| Greetings! | |
Some background
In June 2005 I was invited to speak at a Pride event in Brisbane called 'The Impact of Christian Fundamentalism on the LGBT Community'. Phill and Alan, the organisers, expected about 20 or 30 to show up but the event pulled around 100 people with standing room only. Phill had contacted me after reading my autobiography and wasn't long before we realised that I had taught him in Sunday School at The Christian Faith Centre and Logos Foundations charismatic conferences in the 70's. Talk about a blast from the past.
During the weekend staying with Phill and Alan we discussed the possibility of setting up a group for LGBT people from our background (Pentecostal and Charismatic); something that didn't exist. In 2000 I had commenced an online ex-gay survivor group with nearly 300 people and I was very aware of the enormous needs that existed in gay and lesbian people from these backgrounds.
In September 2005, we launched Freedom 2 b[e] with a handful of interested people. Over the last 6 years it has grown and had a positive impact on so many lives; literally saving some from suicide.
Where is Freedom 2 b[e] today?
The organisation is strong on many levels.
- Freedom 2 b[e] is a unique organisation. Whilst there are numerous gay Christian groups there is nothing like Freedom 2 b[e] which instead of being a Christian organisation as such, is a network of people from the same background but taken different journeys. All are respected and acknowledged in Freedom 2 b[e].
- Melbourne monthly chapter meetings with 20-30 attending under the leadership of Linda and Michelle
- Sydney monthly chapter meetings with 40-60 attending which I have been running for the nearly 6 years. As of tonight it is in the hands of a great team. David, Shane, Ben, Hannah.
- Regular youth (18-30) events in Sydney and Melbourne led by Ben and Duane
- Brisbane chapter opening soon which already has a strong core of great people
- This year's anniversary dinner was a sell-out event at the Marriott Hotel with our Patron Hon. Michael Kirby speaking
- At the dinner we acknowledged an honoured 30 leaders and volunteers
- Freedom 2 b[e] has marched in the Mardi Gras parade for the last 5 years. This year being the best yet with 100 people including parents of gay children and children with gay parents. The team, Shane, Sam, Ben, John, Ash, Alex and Michelle did an amazing job.
- The online community has 1000 registered users and gets 4000 visitors per month who come and read the 230 personal stories and check out resources. This is wonderfully managed as a safe space by several moderators headed up by the chief moderator Ann Maree.
- Last month we emptied the Freedom 2 b[e] kitty and brought 16 or our leaders together to take them through a suicide awareness and prevention program run by Rodney Cole from Wesley Mission LifeForce. A great investment considering some of the situations we face.
Why have I resigned?
People have asked me this question as if there was some sinister plot or hidden reason......hehe. As I am sure some of know already I have been wearing three hats for several years....which has been very demanding and challenging.
1. Co-founder and Convenor of Freedom 2 b[e].
2. Doing ambassadorial work for the LGBT community and bridge building activities
3. Running a coaching business.
The latter has been the only source of income and giving up to 40 hours voluntarily per week to Freedom 2 b[e] was proving too much. Other work which is also important to me has been on hold for too long. It's time to move on and let all the wonderful people in Freedom 2 b[e] continue to take the organisation to new levels of effectiveness and growth.
I would like to say thank you to all the fantastic people in the Freedom 2 b[e] community; particularly the leaders and board members who also spend many hours giving to the organisation. I have every confidence that Freedom 2 b[e] will continue to go from strength to strength.
If you would like more information you can read the Freedom 2 b[e] statement Anthony Venn-Brown Departs freedom 2 b[e] here . Or you can also read the press reports Venn-Brown leaves Freedom 2 b[e] and Freedom 2 b[e] farewells its leader
What now?
It's now time to get on to other things. I will detail those things more in the next newsletter but basically I will be involved in:
So as you see I am not walking away from 'the cause' , that is, creating equality and acceptance through education, information and dialogue. As you may have heard me say numerous times 'the enemy is not individuals, political parties, churches or denominations; the enemy is ignorance'. I'm just being more targeted.
I am expecting good things.....are you?
Sincerely
Anthony Venn-Brown
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Would you like to help?
