LGBTQ Religious Trauma, Resolution Options and PTSD

Having worked with 1,000s of LGBTQ people from Christian backgrounds, I’ve had lots of experience with LGBTQ Religious Trauma. I was invited to join a lineup of 15 speakers at the Shameless Sexuality: Life After Purity Culture conference in the US.

In my presentation ‘A Life of Unlearning – from Gay Shame to Gay Pride’, I cover four themes.

Scripture resolution process – for LGBTQ people from strongly biblically-based churches, one of the major sources of conflict are the six passages that speak of same-sex activity. It is important to not only understand the historical and cultural contexts of these isolated passages but also the cognitive process that enables us to find resolution.
Belief resolution options – when your Christian belief system is challenged, many people feel there are only two options; accept or reject. I present 10 different options.
Sexuality resolution process – why is coming out for many LGBTQ people from Christian backgrounds so difficult? Does acceptance of your sexuality solve the problems? How do you know when you have arrived?
PTSD and strategies of management – it is not uncommon for LGBTQ from Christian backgrounds to have experienced some level of trauma. This trauma can simply trigger a variety of subconscious and conscious responses whilst others develop complex PTSD. In this section, I share 14 strategies I’ve used to manage my PTSD.

Please leave questions and comments below, or on our YouTube Channel.

Please share through your social media networks.

Thanks

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.