TL;DR
- Matty Hyndman supports the UK conversion therapy ban.
- He emphasizes that LGBTQ+ people are not broken.
- The draft bill aims to protect against harmful practices.
- Hyndman shares his personal struggles with shame.
- The ban sends a clear message of acceptance.
In a bold move that has many cheering, Matty Hyndman, a contestant from the hit reality show The Traitors, has thrown his support behind the UK’s draft Conversion Practices Bill. This proposed legislation aims to ban the notorious and harmful practice of conversion therapy, which has long been a source of pain and trauma for countless LGBTQ+ individuals. Speaking at an event in London, Matty passionately declared that such a ban would send a “clear signal” to LGBTQ+ people everywhere: you are not broken.
Reflecting on his own experiences, Matty shared the deep-seated shame he felt growing up in an evangelical Christian environment. “I was so embarrassed that I was gay,” he confessed. “I was so deeply embarrassed and ashamed, and I didn’t tell a soul.” The internal conflict was palpable as he recounted his time sailing the seas as a missionary, all while grappling with his identity.
When Matty’s sexuality became known, he faced an unbearable ultimatum: “I was basically given a choice to publicly repent in front of the entire ship’s community and agree to go through counseling, or go.” The stakes were high, and the cost of walking away from that life was immense. “In order for me to walk away, in order for me to say no, there was such a huge risk,” he explained. “The risk was that I would lose everyone I know and love.” This is a reality many LGBTQ+ individuals face when confronting their identities in unsupportive environments.
The draft Conversion Practices Bill, which covers England and Wales, has been described as a landmark piece of legislation. It aims to protect LGBTQ+ individuals from the physical and psychological abuses that have been inflicted upon them in the name of so-called “therapy”. According to the government, conversion practices are defined as actions intended to change someone’s sexual orientation or gender identity through abusive methods, and those found guilty of such practices could face serious penalties.
Matty, who considers himself “one of the lucky ones” for managing to walk away from that toxic environment, believes that the ban is crucial. “For me to say no was to reject the belief of my entire community and walk away. And I did, thankfully,” he said. His message is clear: the proposed ban is not just about legislation; it’s about affirming the identities of LGBTQ+ people and telling them they do not need to be cured.
As he put it, “Anyone who is currently experiencing this, anyone who has, they’re hearing from the highest point that this is wrong and that it should not be happening to you. You’re not broken, you don’t need to be cured.” Matty’s advocacy is a beacon of hope for many, reminding us all that acceptance and love should prevail over shame and fear.
Originally from Northern Ireland, Matty has also lent his voice to the Alliance Party’s efforts to ban conversion practices in his home country. His journey from shame to acceptance is a powerful testament to the importance of advocacy and the need for systemic change in how LGBTQ+ individuals are treated.