A contestant on the hit BBC show The Traitors has spoken out about the time a religious community in Northern Ireland tried to subject him to so-called conversion therapy in an attempt to 'cure' his sexuality.
From Private Disclosure to Public Pressure
Matthew Hyndman, a 35-year-old creative director originally from Londonderry and now based in Edinburgh, is currently appearing in the programme's fourth series. His ordeal began back in 2015 after private online conversations, in which he disclosed he was a gay man, were accidentally shared via email with his entire congregation.
This led to immense pressure from his religious community. Hyndman has revealed in an op-ed for the Independent that he was pushed to undergo conversion therapy in front of 400 fellow missionaries. Reflecting on the mental toll, he stated he was glad to have had the strength to refuse, recognising he did not need to change.
The Fight for a Legislative Ban
Following his personal experience, Hyndman took action. In 2020, he founded the Ban Conversion Therapy movement, a UK-wide coalition that includes organisations like Stonewall, campaigning to outlaw practices that seek to suppress or change a person's sexual orientation or gender identity.
He describes these 'treatments' as degrading and discriminatory and argues they ruin lives. Despite the UK government first pledging to ban conversion therapy in 2018, legislation is still not in place. Hyndman criticises those who resist a ban, arguing that even prayer in a homophobic context holds 'pernicious power'.
The same church that pressured him later sent a formal letter cancelling his membership due to his 'lifestyle choices' and refusal to undergo therapy.
A Larger Platform for Advocacy
Now, as a competitor on the latest season of The Traitors, which continues on BBC One and iPlayer from January 14, Hyndman has a significant new platform to raise awareness for his campaign. His appearance on the show has already garnered attention for his strategic gameplay.
His story highlights a wider issue. A recent survey indicated that one in 10 LGBTQ+ people in the UK have undergone an 'exorcism' as a form of conversion therapy. Hyndman's mission is to ensure no one else faces such coercion, emphasising that refusing often means losing family, faith, and community—a choice made without free will.
