‘It’s false advertising’ Conversion therapy programme founder comes out as gay

"I certainly regret where I caused harm."

A former leader of one of the most prominent conversion therapy programmes in the US has come out as gay. McKrae Game, who founded the Hope for Wholeness centre in South Carolina, has apologised for the "hurt" he caused through the teaching of his practices. Game was fired from his role by the organisation's board of directors two years ago. He came out as gay earlier this year.

“Conversion therapy is not just a lie, but it’s very harmful,” he told The Post and Courier. “Because it’s false advertising.”

The Hope for Wholeness centre's conversion therapy, like many others in operation across the States, involves trying to change a person's sexual orientation from homosexual or bisexual to homosexual, often through religious or spiritual interventions. Game said in a Facebook post last week that he was "wrong" to lead the centre. He also apologised for his involvement in the programme.

“Please forgive me," he wrote.

“I certainly regret where I caused harm. Promoting the triadic model that blamed parents and conversion or prayer therapy, that made many people believe that their orientation was wrong, bad, sinful, evil, and worse that they could change was absolutely harmful.

“It’s all in my past, but many, way TOO MANY continue believing that there is something wrong with themselves and wrong with people that choose to live their lives honestly and open as gay, lesbian, trans, etc (...) Learn to love yourself and others.”

Game is one of many former conversion therapy leaders who have since left the practice and come out as gay.