An Ex-Gay Encyclopedia for Catholics

If a Catholic gives you a book on LGBTQ+ questions, you can check this list to see if the author promotes ex-gay theories and conversion therapy.

I’ve been researching connections between Catholicism and the ex-gay movement, and my findings have been shocking. So far, I’ve discovered about fifty Catholic dioceses, national and international leaders, media organizations, ministries, and other institutions that have promoted conversion therapy, reparative therapists, and the ex-gay narrative.

These include: the Archdiocese of Denver, the Archdiocese of Detroit, the Archdiocese of New York, the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, Ascension Press, Benedictine College, Catholic Answers, the Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney, the Catholic Medical Association, the Catholic University of America, CatholicSpeakers.com, the Chastity Project, Christopher West, Communio, the Holy See’s Congregation for the Clergy, Courage International, the Diocese of Kansas City (MO), EWTN, Fr. Mike Schmitz, the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal, the Ghana Catholic Bishop’s Conference, Ignatius Press, the Institute for Priestly Formation, the Institute for Psychological Studies (Divine Mercy University), Jason Evert, the John Paul II Healing Center, the Knight of Columbus, the Minnesota Catholic Conference, the Napa Institute, the National Catholic Bioethics Center, Fr. Paul Check, the Holy See’s Permanent Observer to the United Nations in New York, Pints with Aquinas, the Pontifical Council for the Family, the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Health Care Workers, the Pontifical John Paul II Institute for Studies on Marriage and Family, the Pontifical University of St. Thomas (The Angelicum), the Seminary for the Archdiocese of Washington (DC), St. John Vianney Seminary (MN), St. Joseph Seminary (Archdiocese of New York), St. Michael’s Institute for Psychological Sciences, The Catholic Man Show, The Catholic Podcast, and the Theology of the Body Institute. Paying subscribers can find a list of these institutions, and their connections to the ex-gay movement here.

If the above list seems long, consider this: it was compiled by a single person with limited resources who has a full time job and did this during some of his spare time. This list has only begun to scratch the surface.

It’s worth noting that not all ex-gay promotion by the above were recent. For some, the promotion continues today. For others, the promotion occurred years ago. There are also varying degrees of promotion. Some have more explicitly promoted conversion therapy, while others have promoted the theories undergirding it. (Because there may be disagreements about whether certain individuals or organizations should be included on this list, I have tried to give some details as to why I believe they should be included. You are certainly welcome to make your own conclusions based on those details.) But what almost none of them have done (to my knowledge) is take responsibility for the harm caused by this promotion (where there are exceptions, I have noted them). Individuals have relied on the harmful half-truths that these organizations and individuals disseminated, and this harm is deeply related to the Church’s bad relationship to the LGBTQ+ community. This is not meant to be a “blacklist,” but to be an opportunity for reflection, accountability, and transparency.

As I start sharing my research, I would like to share a list of key names in the ex-gay movement. You will find below a list of organizations, and a list of individuals. This is meant to be a resource, especially for LGBTQ+ Catholics who are being recommended books or resources by well-meaning (but naive or misinformed) Catholics. If a Catholic hands you a book on LGBTQ+ questions, you can check this list to see if the author (or the authors they cite) promote ex-gay theories and/or conversion therapists. Some individuals below have played a more central role in the ex-gay movement than others, but all have promoted ex-gay theories and conversion therapy. This list is a work-in-progress. If you have additional information on the below or names I should also include, please let me know in the comments below or contact me directly.

Key Organizations and Publications

The Alliance for Therapeutic Choice and Scientific Integrity (ATCSI) is an ex-gay organization established in 2014, largely a rebrand of NARTH.

Brothers Road is a rebrand of People Can Change (PPC).

Changed Movement promotes stories of people who “overcome same-sex sexuality or gender confusion.” It argues against identifying as LGBTQ and suggests that one cannot be “free” if “same-sex sexual temptation still occurs.”

Cornerstone Action and Cornerstone Public Policy Research are New Hampshire-based Christian advocacy organizations. They promote a number of organizations focused on helping people overcome “unwanted same-sex attractions.”

Courage International is the largest Catholic organization for outreach to persons with “same-sex attraction.” It was founded by Father John Harvey, who was committed to ex-gay theories and whose work relied heavily on ex-gay theorist Elizabeth Moberly and conversion therapists Joseph Nicolosi and Richard Fitzgibbons. From 1989 until at least 2021, every Courage Conference featured at least one speaker who was a reparative therapist or ex-gay advocate. In 2015, Focus on the Family’s Steve Jordahl identified Courage as “the ex-gay Catholic ministry.”

