Matthew Grech, a 36-year-old man from the Mediterranean island nation of Malta, was acquitted on March 4 after more than three years of legal proceedings over sharing his testimony about leaving a homosexual lifestyle. The case drew wide attention as it was the first prosecution under Malta’s Affirmation of Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Gender Expression Act.
Since 2018, Grech has been widely known for actively sharing his personal story of transformation. In his public testimonies, he stated, “Homosexuality is not a fixed identity but something that can be changed or overcome.” He emphasized that Christians should understand sexual ethics according to biblical teaching, and that one cannot embrace both the Christian faith and a homosexual lifestyle at the same time.
A Lawsuit Between Religious and Speech Freedom vs. LGBT Protection Laws
In April 2022, he was invited by Malta’s independent media outlet PMnews Malta to share his views on the increasing number of Western policies banning “conversion therapy.” During the interview, he spoke about his earlier years, when he felt uncertain about his sexual orientation and sense of masculinity, leading him into same-sex relationships. He subsequently converted to Christianity and repented of his past actions. He described his transformation as “leaving the homosexual lifestyle behind and becoming a born-again Christian.” He explained that this change did not come through any forced treatment, but through prayer, faith, and counseling — a process of rebuilding his life.
After the interview was broadcast, Grech and the two journalists who conducted it faced charges following complaints from LGBT activists in Malta of “promoting conversion therapy,” allegedly violating Article 3 of the Affirmation of Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Gender Expression Act. The charge carried a possible fine of up to 5,000 euros (about HKD 45,000) or imprisonment for up to five months.
Due to these accusations, Grech appeared in court 17 times over three years. The court ultimately ruled that he had merely shared his personal experience and had not promoted or provided “conversion therapy,” and therefore declared him not guilty.
In a Facebook video released after the verdict, Grech expressed gratitude, saying, “This is an important day. I am very thankful that the Maltese court upheld freedom of speech and religion, declaring that I have every right to share the Christian perspective on sex and gender, and to mention organizations that help Christians live out their faith.”
Ongoing Legal Threats Against Those Who Do Not Support LGBT Ideology
His legal counsel warned that if the prosecution had succeeded in securing a conviction Christians who share testimonies of leaving homosexuality, it would have set a precedent in Europe that limits Christian freedom of expression. Grech hopes this ruling will protect others across Europe who have had similar experiences.
However, he also noted that the Affirmation of Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Gender Expression Act — the law that triggered his prosecution remains in effect. He called on the European Commission to ensure that legislation banning “conversion therapy” has no place in Europe. He said that some activists are attempting to use such laws to persecute anyone who does not support LGBT ideology. “It doesn’t matter what the law says. What matters is that activists will use it to target anyone who holds different views on issues of sex and gender,” he said.
In a 2023 interview with Fox News, Grech commented that it was deeply ironic that a Christian was being prosecuted for sharing his faith in Malta — a country historically rooted in Catholicism and one of the first Roman colonies to convert to Christianity.
“Whatever the Cost, We Will Not Bow to It”
Citing Acts 28, Grech compared himself and other Christians navigating struggles with their sexuality to the Apostle Paul’s experience of being bitten by a viper on the island of Malta. The Scripture records that a snake leapt from the fire and fastened on Paul’s hand, and the onlookers thought he was cursed by God; but when the venom did not harm him, they realized the truth was otherwise.
He said, “I believe that when we look to God, our Savior, we can withstand this ‘snake’ that tries to poison and harm us, and people’s perceptions will change.”
While expressing hope for a better future for the nation, he said that it must begin by tearing down the idols of this age. He urged believers to boldly declare: “Whatever the cost, we will not bow to it [the idol].”
(Source: Christian Post)
