Dr Brown has also given his thought about Matthew Grech’s case with interesting worldwide facts. Here is what he wrote:
“The headline sounds like something created by a far-right website to make gay activists look bad but it is absolutely true and totally accurate: ‘Ex-Gay Man Faces Charges for Sharing His Testimony About Finding Freedom in Christ.’
Yes Matthew Grech who lives in Malta “is facing criminal charges for allegedly promoting ‘conversion practices’ in his own country during an online interview about how he chose to leave his former homosexual lifestyle after finding salvation in Jesus Christ.”
In other words because he testified on TV that Jesus changed his life and he no longer practiced homosexuality he could potentially go to jail for up to 5 months and be fined over $5 000. The TV station has been charged too.
And to repeat: I am not making this up.
If you are still rubbing your eyes and saying to yourself “There must be more to the story ” the only thing you need to know is that Malta forbids all “conversion therapy” for all people of all ages.
This is similar to a bill almost passed in California that I dubbed the “MUST STAY Gay Bill.”
As reported by BBC News in 2016 ‘Under the new law anyone who tries to ‘change repress or eliminate a person’s sexual orientation gender identity and/or gender expression’ will be fined or even jailed.’
It doesn’t matter what your religious beliefs might be.
It doesn’t matter if you were sexually abused and became confused about your sexual identity.
It doesn’t matter if you would really like to be heterosexual simply to marry and have a natural family.
No! You must stay gay (or trans as the case may be) and it is illegal for anyone to help you explore the roots of your same-sex attractions with the view towards change.
Tragically this “conversion therapy” ban is in place for minors in multiple states in America as well as abroad while a complete ban for people of all ages similar to that in Malta exists in several countries as well.
Talk about extreme overreach.
Talk about the exact opposite of live and let live.
Talk about making a mockery of ‘tolerance and acceptance.’ That street only goes one way.
In my book ‘The Silencing of the Lambs’
I noted how in Norway if you make a private comment deemed hateful to an LGBT person or persons you could get a one-year jail sentence. If you dare to make the comment in public you’re looking at three years in jail the same penalty for third-degree murder (meaning by neglect) in Norway.
And in nearby Finland I pointed to the case of Päivi Räsänen a medical doctor and a longtime member of the Finnish Parliament who was potentially facing 6 years in prison. Her crime was that she shared her opinion on marriage and human sexuality on social media on television and in a pamphlet taking issue with the teaching of the State Church.
But what happened to Grech is more extreme still. He simply shared his personal story on Maltese TV explaining the transformation of his life through the gospel.
And you thought I’ve been exaggerating all these years?
All the more then should we encourage ex-gay and ex-trans individuals to share their testimonies boldly and publicly if they so desire. And all the more should we stand by their side and push back against bans against change offering help and hope to all who desire it.
May the case in Malta serve as a wake-up call for the world.”