Desert Stream / Living Waters Ministries is an ex-gay organization that promotes “healing” for homosexuality. It has had multiple allegations of abuse by personnel. It is promoted by the Restored Hope Network. Its founder Andrew Comiskey says he created the ministry “for those seeking to come out of homosexuality.” According to the New York Times, Desert Stream Ministries ended its affiliation with Exodus ‘due to leader Alan Chambers’s appeasement of practicing homosexuals who claim to be Christian” as well as his questioning of the reality of ‘sexual orientation change.’”

Exodus International was one of the largest-ex gay organizations in the world before its leaders admitted that the organization was based on falsehoods and shut it down. It referred many for conversion therapy and ex-gay camps.

The Jewish Institute for Global Awareness, previously known as Jews Offering New Alternatives for Healing (JONAH) was a Jewish organization which offered and promoted conversion therapy. The organization eventually had to shut down after a lawsuit resulting in findings of consumer fraud.

Ken Williams Ministries provides (non-licensed) conversion therapy.

The Journal of Human Sexuality is the official publication of ATCSI.

Living Hope Ministries provides support groups and resources for those seeking to change their same-sex attractions.

Living the Truth in Love: Pastoral Approaches to Same Sex Attraction was published by Ignatius Press in 2015 and was edited by Janet Smith and Fr. Paul Check. It includes essays by a number of reparative therapists and ex-gay advocates (and a child predator), including Father Paul Check, Bob Schuchts, Monsignor Livio Melina, Daniel C. Mattson, David Prosen, Janelle Hallman, and Timothy Lock.

The National Association for Research & Therapy of Homosexuality (NARTH) was a US organization which promoted and referred for conversion therapy, founded in 1992 by Joseph Nicolosi, Benjamin Kaufman, and Charles Socarides. It was closely associated with Exodus and partnered with other ex-gay organizations such as JONAH, Joel 2:25 International, and Evergreen International. It has been subject to various controversies. Its executive secretary Abba Golberg had a criminal conviction for conspiracy and fraud, its former officer and scientific advisor George Rekers was caught for employing a male prostitute as a travel companion, and an essay on its website by a member of its Science Advisory Committee Gerald Schoenewolf claimed that Africans were fortunate to be sold into slavery. Since 2014, it has operated under the name Alliance for Therapeutic Choice and Scientific Integrity (ATCSI).

People Can Change (PPC) is an ex-gay organization which led the Journey Beyond weekends. It was sued by the FTC over deceptive claims. PPC went through a rebrand and is now known as Brothers Road. It currently runs weekend events, such as Journey into Manhood, Journey Continues, and Journey Beyond.

Raphael Remedy is a Catholic counseling and life coaching organization. It is also the publisher for a text co-written by its founder Allison Ricciardi and ex-gay advocate David Prosen, Mom... Dad, I'm Gay: How Should a Catholic Parent Respond? The text promotes and grounds its understanding in the work of Fr. John Harvey, NARTH, and Neil Whitehead. It includes the poorly-supported claim that “16 year olds saying they have an SSA or Bi-orientation are 25 times more likely to change towards heterosexuality at the age of 17 than those with a heterosexual orientation are likely to change towards bi-sexuality or homosexuality.” The “two solid resources” recommended by the book are Courage and NARTH.

The Reintegrative Therapy Association promotes reparative therapy and encourages its practice among licensed professionals.

The Restored Hope Network is the ex-gay organization that took the place of Exodus International after it was shut down.

The Ruth Institute is a Louisiana-based Catholic organization that seeks to combat the “sexual revolution.” It often features ex-gay advocate Father Paul Sullins, who in 2019 misrepresented the John Jay Report and other studies to argue that gay priests are more likely to abuse children (the report was promoted by the Ruth Institute). In February 2022, the Ruth Institute promoted a “study” by Fr. Sullins which argued that sexual orientation change efforts do not cause harm. That study was published in Frontiers in Psychology, which was included in a list of “potential, possible, or probable predatory scholarly open-access publishers.” After Daniel Mattson was accused of engaging with a multi-year online sexual relationship with a child, the Ruth Institute stated that, whether or not the allegations were true, it would “continue to sell his book, without apology or hesitation.”

