Matthew Hyndman, a contestant on the BBC series The Traitors, has spoken publicly about his experience of conversion therapy, which he says he “escaped” after a church attempted to “cure” his homosexuality. The 35-year-old Faithful, originally from Northern Ireland but now living in Edinburgh, shared his story in a 2021 op-ed for The Independent.
Hyndman revealed that the ordeal began in 2015 when he was a 24-year-old missionary sailing the Indian Ocean and South China Sea. After private online conversations in which he disclosed his sexuality were accidentally emailed to his congregation, his mission leaders insisted he undergo therapy and confess before 400 missionaries. He refused, stating: “I am glad that I had the strength of mind to refuse, and recognise that I didn't need to change or 'cure' myself.”
Following his refusal, one of his former churches sent him a letter revoking his membership due to “lifestyle choices” and his refusal to undertake “counselling”. This prompted him to establish the Ban Conversion Therapy movement in 2020, a coalition calling on the UK Government to outlaw conversion practices. The government initially committed to a ban in 2018, but no legislation has been passed.
Hyndman, who is engaged to his partner, also shared his plans for the prize money if he wins The Traitors. He said he would like to buy a cottage in the Highlands and use the funds to marry his partner on his family farm in Northern Ireland, having campaigned for marriage equality there.
The Traitors continues on Wednesday at 8pm on BBC One and iPlayer.
