Cook resigned in 1986 following a scandal involving him allegedly having sex with 12 out of the 14 male clients interviewed from 1980 to 1986. HA uses a 14-step program developed by Cook, based on his own experiences. Ĭhristopher Melilo, Colin Cook and Douglas McIntyre, who had all struggled with same-sex attractions, founded HA in 1980 with financial support from the Seventh-day Adventist denomination.

This approach has been criticized for stressing that a person must renounce homosexuality to be a Christian, and because there is no valid scientific evidence that sexual orientation can be changed. In common with other Christian fundamentalist groups, HA regards heterosexuality as 'the universal creation-norm'. Homosexuals Anonymous ( HA) is an ex-gay group which practices conversion therapy and describes itself as 'a fellowship of men and women, who through their common emotional experience, have chosen to help each other live in freedom from homosexuality.' HA regards homosexual orientation as 'sexual brokeness' that may be 'healed' through faith in Jesus Christ.