Key Individuals

Gerard van den Aardweg (b. 1936) is a Catholic reparative therapist. His work relies on retracted articles and junk scientists. Aardweg seems to have a particular disdain for the LGBTQ+ community. He calls “the psychological and medical problems of many practising homosexuals” a “considerable and steadily increasing social burden.” Aardweg has said, “Gay children do not exist” and that gay relationships are “promiscuous by nature.” For the genesis of homosexuality, Aardweg points to same-sex peer isolation, issues in parental relationships, and “neuroticism.” He has argued that parents are “guilty” for their children’s homosexuality. He has written that homosexuality is “just a kind of neurosis” that can be cured. He views homosexuality fundamentally as “a character neurosis.” Aardweg was a former member of the Scientific Advisory Committee for the National Association for Research and Therapy for Homosexuals (NARTH). NARTH is a now-defunct ex-gay organization that referred individuals to conversion therapy and other orientation change efforts. NARTH was central to the Evangelical ex-gay movement’s legitimation. The quality of Aardweg’s work can be summarized by this fact: Aardweg’s most recent article, “The Psychogenesis of Homosexuality” (2011) relies on a 1999 self-published book by fellow NARTH member Neil Whitehead. Whitehead held no qualifications in genetics, neuroscience, or psychology. His only published article on homosexuality ended up being retracted because of issues with its methodology. Aardweg’s own article, published by the official journal of the Catholic Medical Association, was remarkably outdated and demonstrated a lack of awareness of current research. Almost half of the research cited was 25-90 years old at the time of publication, and less than 10% of the cited works were published after 2006. The most recent research in support of orientation change cited by Aardweg was a 2003 study by Robert Spitzer. That study was criticized for its methodological issues and later retracted by its author, who apologized for the harm it had caused. Aardweg’s works read like outdated assumptions based on stereotypes, because that’s what they are.

Patricia Allan is the former president of Exodus North America and coordinator of Exodus International.

Anthony Anatrella (b. 1941) is a Catholic priest and reparative therapist who is being investigated for sexually abusing his clients. He has served as a consultant to the Pontifical Council for the Family and the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Health Care Workers. He also participated as a collaborator in the Synod of Bishops on the Family in October 2014.

Conrad Baars (1919-1981) was a Catholic reparative therapist. He believed that homosexual behavior "more often than not has its origin in a desperate search for the love never received from an affirming other." His work draws on Nicolosi and other reparative therapists and ex-gay advocates. In I will give them A New Heart (2008, edited by Suzanne Baars), Conrad Baars sees "the homosexual orientation or same-sex attraction strictly as a manifestation or a symptom, rather than as a condition or state." He discusses Emotional Deprivation Disorder and writes, "in this particular perspective we must distinguish between the totally or adequately affirmed individual who is always heterosexually oriented on the one hand, and the partially or totally unaffirmed individual who can be either heterosexually or homosexually oriented on the other. The reason for claiming that all fully affirmed individuals are heterosexually oriented is that any of the factors which in very early life cause the innate predisposition to a heterosexual orientation to change to a homosexual one are at the same time detractors from or obstacles to full affirmation." He does remark on the genesis of homosexuality: "I want to remark briefly on the not always clear genesis of the homosexual orientation. Whether this orientation is constitutionally determined -- hormonal, genetic, or otherwise -- or the result of early life environmental influences, or both, is, in the context of the particular perspective presented in this paper, of less importance than the always present and commonly reported association between the individual's homosexual orientation and a disturbance of his or her sense of worth and identity. In my opinion, this disturbance has both a causal and effectual relationship with the homosexual orientation and, when treated successfully, has a decidedly beneficial effect on the person's capacity for happiness even without a change in sexual orientation." In his work, he lays out guidelines for "therapy of unaffirmed homosexual or heterosexual persons."

Ruth Barnhouse (1923-1999) was a reparative therapist. She writes in Homosexuality: A Symbolical Confusion (1997) that "thirty percent of male homosexuals who come to psychotherapy for any reason (not just for help with their sexual preference) can be converted to the heterosexual adaptation." As Bohr puts it, she "suggests that homosexual persons denying that their orientation is reversible are resisting an awareness that would threaten their complacent acceptance of a gay identity."

Gerard Bradley is a Catholic lawyer, Notre Dame law school professor, and natural law theorist. He promoted ex-gay theories. In 2003, he co-edited Same-Sex Attraction: A Parent's Guide with Fr. Harvey. The section on "science" consists of essays by Satinover, Nicolosi, and canon lawyer Cormac Burke.

Marco Casanova works with Living Waters and promotes ex-gay views.

