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 [...]
Webinar for counsellors, therapists, chaplains, youth workers, telephone counsellors, pastors and LGBTI service providers CONVERSION THERAPY AND LGBTI PEOPLE OF FAITH Presented by the Australian College of Relationship Counsellors (ACRC) and the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA) The mental health challenges of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) people have been well [...]
LGBTI Religious Suicide Why we'll never be able to count the cost For some time now we have known about the higher risk of LGBT suicide which includes ideation and attempts (See stats here) but thoughts of and attempts to suicide are much higher for LGBT people from faith backgrounds. Research is now demonstrating something [...]
Conversion Therapy in Australia The state of the nation ‘I have been through conversion therapy including help from pastors, counsellors and Christian acquaintances, I have been at this attempt to change for 14 years. I am currently in a relationship with a woman who I love, but down deep I am in a lot of [...]
KILLING US, DRIVING US CRAZY The experience of LGBTI people from faith backgrounds Presented at The National LGBTI Health in Difference Conference 11-13 April 2018, Sydney, Australia Summary: Over the last 18 years, Anthony Venn-Brown has been collating the stories of LGBTI people from Christian backgrounds. The sources have been 400 [...]
In 2006, after receiving over 2,000 emails from readers of A Life of Unlearning a pattern became clear of the impacts faith/sexuality conflict was having on LGBT people from Christian backgrounds. BACKGROUND OBSERVATIONS: LGBT people from faith and religious backgrounds experience the usual issues of resolution, coming out, finding their place in the community and [...]
Survivor Tips (from a survivor) It has just been announced that Australia's marriage equality postal survey is going ahead. For many LGBTI Australians, tolerance has been the least they have experienced. Most though, have acceptance with their family, friends as well as workplace settings. Australia’s corporates and multi-nationals actually champion and celebrate diversity. Homophobia is [...]
Calling all counsellors (youth, telephone, school) and social/health-care/youth/community/LGBTI workers, pastors, church leaders, chaplains and mental health professionals.....and those interested in the intersection of faith and sexuality. #WalkingBetweenWorlds is a specifically designed training program. In one day you can get an insider and in-depth view into the complexities, conflicts and challenges for LGBTI (lesbian, gay, bisexual, [...]
Gay Partner and Straight Partner Two Separate Journeys by Anthony Venn-Brown Introduction A mixed orientation marriage (MOM) is where one partner is heterosexual and the other is same-sex-oriented (gay or lesbian) or bi-sexual. The situation we find ourselves in is not usually one of intentional deception. (In some cultures, families and geographical areas, this may [...]