Christian counsellor targeted by homosexual journalist

Lesley Pilkington, a Christian counsellor with over 20 years’ experience is facing a Professional Conduct Panel on Thursday 20 January after an extraordinary targeting and betrayal by an undercover homosexual activist falsely pretending to be a Christian in need of help.

Lesley is being represented by Standing Counsel to the Christian Legal Centre, Paul Diamond.  She has to defend herself against a formal complaint by Patrick Strudwick, a homosexual writer and activist who met her at a Christian conference. Acting undercover, he told Lesley that he wanted to leave his homosexual lifestyle and wanted help to change. Lesley confirmed that she would be happy to meet with Patrick but only within a Christian counselling context.

Throughout the two subsequent therapy sessions, Patrick repeatedly told Lesley that he wanted to leave his homosexual lifestyle and that he wanted to change.  However, after the sessions (which he secretly recorded), he then lodged a complaint to the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy alleging that Lesley had tried to force her beliefs on him.

Those offering counselling for men and women wanting to change their homosexual behaviour have been increasingly targeted by the homosexual lobby, many of whom do not accept that people can change their behaviour. Since writing the article, Patrick has become a campaigner against those offering such treatments and has organised protests at various religious conventions. He has stated in interviews that no-one can change their sexual orientation and attempts to do so are extremely harmful.

However, in 2006, the homosexual rights activist Peter Tatchell wrote in The Guardian: ‘Much as I would love to go along with the fashionable "born gay" consensus (it would be very politically convenient), I can't. The evidence does not support the idea that sexuality is a fixed biological given.’

Mr Strudwick also published an attacking article in The Independent newspaper about Lesley, subsequently receiving the journalist of the year award by the homosexual-rights organisation Stonewall!

Unfortunately, those offering counselling for homosexual orientation have been increasingly targeted by the homosexual lobby.

Lesley is a wonderful, highly professional Christian counsellor, who has practised for many years with an unblemished record.  When a young man asked for help to change his behaviour, she was happy to give it. Rather than breaching his autonomy, Lesley provided exactly what was asked of her. It is shocking that she was targeted, lied to and misrepresented by this homosexual activist; and even worse that her professional body consider her actions worthy of investigation.

I would hope that many would also support Lesley in prayer over the coming days.