In a video uploaded to his channel on August 21, YouTube star Lohanthony — whose real name is Anthony Quintal — announced to fans that he has been called to “Christian celibacy,” and said that coming out as gay when he was a teenager was because he was “trying to find God’s love.” According to Teen Vogue, “Christian celibacy” is “a term LGBTQ+ people have pointed out echoes ideas peddled in conversion therapy — a harmful and discredited practice attempting to change someone’s sexual orientation or gender identity.”

Throughout the 41-minute video, the now 21-year-old revealed his past experience with sexual assault and said those “situations” led him to question his sexuality because he was “so damaged, so broken, so bruised.”

“When I entered middle school, I began what would be my decade-long search for gay love that would ultimately end with disappointment toward the solace I thought I was bred to solely find in men,” Anthony said. “A void which would later be filled by Jesus Christ.”

He also opened up about his past substance abuse and seemingly correlated his issues with addiction to his sexuality.

“It’s no coincidence that through pursuing my same-sex attraction I was also addicted to alcohol, I was also addicted to weed, I was also trying hallucinogenics, I was also addicted to money, I was also addicted to views, I was addicted to attention,” he said.

Following his upload, fans took to social media and expressed their concern for Anthony with some saying the situation is “horrifying” and others adding that it’s “scary.” Mathew Shurka — the co-founder of the anti-conversion therapy advocacy organization Born Perfect — told Insider that the language Anthony used in the video was “incredibly dangerous” and “upsetting” for viewers.

“That scares me, because a lot of teenagers to 20-something-year-olds are definitely watching him,” Mathew added.

Days after his initial video, on August 26, Anthony uploaded another and apologized for the “hurt” he caused with his videos “regarding celibacy, regarding sobriety, regarding being saved by Lord Jesus Christ.” Addressing the response he received on social media, Anthony asked followers to forgive him if his words were offensive.

“I promise I’m not here to offend, I’m not here to condemn. That’s not a part of my purpose at all,” he explained before denying having gone to conversion therapy. “I have been changed, but I do not support conversion camp or conversion therapy.”

He added, “I felt a call from God to take a look at my sexuality, take a look at my sexual life. Everything I’ve been through, all the lusts that I actively feel and do something about it in Jesus’ name.”

Anthony explained that he attempted to overcome sexuality along with various other “temptations” — including gluttony and overindulgence. He concluded the video by thanking viewers for “hearing him out” and “listening” to the “world of God” through him.

If you or anyone you know has been sexually abused, call the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673). A trained staff member will provide confidential, judgment-free support as well as local resources to assist in healing, recovering and more.

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