First Global Group for Gay Pentecostals Launched

11 October 2005

Medial Release

First Global Group for Gay Pentecostals Launched

It seemed a small number to begin a global network (15 people in a lounge room in Surry Hills, Sydney) but Anthony Venn-Brown is optimistic growth will happen relatively quickly. Freedom 2 B(e) is a network that has been created to connect and support GLBTIQ people from Pentecostal and Charismatic backgrounds. The group was launched the previous weekend with 11 people in Brisbane. Already it seems there are many more interested in joining up. The network is giving these people a voice and taking them out of isolation.

Anthony Venn-Brown, once a popular leader within the Assemblies of God and a regular preacher in the Hillsong churches, hosted the first meetings. His autobiography ‘A LIFE OF UNLEARNING Coming Out of the Church – One Man’s Struggle’ was awarded the Sydney Gay & Lesbian Business Associations Gay Book of the Year.

“Once my story was released, it was like I’d pulled the cork on the bottle, Anthony Venn-Brown said.

“Suddenly I was inundated with emails telling tragic stories of suicides, failed marriages, psychological damage and gay youth being rejected by their Christian parents.”

“I know how difficult the journey to reconciliation can be. For 22 years I tried desperately to change my sexual orientation through psychiatric treatment, exorcisms and ex-gay programs. I was also married for 16 years and have two daughters, but eventually I had to admit that nothing had changed. I was still gay.” Venn-Brown said.

“Having come to a place of resolution myself, I can use my experience to help others. Over the last 12 months, I know of at least 4 people who were seriously contemplating suicide, but today, through reading my autobiography, are free of the torment. It’s okay to provide an ambulance at the foot of the cliff, but I’d like to build a safety fence at the top as well.” Venn-Brown added.

Freedom 2 B(e) is not unlike other denominational groups such as Acceptance, Integrity, Courage, Dignity, Kinship and Affirmation that have been created to help GLBTIQ (gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, intersex and questioning) people resolve issues of faith and sexual orientation.

“We will be providing support, information and a safe place for people still in or who have left Pentecostal/Charismatic churches. This will be done through our website www.freedom2b.org and also regular meetings,” added Venn-Brown.

More Media information available from:

Anthony Venn-Brown

Mobile: 0416 015 231

About the Author: Anthony Venn-Brown OAM

Anthony Venn-Brown OAM is one of Australia’s foremost commentators on faith and sexuality. A former Pentecostal leader who preached to thousands weekly in mega-churches like Hillsong, As a young man, Anthony was one of the first in the world to undergo religious conversion "therapy", a practice he has since spent decades successfully fighting to dismantle. He is the author of the bestselling autobiography and Australian gay classic, A Life of Unlearning, founder of Ambassadors & Bridge Builders International (ABBI). He was twice voted one of 'The 25 Most Influential Gay and Lesbian Australians’ (2007 and 2009) and in 2020, Anthony was awarded the Order of Australia Medal (OAM) for his service to the LGBTIQ community.

2 Comments

Ian Cameron Wood 06/11/2023 at 11:04 am - Reply

Wonderful news. Well done, Anthony and everyone else involved.
- Anthony Venn-Brown OAM 06/11/2023 at 11:33 am - Reply
  
  Thanks Ian…..but it was 2005. I’m ensuring some history is being archived. Sadly we were never able to getting funding or people to support us financially. I burnt out several times running the organisation. which was like a full time job and emotionally draining. In the end I had to resign but recouped and founded ABBI. Eventually Freedom2b closed down. This Friday we celebrate 10 years of ABBI and hopefully will gain some more supporters to jon the #ABBIfamily and raise much needed funds