Matthias is a psychotherapist, author of the book Beyond Shame: Creating a Healthy Sex Life on Your Own Terms, and the host of Queerology: A Podcast on Belief and Being. He grew up in the midwest in a conservative Christian community during the purity movement of the ’80s and ’90s. Realizing that he was gay as an adolescent he set out to change his same-sex attraction. This journey actually led him to accept his own sexuality. Today he is helping LGBTQI plus people connect and live fulfilling lives by writing and speaking nationwide. He also serves on the board of Beloved Arise, a non-profit dedicated to fighting for the lives of queer youth of faith.