Father Paul Check is former director of Courage International and current director of the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe. He is also on the Board of Reference for the Restored Hope Network and promoted conversion therapists and ex-gay retreats throughout his time as the director of Courage. A “suggested reading list” (still available on the Courage website) recommends the work of conversion therapists, including Fitzgibbons, Nicolosi, Aardweg, and Comiskey.

Richard Cohen (b. 1952) is a reparative therapist. He was banned from Exodus for disturbing practices.

Andrew Comiskey (b. 1958) is an ex-gay advocate and Catholic who leads Desert Stream / Living Waters Ministries (the organization organization has had multiple abuse allegations). The organization has led workshops for many Catholic dioceses, including the Archdiocese of Denver and the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. Comiskey cites Leanne Payne as a major influence. In 2011, he converted to Roman Catholicism and works with Catholic dioceses. He claims to be a “former homosexual” and says he created his ministry “for those seeking to come out of homosexuality.” In an interview with the New York Times, Comiskey defended the ex-gay work of Exodus. He said, “For the last 37 years, Exodus has been a bright light, arguably the brightest one for those with same-sex attraction seeking an authentically Christian hope.” Comiskey is also a board member for the Restored Hope Network.

Dr. William Consiglio was a Catholic reparative therapist and author of Homosexual No More: Practical Strategies for Christians Overcoming Homosexuality (1991). He practiced what he called "Sexual Orientation Resolution Therapy."

Colin Cook is an ex-gay advocate who led an ex-gay ministry called Homosexuals Anonymous. Cook was removed after it was uncovered that he had abused his clients.

Michelle Cretella is a reparative therapist. She was on the NARTH Board of Directors and is the Vice President of the American College of Pediatricians. She treats homosexuality as an "adaptation," and relies on Satinover, Whitehead, Nicolosi, Sutton, Aardweg, and other ex-gay advocates and conversion therapists. These views were promoted in Helen Alvare’s Catholic Women Speak for Themselves (2012).

Francis D’Agostino is an ex-gay advocate and Professor of the Philosophy of Law at the University of Rome. In 1997, he opposed legal efforts to no longer view homosexuality as an illness. He said, "The attempt to make law enter by force into these areas corresponds to an illusion that a more pervasive legalization of their existence can give homosexuals that interior balance from whose lack they so clearly suffer. A law that knows how to react against these illusions is not an insensitive or cruel law; it is simply a law that knows how to remain faithful to the truth of things, even and especially when the mere recognition of that truth implies considerable ethical and psychological effort."

Joe Dallas (b. 1954) is an ex-gay counselor who founded Genesis Counseling, which specializes in conversion therapy. He promotes orientation change efforts in his 2003 book Desires in Conflict.

Michael Davidson, PhD is on the Board of Directors for ATCSI.

Alan Downing is an ex-gay advocate and life coach. He has held men’s support groups in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, and has staffed or led over 20 experiential healing trainings in the United States and Europe for Mankind Project International, People Can Change, J.O.N.A.H. and the International Healing Foundation. He is also the co-creator, with David Matheson, of People Can Change’s “next-step” healing weekend called “Journey Beyond.” Plaintiffs in a lawsuit leading to the closing of JONAH testified that Downing ordered them to strip naked and beat pillows representing their mothers in order to “cure” them of their same-sex attractions.

Dr. Anthony Duk is a Roman Catholic psychiatrist who practices conversion therapy. As is common, Duk has blamed his patients for failures to change their sexual orientation: “I was not successful with the ones I had because they did not stay long enough. The major factor is whether the patient really wants to heal. The ones who want to get better, those are the ones [able to change].” Duk was a NARTH member and is a member of the board of directors of the Journal of Human Sexuality for ATCSI. Duk has stated that he supports “helping people with unwanted same-sex attraction to overcome dysfunctional parenting, early childhood peer problems and sexual trauma, to become heterosexual through psychological therapy to help them become authentic people in God’s image.”

Jason Evert is a Catholic chastity speaker who has promoted conversion therapy and ex-gay theories throughout his career.

John Finnis is a Catholic philosopher who has promoted ex-gay views. He published An Intrinsically Disordered Inclination in 2003, which drew on the 1986 CDF letter to say the Church "refuses to consider the person as a 'heterosexual' or a 'homosexual.'" (Father Paul Check has made this argument as well, even though it clearly contradicts the Catechism, which refers to “homosexual persons.”) Finnis argues, "Very many homosexual persons... marry [someone of the opposite sex] and have children by their spouse." He argues that "the homosexual inclination (= orientation) comes, it seems, 'from a false education, from a lack of normal sexual development, from habit, from bad example, or from other similar causes, and is transitory or at least not incurable.' But... some homosexual persons may be 'definitively such because of some kind of innate instinct or a pathological constitution judged to be incurable.'"

