Sy Rogers misled me and I tried to be straight for the next 27 years

“I was 20 years old, and a Christian when I first met Sy Rogers. I was in the closet and severely troubled as I knew the Assemblies of God church I attended opposed homosexuality.

I was invited to a small private meeting in an upstairs’ room in Hindley St, Adelaide organised by some church group which I can no longer recall. I remember clearly though, from his talk and presentation, including photos of when he was dressed as a woman, I left believing that being gay must be a choice and I didn’t have to be gay if I didn’t want to be.

I was profoundly misled and went on to trying to be straight for the next 27 years.

I took every opportunity to hear Sy preach several times at C3 Oxford Falls and also at Hillsong. After the preaching, I’d always go and buy the recordings and studied what he had to say. If God could do it for Sy, then He could do it for me, I believed.

Whenever he preached, he gave me a false hope that I didn’t have to be gay, and I just had to keep trying. Trying meant prayers for deliverance, marrying a good Christian woman, having children, and constantly dealing with the guilt and shame of having gay thoughts daily.

One thing always bothered me – he never once said, “I am now completely straight and heterosexual”.

Don F.”

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.

One Comment

Stephen Douglas August 10, 2022 at 5:03 pm - Reply
Hi Don F,
It is a pity you speak about Sy misleading you, when he is no longer on earth to speak to this. If your last statement ‘always bothered’ is true; was there no opportunity to ask Sy?
My reading this week of Paul’s first letter to Christians at Thessalonian, (chapters 4 & 5) addresses the topic of ‘sanctification’ – this is the process of becoming more like Christ in our conduct and character. I have just started to read ‘Five Views on Sanctification’ by Mike Sullivan; could be helpful.
Regards Stephen D