Evening meeting University of Hong Kong chapel It's hard to believe that it is over a month now since I was in Hong Kong Have you had the feeling that you were really meant to do something? That's the feeling I got when I first heard about the Amplify Asia 2012 Conference. The amazing time in [...]
This blog post about ex-gay ministry is an extended version of the article in the Gay News Network Ex-gay Away Exodus International, the make a wish foundation for self-loathing homosexuals, is in crisis. It began with Alan Chambers, director of 'ex-gay' ministries umbrella organisation Exodus, honest admission to a gay Christian conference in January that [...]
Amplify 2012 Conference Hong Kong 24-26 June Asian Christianity has it's unique challenges for LGBT people. Many LGBT people have not only cultural and family pressures but religion can compound the issues. I am thrilled that I have been invited to speak at the Amplify 2012 Conference and will be the only representative from Australia. [...]
After the recent mainstream media reports on ex-gay ministries in Australia and also the impact of The Cure documentary, I felt it was time to reach out once again to a person from ex-gay camp suggesting that we might meet up and engage in dialogue. My email was passed on to the Director of the ministry. Below is [...]
Recent research demonstrates something I have been pointing out for some time now. That is, that LGBT people of faith and religion experience the usual issues of resolving their sexuality or gender identity, coming out, finding their place in the community and learning what it means to live authentically in a predominately straight world. They often however, experience [...]
Two documentaries in the coming Mardi Gras Film Festival you might like to see. 1. The Bedroom Commandments http://mgff.queerscreen.com.au/bedroom-commandments/Sunday Feb 19, Cinema Paris, 2:30pm Malcolm Burt interviews a variety of people across a range of ages, backgrounds and faiths. He interviews the non religious and ex religious as well as those currently involved in [...]
SYDNEY, Australia, Jan 20. Time, reality and commonsense continues to erode the credibility of long-held beliefs within some religious organisations that they possess a kind of sexual orientation magic wand, according to respected LGBT affairs commentator, Anthony Venn-Brown. So convinced are they with the outcomes of their smoke and mirrors routine that a new category of [...]
8/10/11 The introduction of a bill in Queensland parliament to allow gay civil unions has brought to light some deep seated anti-gay views and the belief that homosexuals can change, still existing in the minds of some Australian politicians. It has been revealed that Queensland MP Fiona Simpson, made statements in 2002 that she knows ‘former’ homosexuals [...]
A recent study “A longitudinal study of attempted religiously-mediated sexual orientation change.” published in The Journal of Sex and Marital Therapy has been hailed by conservative US Christians in publications and websites as a breakthrough. A Christian political group in Australia, the Salt Shakers, was quick to follow, announcing ‘Homosexuals Can Change’. But the study is misleading and this kind [...]