Richard Fitzgibbons is a Catholic reparative therapist, Courage speaker, and consultant for the Holy See’s Congregation for the Clergy, appointed by Pope Benedict XVI. He had an ethics complaint filed against him.

Joseph Forlenza was a part of St. Michael's Institute for the Psychological Sciences, which was led by conversion therapist Philip Mango and promotes Exodus.

Edward J Furton was editor of Medics & Ethics, which promoted the work of Fitzgibbons.

Michael Gasparro, MFT is on the Board of Directors for ATCSI.

Floyd Godfrey, LPC is a reparative therapist and director of Family Strategies and Coaching, where he “supervises other therapists who work in the field of sexual addictions, reparative therapy and other mental health issues.” He is the author of the book “Homosexuality: Symptoms and Free Agency” and the audiotape program “Healing Homosexuality: Testimonies of Change.” He is also the founder of “Adventure in Manhood” and was a member of the board of directors of People Can Change.

Bruce R. Gold a conversion therapist who has offered “healing work on an individual basis for men dealing with unwanted SSA issues.” He has staffed Journey Into Manhood weekends. He is director of the Collegeville Healing Center in Pennsyvania.

Fr. Benedict Groeschel, in a 2012 interview with the National Catholic Register, argued that in "a lot" of clergy abuse cases, the (male) child seduced the priest, perhaps because of insecurities related to their fathers.

Christopher Gross is a Catholic professor who has promoted ex-gay views and relies on Fitzgibbons for his understanding of sexual and gender identity development.

Janelle Hallman is a Catholic reparative therapist who leads Janelle Hallman & Associates, a Christian counseling group that specializes in “female same-sex attraction.”

Julie H. Hamilton is a conversion therapist.

Father John F. Harvey, OSFS (1918-2010) was a Catholic priest and the founder of Courage International. His theories are grounded in the work of ex-gay theorists and conversion therapists, including Elizabeth Moberly, Leann Payne, Richard Fitzgibbons, and Joseph Nicolosi. Throughout his time as the leader of Courage, he promoted ex-gay theories and consistently provided a platform for reparative therapists.

Dr. Laura Haynes is a retired psychologist who has defended conversion therapy, as well as a General Board Member of the ex-gay organization International Federation for Therapeutic and Counseling Choice and a member of the Sexual Attraction and Identity Committee for the Catholic Medical Association. In 2020, she wrote in a Catholic Medical Association publication: “There is no reason that therapy to change same-sex or gender discordant experiences should be any less safe or effective than any other therapy.”

Adam T Fadel, LMFT practices reintegrative therapy and works with the Reintegrative Therapy Association.

Mary Rice Hasson is a Catholic who has defended conversion therapy for trans persons.

Mary Healy is a Catholic speaker who insists on the ability to be "healed" of homosexuality and other "disorders". In Men and Women are from Eden, she recommends Homosexuality and Hope by the Catholic Medical Association which recommends reparative therapy and "treating" homosexuality.

Geoff Heath, JD is on the Board of Directors for ATCSI.

Dr. John Heverin is part of St. Michael's Institute for the Psychological Sciences, which is led by conversion therapist Philip Mango and recommends Exodus.

John Hinson, LPC is a conversion therapist who “works primarily with men seeking recovery from same sex attraction and related issues.” He was listed as a referred therapist with Exodus.

Stephen Hopkins is part of St. Michael's Institute for the Psychological Sciences, which is led by conversion therapist Philip Mango and recommends Exodus.

Trent Horn is a staff apologist with Catholic Answers. He co-authored Made This Way: How to Prepare Kids to Face Today’s Tough Moral Issues (2018) with Leila Miller. The book refuses to use the terms “gay” or “straight” because, it argues, “such terminology erroneously reduces one’s identity to one’s inclinations, temptations, or desires. This is a real diminishment, as a person’s true identity is beloved child of God.” It draws on the work of both Mattson and Harvey. It argues that “parents should not even discuss homosexuality with their younger kids unless there is a serious reason.” It also implicitly argues that people in same-sex romantic relationships are “confused.” When faced with such relationships, parents are directed to ask their kids questions such as, “Could a boy ever be married to a tree or a car?” It recommends parents of kids who come out as gay connect with Courage, and also promotes the work of Joseph Sciambria.

Dr. Paul W. Hruz is a medical doctor and researcher working in pediatrics. Dr. Hruz has spoken against “transgenderism” and in support of conversion therapy.

