US EditionGay man wins payout over church ‘exorcism’
SHEFFIELD, ENGLAND, JUL 15 – Matthew Drapper received a five-figure settlement after an exorcism aimed to change his sexuality, marking the UK’s first known compensation for harm from conversion therapy, lawyers said.
- Last week, St Thomas Philadelphia paid a five-figure settlement to Matthew Drapper, marking what Richard Scorer says is the first ever payment of damages for harm caused by exorcism practices.
- In 2014, during an Encounter God weekend at St Thomas Philadelphia, prayer leaders told Drapper he suffered demonic possession, prompting a formal complaint in 2019.
- Volunteers reported the exorcism would eliminate 'demons of homosexuality', and Drapper said he became depressed and contemplated suicide afterward.
- Following the independent review, St Thomas Philadelphia apologized and acknowledged it had failed to care for Drapper, and responded with regret.
- Advocates hope this payout will bolster efforts to ban conversion practices and support survivors online, as the Labour-led UK government has pledged to outlaw conversion therapy.
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An exorcism to be "cured" of homosexuality. It sounds like something from the Middle Ages, or a horror film like The Exorcist. But for 37-year-old Matthew Drapper from England, it was a terrifying experience he'll never forget.
·Amersfoort, Netherlands
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Total News Sources15
Leaning Left4Leaning Right2Center3Last UpdatedBias Distribution44% Left
Bias Distribution
- 44% of the sources lean Left
44% Left
L 44%
C 33%
R 22%
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