'Ex-gay' Evangelical pastor repeatedly arrested for lewd public homosexual acts

June 25, 8:00 AMInternational LGBT Issues ExaminerKelvin Lynch

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                 Pastor Matthew C. Manning

Pastor Matthew C. Manning, a prominent proponent of the "ex-gay" movement and leader of Lighthouse World Evangelism in Santa Rosa, California has a long history of arrests for public sexual misconduct. 

Manning claims he was "delivered from homosexuality" in 1989 and miraculously healed of AIDS through prayer in 1994.  He first gained noteriety on Roseanne Barr's talk show, and has appeared on numerous Christian television broadcasts, including The 700 Club and several episodes of The Joni Show on CBN, alongside Exodus president Alan Chambers and Focus on the Family's Mike Haley. 

David Roberts of Ex-Gay Watch located arrest records on Manning over the past 11 years on charges of sexual misconduct and/or lewd public acts:

• In 1998, Manning was arrested for soliciting sex from a male undercover police officer in a public park near Hansen Dam in Los Angeles.  The charges were dismissed or not prosecuted.
• In 2000, Manning was arrested for soliciting or engaging in lewd public behavior in North Hollywood.  He pleaded not guilty and demanded a jury trial, and was acquited in 2001.
• In 2005, Manning was arrested at a 24-Hour Fitness gym in Santa Rosa and charged with misdemeanor sexual battery for inappropriately touching a 22-year-old man against his will.  Manning entered a plea deal, and received a restraining order to stay away from both the victim and the gym for one year. 

According to its website, Lighthouse World Evangelism's philosphy is to "recognize the primacy of the spiritual truth revealed in the Bible and incarnate in Jesus Christ, and acknowledges that all truth, wherever it is found, is of God.  All truth finds its unity in God."

Responding to the arrests, Truth Wins Out director Wayne Besen said,

"We call on Manning to immediately close down his snake oil shop. We also urge those in the media who promoted his fake miracle to apologize and update their audience on the sordid facts that have been revealed.”

Roberts is conducint ongoing research on Manning's criminal past and says the results will be posted on Ex-Gay Watch in the next few days.  He is asking anyone who has had their own experience with Manning to contact him with any pertinent information. 

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