Jeffrey Keefe, OFM (1926-2016) was a Franciscan and longtime collaborator with Courage who promoted the view that homosexuality comes from "some adverse incident or incidences that occur in a boy's case [to] undermine his masculinity."

Peter Kleponis was a conversion therapist who worked with Fitzgibbons at the Institute for Marriage Healing. He gave conferences to Courage and participated in evaluating candidates for the priesthood and religious life. He had an ethics complaint over conversion therapy.

Timothy Lock is a Catholic clinical psychologist, reparative therapist, and Director of Psychological Studies for the major seminary for the Archdiocese of New York. He is a Courage speaker and board member, former NARTH member (before the group was shut down) and promoter of ex-gay narratives and conversion change retreats, including the Journey Into Manhood retreats where participants would be required to participate in group nudity.

Neal Lozano was a Christian who promoted and practiced “deliverance sessions,” using "a strategy, based on his years of experience, for you to overcome Satan's influence in your life," including struggling with homosexuality.

Philip Mango is a reparative therapist who has been promoted by many Catholic organizations and ministries in New York. He was treated as “the de facto trusted Catholic orthodox therapist in New York” and recommended Journey Into Manhood retreats. Both Rod Dreher and Dawn Eden have written about his abusive practices. He has been disciplined by the New York State Office of the Professions for disclosing confidential client information.

David Matheson, M.S., LPC was a conversion therapist and director of the Center for Gender Wholeness. He practiced for eight years under the supervision of Nicolosi. HIs primary focus with clients is “seeking to diminish unwanted homosexual feelings and develop a stronger masculine, heterosexual identity and desires.” He was also co-creator of the Journey into Manhood weekend. He was once known as the “godfather of conversion therapy,” but he has since divorced his wife, come out as gay, closed his ex-gay practice, and decided celibacy is “not feasible” for him. His book Becoming a Whole Man has ceased publication.

Dr. Joseph Mauceri is a Catholic medical doctor who is part of St. Michael’s Institute for the Psychological Sciences, led by Philip Mango and which promotes Exodus. He has also served as a bioethics advisor to the Holy See’s Permanent Observer to the United Nations in New York.

Cardinal Jorge Medina (1926-2021) was prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship from 1996-2002. He treated homosexuality as a defect, "as if one lacked an eye,” and believed homosexuality was like alcoholism, and could be overcome by "reeducation."

Alan Medinger (1936-2010) was the original Executive Director of Exodus and founder of Regeneration Ministries.

Monsignor Livio Melina is an Italian theologian who promotes ex-gay views and has relied on the work of Anatrella for his understanding of homosexuality.

Leila Miller is a Catholic writer who has worked with Catholic Answers. She co-authored Made This Way: How to Prepare Kids to Face Today’s Tough Moral Issues (2018) with Trent Horn. The book refuses to use the terms “gay” or “straight” because, it argues, “such terminology erroneously reduces one’s identity to one’s inclinations, temptations, or desires. This is a real diminishment, as a person’s true identity is beloved child of God.” It draws on the work of both Mattson and Harvey. It argues that “parents should not even discuss homosexuality with their younger kids unless there is a serious reason.” It also implicitly argues that people in same-sex romantic relationships are “confused.” When faced with such relationships, parents are directed to ask their kids questions such as, “Could a boy ever be married to a tree or a car?” It recommends parents of kids who come out as gay connect with Courage, and also promotes the work of Joseph Sciambria.

Adam Minihan is a co-host of the Catholic Man Show, which has hosted Dan Mattson. He has also argued that homosexuality is something within the mind which wars against the body.

Elizabeth Moberly (1928-2014) was a neo-Freudian researcher who helped develop the ex-gay narrative.

Bobby Morgan is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who practices conversion therapy and has been involved with Journey Into Manhood.

Joseph Nicolosi Sr. (1947-2017) was a reparative therapist who is often considered “the father of conversion therapy.” You can listen to a conversation I had with one of his former clients here.

Joseph Nicolosi Jr. is a reparative therapist, the son of Joseph Nicolosi Sr., and the founder and director of ATCSI. He has renamed his practice “reintegrative therapy.”

Dale O’Leary was a NARTH member who believes homosexuality can be prevented and defends conversion therapy.

Robert Otto is a conversion therapist.

Ann Paulk is an ex-gay advocate and founder of the Restored Hope Network, which replaced Exodus after it was shut down.

Leanne Payne (1932-2015) was a member of the Evangelical prayer healing movement, and focused on using prayer healing to heal homosexuality.

