Written by Reg Domingo | 12 May 2011

GLBT Christian social and support group Freedom2b marked its fifth anniversary with a fun and festive celebration at the Sydney Marriot Hotel on Friday night.

Over 100 people attended the event, which included visitors from Western Australia, Queensland, Victoria and the UK. The night’s keynote speaker was the group’s patron, former High Court Judge Michael Kirby.

“Of course the anniversary dinner was only a microcosm of Freedom2b,” co-founder Anthony Venn-Brown told City Voice. “Behind the 100 at the dinner are two monthly chapter meetings in Sydney and Melbourne, youth groups in those cities, a forum of 1000 registered users on our online forum, over 200 personal stories, 4000 visits per month and 30 volunteers. Freedom2b has come a long way since I had the first get-together of 12 in my lounge room in 2005.

“I have no doubt though that we are only scratching the surface to overcome ignorance about sexuality in the Christian world. There are many closeted gay and lesbian people in churches and others who have left who need a safe space to talk about their experiences. Lives have been literally saved from suicide and we have lost count now of how many we have assisted to come out to friends and Christian parents.”

Twenty-nine of the group’s volunteers were honoured at the event, as well as former Baptist Chruch pastor Reverend Dr Rowland Croucher, for helping LGBT people become accepted in the Christian community.

“We also gave special recognition to John – [Christian Democrat Party candidate] Peter Madden’s brother – and Lisa Madden who apologised on behalf of the family for his brothers ignorant comments about Mardi Gras and the LGBT community, and marched with Freedom2b in this year’s Mardi Gras to show their support for equality. Photos: Jason Nichol