Over a decade ago, out gay man Matthew Drapper was invited to a gay exorcism, covered up as “Encounter God Weekend.” The church that invited him, St. Thomas Philadelphia in the U.K., then had prayer leaders to literally “pray the gay away” from him. Drapper, telling his story in a
Them article, recites the terror he felt while someone was standing over his body to get rid of his “demons.” “Looking back, it seems like something out of a horror movie,” Drapper claims.
Now, after a 2022 – 2023 investigation and a legal claim against the church, Drapper obtains a five-figure settlement. Several years after 2014, Drapper finally gets some compensation from the church. (I say some because I don’t know if money could make up for what Drapper has gone through. However, that is just my opinion and I could be wrong.)
According to his lawyer, Richard Scorer, “As far as I am aware, this is the first ever payment of damages in respect of harm caused by conversion or exorcism practices.” Because of this event, Scorer continues, it makes it clear to all churches that they can receive legal punishment for these homophobic practices. Hopefully, it can ban gay exorcism all together in the U.K., maybe even countries out side it.
How we can Move Forward
Sometimes, surprise grips my whole body that gay exorcism still exists and is legal. I am sure it has caught other people off guard too. Based on this case, though, homophobes might actually receive legal repercussions. I agree with Scorer; it might lead to gay conversion bans and even laws protecting people from transphobia.
Sure, there are people who still stay stuck in the past, but we need to keep fighting. No matter what they say, we can always improve society. So please, stand up against queer-phobia. It helps everyone.
Photo Courtesy of Public Domain Pictures