Baxter Peffer, MS is an ex-gay counselor “specializing in men’s issues, including unwanted samesex attraction, sexual addiction, and the trauma of childhood sexual abuse.” He has staffed ex-gay retreats and experiences, including Journey Into Manhood.

Carolyn Pela, PhD is a reparative therapist who actively recruited participants to undergo conversion therapy for a 2021 paper. She is on the Board of Directors for and former President of ATCSI.

David Pickup, LMFT is a conversion therapist (practicing under a rebrand called “reintegrative therapy”).

David Prosen, LMHC is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and ex-gay advocate who attributes his change, in part, to Aardweg’s self-guide for orientation change. He works with The Raphael Remedy, where he specializes in an umber of areas, including “codependency, Adult Children of Alcoholics, emotional disorders, pornography and sex addiction, men's issues, obsessive compulsive disorder/scrupulosity, gender identity disorders and gender affirmation, post-traumatic stress, and unresolved grief issues.” Along with Allison Ricciardi (the Founder and President of catholictherapists.com), he is the coauthor of Mom... Dad, I'm Gay: How Should a Catholic Parent Respond? The text promotes and grounds its understanding in the work of Fr. John Harvey, NARTH, and Neil Whitehead. It includes the poorly-supported claim that “16 year olds saying they have an SSA or Bi-orientation are 25 times more likely to change towards heterosexuality at the age of 17 than those with a heterosexual orientation are likely to change towards bi-sexuality or homosexuality.” The “two solid resources” recommended by the book are Courage and NARTH.

David Clark Pruden, MS, is the managing editor of the Journal of Human Sexuality, the official publication of ATCSI.

Allison Ricciardi is the Founder and President of catholictherapists.com, and the Founder and Director of The Raphael Remedy. She is also the co-author, along with David Prosen, of Mom... Dad, I'm Gay: How Should a Catholic Parent Respond? The text promotes and grounds its understanding in the work of Fr. John Harvey, NARTH, and Neil Whitehead. It includes the poorly-supported claim that “16 year olds saying they have an SSA or Bi-orientation are 25 times more likely to change towards heterosexuality at the age of 17 than those with a heterosexual orientation are likely to change towards bi-sexuality or homosexuality.” The “two solid resources” recommended by the book are Courage and NARTH.

Christopher Rosik, PhD, is on the Board of Directors for ATCSI.

Peter Rudegeair is a reparative therapist, NARTH member, and promoter of ex-gay theories. He was also a co-author of the publication Homosexuality and Hope, published by the Catholic Medical Association in 2000, which promoted “cures” for homosexuality and ex-gay theories.

Jeffrey Satinover is a Jewish reparative therapist and longtime speaker for Courage. His 1996 book Homosexuality and the Politics of Truth discusses homosexuality primarly in the context of being a condition that can or should be treated.

Joseph Scambria is an ex-gay advocate who has said that anal sex releases “demonic entities” into the world.

Father Mike Schmitz is a popular Catholic speaker featured in the Bible in a Year podcast. In his book Made for Love: Same-Sex Attraction and the Catholic Church he treats homosexuality as a kind of “wound” in one’s sexuality and recommends the “self-therapy” guide for orientation change by Aardweg.

Bob Schuchts is a Catholic reparative therapist and leader of the John Paul II Healing Center. You can listen to a conversation I had with one of his former clients here.

Walter R. Schumm is an ex-gay advocate published in the Journal of Human Sexuality.

Charles Socarides is a reparative therapist and founder and president of NARTH.

Mark E. Stern is an ex-gay advocate, NARTH member, and defender of conversion therapy.

Sean Stevens is a Catholic reparative therapist who helps people with “unwanted same-sex attractions.”

Fr. Paul Sullins is a Catholic priest and ex-gay advocate who promotes sexual orientation change efforts.

Phil Sutton is a former president of NARTH and editor of The Journal of Human Sexuality. He actively recruited participants to undergo conversion therapy for a 2021 paper.

Chad Thompson does not actively promote conversion therapy. However, his work draws on conversion therapists, and he recommends in his books that men to spend more time around other men naked in order to help heal.

Maria Valdes is a reparative therapist who has presented at Courage Conferences. Her work is cited by Fr. Harvey.

Dr. Quentin van Meter is President of the American College of Pediatricians and an ex-gay advocate who refers individuals to conversion therapists.

Robert Vazzo, MFT, is a therapist on the Board of Directors for ATCSI.

