Core Issues Trust vs. transgender people

Core Issues Trust is an anti-transgender religious organization based in Northern Ireland. The group claims to be “challenging gender confusion” and supporting the ex-gay and ex-transgender movements. According to their website, “We support those leaving LGBT identities, behaviours, attractions and life choices. We campaign for the freedom to access pastoral care, counselling and therapeutic choice, now under threat, internationally, by ‘conversion therapy’ bans.”

Core Issues Trust is closely associated with International Federation for Therapeutic and Counseling Choice.

Background

Core Issues Trust (CIT) was founded in 2007 by ex-gay activist Mike Davidson. Davidson claims to be no longer gay. The organization developed from Davidson’s involvement in Christian counseling networks. By 2010, CIT was publicly promoting its position that homosexual feelings and behaviours could be changed and that individuals should have the freedom to seek such assistance.

In June 2011, CIT hosted a conference in Belfast titled “Interrogating the Pejoratives: Considering Therapeutic Approaches and Contexts for those Conflicted in Sexual Identity.”

In April 2012, CIT ran a London bus advertising campaign stating: “Not gay! Ex-gay, post-gay and proud. Get over it!”

Between 2013 and 2014, Davidson was removed from psychotherapy registers due to Davidson’s views on sexuality and counselling ethics.

In 2018, CIT released the documentary Voices of the Silenced, featuring individuals who described positive experiences with conversion-oriented approaches. In 2019, it promoted Once Gay: Matthew and Friends, a film featuring Maltese singer and ex-gay activist Matthew Grech.

From 2020 onward, CIT has campaigned against proposed bans on conversion practices in the UK and Northern Ireland, arguing that such legislation could restrict voluntary religious counselling.

Anti-trans activism

By the late 2010s, CIT began explicitly addressing transgender topics. It criticised what it described as the “normalisation” of transgender identities

CIT also became involved with the wider international network around the International Foundation for Therapeutic and Counselling Choice (IFTCC).

In 2021, CIT was involved in launching or promoting X-Out-Loud, a campaign featuring people who described themselves as formerly LGBT-identified or who rejected LGBT identities.

People

The following people have been listed as officers of Core Issues Trust:

Michael Robert “Mike” Davidson
Andrew Lennox McFarlane
Tony Darren Rucinski
Christopher Michael Neville Sugden
Simon Anthony Gunning Wyatt
Matthew Grech
Elene Haralambous
Lisa Severine Nolland
Dermot Brian O’Callaghan – safeguarding officer
Andrea Rose Williams

References

Staff report (July 3, 2018). ‘Gay conversion therapy’: Group to seek legal advice on ban”. BBC https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-44697530

Duffy, Nick (June 26, 2019). The “ex-gay” man at centre of gay cure therapy film is still attracted to men. PinkNews https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2019/02/20/ex-gay-cure-therapy-film-men/

Meredith, Fionola (April 20, 2019). The Irishman who claims to help people with ‘unwanted same-sex attractions.’ Irish Times https://www.irishtimes.com/life-and-style/people/the-irishman-who-claims-to-help-people-with-unwanted-same-sex-attractions-1.3858250

Williams, Alex (February 15, 2019). Belfast church protest over X-Factor Malta contestant’s ‘ex-gay’ film. Premier https://www.premier.org.uk/News/UK/Belfast-church-protest-over-X-Factor-Malta-contestant-s-ex-gay-film

Southall, Amy (February 8, 2018). Core Issues Trust: The group whose ‘gay cure’ film has become a scandal. Talk Radio https://talkradio.co.uk/news/core-issues-trust-group-whose-gay-cure-film-has-become-scandal-18020823890

Booth, Robert (April 13, 2012). Anti-gay adverts pulled from bus campaign by Boris Johnson. The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/world/2012/apr/12/anti-gay-adverts-boris-johnson

Anti-trans coverage

Zaimov, Stoyan (February 6, 2018). 15 Ex-Gays, Lesbians ‘Come Out of Homosexuality’ in Documentary Film by Christian Ministry. Christian Post https://www.christianpost.com/news/15-ex-gays-lesbians-come-out-of-homosexuality-in-documentary-film-by-christian-ministry.html

Moreton, Cole (April 21, 2012). The man who believes he can help gay people turn straight. The Telegraph https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/religion/9218545/The-man-who-believes-he-can-help-gay-people-turn-straight.html

Victoria O’Hara (14 June 2011). Row over ‘gay conversion’ conference held at church. Belfast Telegraph https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/row-over-gay-conversion-conference-held-at-church-28626776.html

Selected writing by Core Issues Trust

Staff report (July 10, 2026). Response to Amnesty International Report. https://core-issues.org/response-to-amnesty-international-report/

CIT Strategy Group (May 2022). Out of Harm’s Way: Safeguarding at Core Issues Trust. https://core-issues.org/UserFiles/File/Safeguarding/Safety_Out_of_Harms_Way_revised_2022_R1.pdf

CIT Strategy Group (May 11, 2020). Out of Harm’s Way: Safeguarding at Core Issues Trust. https://core-issues.org/UserFiles/File/Safeguarding/Out_of_Harm_s_Way_Final_11.05.20.pdf

Rosik, Christopher (2016). Sexual Attraction Fluidity Exploration in Therapy (SAFE-T): Creating a clearer impression of professional therapies that allow for change. https://core-issues.org/UserFiles/File/SAFE_T/Rosik_on_SAFE_T.pdf