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Enormous unnecessary suffering is caused by people's lack of understanding about sexual orientation. Ignorance in this area impacts not only gay and lesbian people themselves but families, educational institutions and workplaces. This is especially true for those from religious backgrounds and certain cultures.
- High suicide rates among LGBT youth and people from religious backgrounds
- Existence of "ex-gay" programs that attract the emotionally vulnerable and tormented with false promises of change
- Eventual breakdown of marriages when one partner believed heterosexual marriage would solve their 'problem'
- Depression and other mental health issues caused by the perceived conflict of faith and sexuality
- Self-destructive and obsessive behaviours as a result of internalized homophobia
- Religious organizations reinforcing myths & maintaining stereotypes about LGBT people & their relationships
- Fragmented relationships when families and friends reject the gay or lesbian person who 'comes out'
Do you believe this work is important?
Would you be interested in helping to support financially?
This includes organisations, businesses and individuals. If you would like more information of how to become a supporter, partner of champion then send an inquiry email using this link anthony@anthonyvennbrown.com
Thanks.
Love Property supports the work. Love Property provides researched property solutions for investors. We help individuals invest in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Darwin, Cairns. When you want sound investment property advice contact Love Property and ask for Jason.
Email me to learn more about how to have your company name here.
anthony@anthonyvennbrown.com
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| Videos and Resources on YouTube |
- ALOU Launch 2004 Rebekah & Hannah Part 1 See my wonderful daughters make over 300 people laugh and cry in the space of a couple of minutesALOU Launch 2004 Anthony Venn Brown Part 2 Obviously I was speaking prophetically in 2004 its now happened over and over again.
- Anthony Venn-Brown on 7's Sunrise - Everyday Peopleis probably one of the best interviews I've done. Channel 7 liked it so much they played again on the Morning Show.
- Anthony Venn-Brown Comes Out on Shine. Dean Carey, Director of Actors Centre Australia, interviews gay ambassador Anthony Venn-Brown on Shine along with singer David Campbell. Meet my lovely daughters
- Gay Ambassador Anthony Venn-Brown interviewed on Queer TV . Anthony Venn-Brown talks about his journey, being a gay ambassador, his 50th birthday, the new edition of his autobiography, a conversation with the Hon. Michael Kirby and meeting with the Assemblies of God.
- Honey I'm gay! Sydney Morning Heralds Sexpert, Brooke Hemphill, interviews Coach & Author Anthony Venn-Brown. "It's better to live one day on the planet being true to yourself than an entire lifetime which is a lie." "When we choose to live authentically, we chip away at others prisons' of pretend." "I'd rather be rejected for who I am, than accepted for who I'm not."
- Being Gay in a Heterosexual Marriage - Channel 7 Sunrise . Coach and Author Anthony Venn-Brown speaks on Australia's national breakfast show, Channel 7's Sunrise about being gay but in a heterosexual marriage. For many of us, being gay, lesbian or bisexual in a heterosexual marriage was not a choice of intentional deception. Our marriages were the result of the pressure to conform. Some of us grew up in a society where homosexuality was considered a perversion or psychologic.al illness. When we married, we did so believing it was the right thing to do and expecting it would change what we perceived was faulty within us. Was the current knowledge on sexual orientation available to us then, our choices would have been different.
- Dad's Coming Out 60 Minutes Pt 1 . What do you do if you are gay but in heterosexual marriage? What about the wife and kids? Is it worthwhile coming out? Who gets hurt? How to move on? What about the parents when their child comes out?
- Dad's Coming Out - 60 Minutes Pt 2
- Coming soon ABC's 'Hungry Beast'
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| Professional Coaching Available | |
Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and those questioning their sexual identity
- Married, Gay or Bi - What to do?
- Coming Out Strategic Plan - Why? When? Who? How? What?
- Resolving faith/sexuality issues
Email me directly for more information anthony@anthonyvennbrown.com
Please Note: US, UK, Asia, NZ, Australia or anywhere in the world, coaching can be done effectively either on the phone , via the internet or face to face (if you live in Sydney). Your privacy is always respected and strict confidentiality assured.
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Personal
- Building a Healthy Self-Image
- Creating a Fulfilling Life in Singleness
- Relationships
- Negotiating Life Transitions, Re-inventing Yourself
- Mid Life - Turn Your Crisis into a Quest
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