Forrest Gump actor Gary Sinise has pulled out of the annual conference of a Catholic business organization that believes homosexuality is a ‘disorder’ that can be ‘cured.’

The Oscar-nominated veterans activist today (13 January) said he did not know about Legatus’ ‘views on personal matters’ when he agreed to speak at the summit.

‘For me, faith has been a catalyst for my mission to honor the men and women who serve in our nation’s military,’ he said.

‘When I accepted the invitation to speak at the Legatus conference about veterans issues and share my story, I was unaware of the controversy surrounding some of the participants, and their views on personal matters.

‘I don’t want my mission—which is designed to be unifying—to be disrupted by these, or any controversies, and therefore have decided to withdraw.’

Sinise is the founder of a veterans charity and was scheduled to speak at the event in Florida later this month alongside the anti-gay Louisana governor, Bobby Jindal, and Fox anchor Bret Baier.

Comedian Bob Newhart pulled out of last year’s event after GLAAD accused Legatus of harboring a ‘harsh anti-LGBT agenda.’

Legatus believes same-sex attraction is a ‘disorder’ that ‘leaves an individual disposed toward activities and a lifestyle that are dangerous — physically, emotionally and spiritually.’

The group promotes the use of ‘ex-gay’ therapies and claims ‘significant numbers of homosexual persons have undergone treatment and had their sexual drives properly ordered.’