Keith Vennum, MD, is on the Board of Directors for ATCSI.

Andrew Visser, MHC, is on the Board of Directors for ATCSI. I have not confirmed whether he practices reparative therapy.

Dr. Paul Vitz is a Catholic ex-gay advocate who has endorsed Aardweg’s The Battle for Normality. He is also a part of St. Michael’s Institute for the Psychological Sciences.

Fr. John Waiss is a Catholic priest and ex-gay advocate. In his 2011 book Born to Love, he presents the ex-gay view through a dialogue on the psychology of homosexuality, asking the lesbian interlocutor about abuse and issues with her mother. The lesbian speaker insists she hasn't been abused, but the priest insists that she has wounds leading to her attractions that she hasn't recognized (gaslighting). The resources section recommends the self-therapy orientation guide by Aardweg and works by Cohen, Harvey, Bradley, Nicolosi, Whitehead, and other ex-gay advocates.

Donald Welsch is a licensed family therapist and ordained minister who operates a Christian counseling center in San Diego and promotes conversion therapy. He works with the Center for Enriching Relationships.

Christopher West is a Catholic chastity speaker and commentator on the Theology of the Body. His is on the Board for the Restored Hope Network and has promoted conversion therapy and ex-gay theories throughout his career.

Ken Williams is co-founder of the Changed Movement. He is also co-founder of Equipped to Love and works with Moral Revolution. He and his wife Tiffany provide (non-licensed) conversion therapy.

Tiffany Williams provides (non-licensed) conversion therapy.

Russell Willingham is a Christian minister and Director of Counseling and Curriculum Development at New Creation Ministries in Fresno, California. He was a regular workshop presenter at Exodus International. He has publicly defended conversion therapy and opposed conversion therapy bans.

Russell Willingham is executive director of New Creation Ministries, based in Fresno, California. He counsels, leads groups, and speaks nationwide on issues related to sexual addiction. He has presented workshops at several annual conferences of Exodus International, at the American Association of Christian Counselors World Conference (2001), and at the AACC Superconference on Sexuality (2002). He is also a participant in AACC's video curriculum on healthy sexuality. He is an ordained minister with the Assemblies of God International Fellowship and works under the supervision of Dr. Jonathan Olford, PhD of the Link Care Counseling Center in Fresno, California.

Elizabeth Woning is co-founder of the Changed Movement.

Rich Wyler was founder and executive director of People Can Change and a life coach with Higher Path Life Coaching. He is the founder and co-creator of the “Journey into Manhood” weekend. He has worked on mentoring men “out of SSA.”

Kim Zember is a Catholic speaker featured by Ascension Press. She is also on the board of directors of Freedom March, an ex-gay organization which calls for an end to LGBTQ equality laws and conversion therapy bans. In December 2021, it was reported that the leader of Freedom March, Jeffrey McCall, had spent time seeking out sex with other men using money from the organization.

Gianfrancesco Zuanazzi is an ex-gay advocate. He speaks of the "narcissistic quality" of "the homosexual condition," which "is expressed in the continual attempts at "self-recovery" and in searching for the "better self" or the "missing self" in another person. He argues that the homosexual approach is really one of identification and possession. He draws on others to argue that homosexuality between two individuals involves narcissistic “extensions of themselves” rather than “mutual exchange” and says that “the homosexual syndrome comes from ‘clinging to the self.’” He says, “homosexuality should not be regarded as an illness per se, since it is not a ‘process’ that overtakes the subject at a given moment in his history, subverting his equilibrium, but an abnormal variant of sexual orientation (a neurosis however can complicate homosexuality, whenever the latter is experienced in a conflictual way or has compulsive features). He draws on Aardweg, “who interprets homosexuality as a neurosis and attributes its origin to an inferiority complex of the Adlerian type, has provided many encouraging data. From my clinical experience, the sure development of a heterosexual impulse is rather rare in true homosexuality, but occurs more frequently in the weak and neurotic forms. The specialist's intervention is certainly desirable for adolescents who show signs of anxiety and do not know how properly to evaluate their condition, but the subject has to be willing to meet and be open to talking about it. It will then be possible to identity the type of homosexuality (or even rule it out), to determine the presence of neurotic elements and to decide, if need be, the beginning of psychotherapy." He also argues, "If the change of sexual orientation is unsuccessful, both the lapse into promiscuity, as a cure for loneliness, and repression with the resulting ambiguities of behaviour must be avoided."

---

The above list is not exhaustive. If you have any other names or information, or any corrections, please let me know in the comments below, or contact me directly here.