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Core Issues Trust

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AbbreviationCORE
TypeChristian
Key people
Mike Davidson
Websitewww.core-issues.org

The Core Issues Trust is a British Christian organisation, which focuses on issues of homosexuality, both Christian and non-Chrian.

History

In June 2011, the Core Issues trust organized a one-day event in a church in Belfast entitled "Interrogating the Pejoratives: Considering Therapeutic Approaches and Contexts for those Conflicted in Sexual Identity". Some of the topics on the agenda were "How parents can help their children avoid homosexuality" and "A Christian and psychological perspective on overcoming obstacles to freedom from homosexuality". Gay rights groups protested against the Church of Ireland that the event being held in one of the country's churches.[1]

In April, 2012, the group received disparaging media coverage following a public campaign, which included advertisements on London buses claiming that therapy could change sexual orientation, and with the message Not gay! Ex-gay, post-gay and proud. Get over it!. Although the campaign was passed by the Committee of Advertising Practice, it was subsequently banned by then- London Mayor Boris Johnson.[2][3] In January 2014, the Core Issues Trust sued Boris Johnson to the High Court for unlawfully using his position as the Chairman of Transport for London to ban the ad.[4] It was concluded that the board of Transport of London, and not Boris Johnson, took the decision to ban the ad, thus discrediting the accusations of Core Issues Trust.[5]

In 2018, the Core Issues trust released the documentary Voices of the Silenced which follows 15 gay and lesbian people going through conversion therapy.[6]

In 2019, the Core Issues Trust produced and promoted the film Once Gay: Matthew and Friends about the X Factor Malta contestant Matthew Grech who announced his renunciation of homosexuality on television. The film was released as the second reading of the Prohibition of Conversion Therapies Bill 2018 was being passed in the upper house of the Irish Senate. Mike Davidson argued that individuals have the right to "leave unwanted homosexual practices" if they want to.[7][8] The film sparked outrage worldwide.[9][10] Afterwards, Matthew Grech admitted in an interview that he was still very much gay.[11]

Description

Core Issues Trust offers support to those seeking to change homosexual behaviour and feelings.[12] The Trust considers human sexuality in both men and women to be fluid; the brain malleable; and that sexual identity, feelings and patterning may change. Core Issues Trust believes that homosexuality is not a native human behavior, but rather a relational or sexual damage that cause deviancy, but may be cured for those who desire to walk in obedience to the Gospel of Christ.[9] The group refutes the use of the term "gay conversion" and rather refers to a "standard psycho-therapeutic practice".[8]

The group's leader, Dr. Mike Davidson (who received his doctorate in education rather than medicine), defines himself as ex-gay.[13][14] He was removed from the register of the British Psychodrama Association in 2014.[7]

See also

References

  1. ^ Victoria O'Hara (14 June 2011). "Row over 'gay conversion' conference held at church". Belfast Telegraph. Retrieved 30 August 2019.
  2. ^ Yahoo News - Gay Cure Bus Advert Banned
  3. ^ The Guardian, April 13, 2012 - Boris Johnson bans 'gay cure' bus adverts
  4. ^ Kashmira Gander (27 January 2014). "Boris Johnson 'gay cure' bus advert ban to be investigated by High Court". Independent. Retrieved 19 August 2019.
  5. ^ "Christian activists lose gay bus advert challenge". BBC. 30 July 2014. Retrieved 30 August 2019.
  6. ^ Stoyan Zaimov (6 February 2018). "15 Ex-Gays, Lesbians 'Come Out of Homosexuality' in Documentary Film by Christian Ministry". Christian Post. Retrieved 30 August 2019.
  7. ^ a b Fionola Meredith (20 April 2019). "The Irishman who claims to help people with 'unwanted same-sex attractions'". Irish Times. Retrieved 30 August 2019.
  8. ^ a b "'Gay conversion therapy': Group to seek legal advice on ban". BBC. 3 July 2018. Retrieved 30 August 2019.
  9. ^ a b Amy Southall (8 February 2018). "Core Issues Trust: The group whose 'gay cure' film has become a scandal". talk Radio. Retrieved 30 August 2019.
  10. ^ Alex Williams (15 February 2019). "Belfast church protest over X-Factor Malta contestant's 'ex-gay' film". Premier. Retrieved 30 August 2019.
  11. ^ Nick Duffy (26 June 2019). "The "ex-gay" man at centre of gay cure therapy film is still attracted to men". Pink News. Retrieved 30 August 2019.
  12. ^ "Does CORE claim to 'cure' homosexuality?". Core Issues Trust. 8 July 2010. Archived from the original on 24 August 2012. Retrieved 12 March 2015.
  13. ^ Moreton, Cole (21 April 2012). "The man who believes he can help gay people turn straight". The Telegraph. Retrieved 13 March 2015.
  14. ^ High Court hears 'ex-gay' ad ban 'a political issue'
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