Paul Darrow's former hedonistic lifestyle, glamorous careers and years spent embracing his same-sex attraction have provided him invaluable insight about today's alternative lifestyles. Many Catholics speak about homosexuality, sex-addiction and chastity, but Paul's knowledge of these hot-button issues comes from everyday lived experiences. He talks about them from a loving, healed heart. His life is now dedicated to bringing hope to others and to being a witness to the freedom and joy that awaits those who seek a more complete identity in Christ.
Paul moved to Manhattan immediately after graduating college and became a pleasure-seeker, an international fashion model and an atheist. He enthusiastically embraced his gay identity and addictions for decades. However, a series of grace-filled events turned his life around in astounding ways. His conversion story is so moving that he was invited to Rome to speak about it at the Pontifical University of Saint Thomas Aquinas. Before finishing is presentation, he pleaded with cardinals and other clergy to preserve current Church teaching on homosexuality. His presentation was especially timely because it took place just prior to the start of the Synod of Bishops on the Family.
Paul is one of the subjects of the award-winning film Desire of the Everlasting Hills, which was distributed to all the bishops at the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. He has been an invited guest on EWTN, Shalom World TV, Catholic Answers Live, numerous Catholic podcasts and on talk radio shows from coast to coast. Paul is a member of Courage International and a recipient of its Annual Service Award. Whether giving presentations to high school and college students, clergy and seminarians, teachers, penitentiary inmates or Catholic groups across the U.S. and in Europe, Paul shares his unusual testimony in order to be a living example that God's grace is infinitely more powerful than the greatest of human temptations.
Testimonials:
“You have allowed the Lord to use you in a profound way, and I can’t tell you how much your witness affected the hearts of the priests and deacons to whom you spoke in the Archdiocese. Your story is of course deeply compelling but, more importantly I think, your faith and courage set your witness apart. The spirit of God has made you bold, bold to stand up and proclaim God’s mercy and its fruitfulness in your life, bold to move from love’s imitation to love’s fullness. I was repeatedly told how moving your witness was for many of the priests and deacons, and how effective your words were, in touching hearts. One priest said he went from judging to loving in one afternoon, if that isn’t a miracle then I can’t imagine what would be." - Most Reverend Gerard W. Battersby, Auxiliary Bishop of Detroit/South Regional Moderator
"When my friends, parishioners and I attended Paul's presentations, we were filled with hope that even in our darkest moments, the light of Christ is waiting to welcome us back. Paul's story is truly inspiring, and there is no doubt that he has become a true and authentic witness to the mercy of Christ and His Holy Church." - Father Matthew Conley, Archdiocese of Boston
"After hearing Paul speak at different venues, I highly recommend him for any function related to human sexuality and God's plan. He is faithful to Church teaching yet maintains a heart full of compassion and understanding. His greatest gift is reaching people who are injured and helping them find their way back to the Church." - Kathy Schmugge, Director of Family Life, Archdiocese of Charleston
"For those with same-sex attraction, their loved-ones, and those who want to understand the issue at a deeper level, it will be challenging to find a more inspiring witness than Paul. His story is one of mercy, forgiveness, redemption, and true love--the love he re-discovered in Christ." - Mary Ann Jepsen, MACPC, LPCC Covenant Integrative Counseling; Radio Host, St. Gabriel Radio, Columbus
"When Paul shared his story with our parish, it was one of the most courageous, impressive, masculine and Christ-like things that I have ever seen. He exudes joy and peace!" - Matthew Chick, Coordinator of Youth Ministry, St. Mary's Parish, Holliston, MA
"In our broken and confused world, Paul's testimony needs to be heard by as many ears as possible. The approach that he uses to share his amazing experiences appeals to everyone, whether they experience same-sex attraction or not." - Jesse Martin, The Culture Project
