Living Out does not support 'gay cure,' says leader Sean Doherty

In light of the accusations made against support group Living Out that it is "gay cure therapy rebranded," leader Sean Doherty gave a response through their website.

In a post under the question "Does Living Out support 'gay cure' or 'conversion therapy'?" Doherty provided a lengthy explanation about the group's stance that they do not support "gay cure."

He said, "Homosexuality is not an illness. But using the language of 'cure' makes it sound like it is, which could be very damaging to vulnerable people."

He explained that the term would make vulnarable individuals "feel ashamed of who they are at a very deep and fundamental level," and it might even prompt suicidal feelings on some.

The accusation was made by Mike Freer, a member of the British Parliament, after Living Out was given a charity status by U.K.'s Charity Commission in February.

"I am surprised the Charity Commission could remotely believe this to be of 'public benefit'," Freer told PinkNews. "They may not use the words 'gay cure', but if it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck – it's a duck! This is gay cure therapy rebranded!"

To same-sex attracted individual Peter Ould, Freer's comments shows "his lack of research and his desire for a quick soundbite at the expense of checking facts." He told Christian Today that the testimonies of the Living Out leaders make it clear that "that they do not believe in any kind of cure or the necessity to become heterosexual."

In the post, Doherty explained that everyone, both homosexual and heterosexual, have "fallen sexual desires," and what is needed to address it is the holiness found in Christ. He also said that changing a person's sexual orientation is not an answer, since simply shifting the subject of a lustful desire from someone of the same sex to someone of the opposite sex does not really show improvement.

"So, attempts to change sexual orientation could be a distraction from the real goal, which is sexual purity expressed either in fulfilled marriage or in fulfilled singleness," he said.

He also said that any approach to "prevent" homosexuality would only add to a person's sense of guilt and shame. He said that same-sex attracted individuals need not deny or repress their same-sex orientation; however, they also need to accept their God-given gender, either male or female.