Anthony Venn-Brown honoured for LGBTQ community work.

Now in their ninth year, the Honour Awards recognises outstanding achievements within or contributions to NSW’s LGBTI community. The awards are also a gala fundraising event for ACON, NSW’s leading HIV and LGBTI health organisation.

This year there were a record number of 250 nominations and Anthony Venn-Brown was selected as one of the 30 finalists from across eight categories covering the business, health, education, community, legal, political, media and cultural sectors. The winners were announced and presented with their awards at the gala ceremony at the Ivy Ballroom in Sydney last night. The event was attended by over 350 people.

Anthony walked away with the Health and Welling Being Award for over 20 years of providing leadership and support for LGBTI people of faith and for working to bring ex-gay/conversion therapy practices to an end in Australia.

Upon receiving his award, Anthony first acknowledged the contributions of all the finalists. “We belong to an incredible community,” he said, “and my heart always swells with pride at events like this.”

“We do what we do, not for acknowledgment, awards, or accolades, we do it because it’s important and often lifesaving,” he continued, “but this award is the hugest thank you I could ever receive. I am humbled and also very grateful.”

Concluding his brief acceptance speech, Anthony said that the most appropriate sign off would be the final words of his autobiography, A Life of Unlearning, “GOD I LOVE MY TRIBE!!!”

#Honour15 Congratulations to Anthony Venn Brown –-Winner Health& Wellbeing Award
— Honour Awards 2015 (@HonourAwards) September 30, 2015

Media Inquiries

Anthony Venn-Brown (OAM)

Founder and CEO Ambassadors & Bridge Builders International www.abbi.org.au

Author of the bestseller “A Life of Unlearning – a preacher’s struggle with his homosexuality, church and faith” www.ALifeOfUnlearning.com

Mobile: 0416 015 231

Email: anthony@abbi.org.au

Ambassadors & Bridge Builders International’s mission is to create understanding and acceptance for LGBTI people, empower community members and build bridges with religious organisations and leaders.

About the Author: Anthony Venn-Brown OAM

Anthony Venn-Brown OAM, is one of Australia’s foremost commentators on faith and sexuality. His bestselling autobiography 'A Life of Unlearning – a preacher’s struggle with his homosexuality, church and faith', details his journey from being a national Pentecostal leader and famous preacher, preaching to 1000s every weekend in Australia’s growing mega-churches, such as Hillsong, to living as an openly gay man. Anthony was one of the first in the world to experience religious gay conversion 'therapy' and has worked to see the practice cease. Anthony was the co-founder and former leader of Freedom2b. He is an educator and consultant on LGBT/faith issues and leader in deconstructing the ex-gay/reparative/conversion therapy myth. Anthony is the founder and CEO of Ambassadors & Bridge Builders International. Anthony has been recognised on a number of occasions for his contribution and impact including being twice voted one of 'The 25 Most Influential Gay and Lesbian Australians’ (2007 and 2009) and in June 2020 he was awarded the 'Order of Australia Medal' (OAM) for service to the LGBTIQ community.