Anthony Venn-Brown - ex-gay/reparative/conversion therapies authority
Since 1998, Anthony has monitored ex-gay/reparative/conversion therapy activities in Australia and been a leader in dispelling the 'ex-gay' myth through interviews, his own writing and developing connections with 'ex-gay' survivors and former 'ex-gay' leaders.
Formerly a leader in the Assemblies of God and regular preacher in mega-churches of Australia and overseas, for 22 years Anthony tried to change his homosexuality through psychiatric treatment, exorcisms, ‘ex-gay’ programs, 40-day fasts and daily struggles with his ‘problem’. Although happily married for 16 years with two daughters, eventually he had to admit that nothing had changed. At this time, Anthony faced the toughest decision of his life; be true to himself (which would result in losing everything he held dear) or live a lie.
Anthony’s autobiography, ‘A Life of Unlearning’ was awarded the SGLBA’s ‘Book of the Year’. The revised second edition (with additional 80 pages) was released internationally in 2007. Anthony has appeared on national television shows such as ‘60 Minutes’, ‘Channel 7’s Sunrise and The Morning Show’, ‘Mornings with Kerri Anne’, ABC’s Hungry Beast and SMH’s Sexperts as well as radio and in the mainstream and gay print media. Anthony has been twice voted one of the 25 Most Influential Gay & Lesbian Australians.
Formerly a leader in the Assemblies of God and regular preacher in mega-churches of Australia and overseas, for 22 years Anthony tried to change his homosexuality through psychiatric treatment, exorcisms, ‘ex-gay’ programs, 40-day fasts and daily struggles with his ‘problem’. Although happily married for 16 years with two daughters, eventually he had to admit that nothing had changed. At this time, Anthony faced the toughest decision of his life; be true to himself (which would result in losing everything he held dear) or live a lie.
Anthony’s autobiography, ‘A Life of Unlearning’ was awarded the SGLBA’s ‘Book of the Year’. The revised second edition (with additional 80 pages) was released internationally in 2007. Anthony has appeared on national television shows such as ‘60 Minutes’, ‘Channel 7’s Sunrise and The Morning Show’, ‘Mornings with Kerri Anne’, ABC’s Hungry Beast and SMH’s Sexperts as well as radio and in the mainstream and gay print media. Anthony has been twice voted one of the 25 Most Influential Gay & Lesbian Australians.
Background:
- Monitored ex-gay/reparative/conversion therapies activities and organisations, particularly Australia and Asia, since 1998
- Over 13 years experience working with gay and lesbian people in heterosexual marriages and ex-gay/reparative/conversion therapies survivors
- Well read on the scientific research from both sides of the debate re changing sexual orientation
- Networked with groups such as Beyond Ex-gay, The Ex-gay Watch, Box Turtle Bulletin, Truth Wins Out, Soulforce and Courage
- 2013 - attended the final Exodus International conference in CA, USA at the invitation of the president Alan Chambers.
- 2013 - articles on unwanted same sex attraction show up on first page of Google
- 2012 - Researched and documented the decline of ex-gay/reparative/conversion therapies organisatonis in Australia and New Zealand
- 2011- 2012 Involved in initial stages of research for the documentary The Cure, assisting with background information and contacts for the film makers. Also appeared in the documentary.
- 2011 finalist for the ACON Community Hero Award
- 2011 Successfully campaigned for US ‘ex-gay’ Adam Hood’s meetings to be closed down
- 2010 first presentation of 'A Glimpse into Australia's Ex-gay World'
- 2010 ‘Situational Heterosexuality’ - the most misunderstood concept in the ‘ex-gay’ and Christian worlds went viral when published on the internet.
- 2010 Organised a group of Ex-gay Survivors who marched in the Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras
- 2009 Participated in the ‘Ending the Harm Caused by Reparative Therapies Conference’ – Florida USA
- 2008 Launched www.exgayaustralianewzealand.com & http://exgayaustralia.blogspot.com/
- 2008 Released 20 Questions for “Ex-gay” Ministry Leaders
- 2007 & 2009 Voted one of The 25 Most Influential Gay and Lesbian Australians
- 2007 ‘A Life of Unlearning- a journey to find the truth’ revised second edition published
- 2007 Organised and released statements and apologies from five former Australian ‘Ex-gay’ Leaders
- 2007 Attended the first ‘Ex-gay Survivors Conference’ in California USA
- 2005 Launched Freedom2b, a network LGBT People from Christian Backgrounds
- 2004 ‘A Life of Unlearning- Coming out of the church, one man’s struggle’ awarded the SGLBA Literary Award
- 2000 - 2010 Lauched and moderated Australia's only support group, Exex-gay, for survivors of ex-gay/reparative/conversion therapies which grew to over 400 members.
- 1972 Spent six months in Australia’s first residential ‘Ex-gay’ program (read entire chapter here)
Anthony shares his life with us with all the colour that a story-telling evangelist can capture. The honesty of his story is compelling . . . Anthony doesn’t claim to be ‘right’, he simply tells his story. You can’t argue with it. It is neither right nor wrong, it simply is. His story faces the hard issues, HIV/AIDS, Suicide, Sexual Assault, Relationships, Marriage, Parenting, Domestic Violence, Loneliness, Guilt, Shame, Rejection, Love and Sex. He has nothing to hide and it is refreshing.
I recommend this book as a non-threatening way to understand and process the issues of sexuality and spirituality; however, I can’t say you may not experience discomfort as the honesty in these pages invites you to be honest in your own life. Read it if you dare.
Dr Wendell Rosevear - O.A.M., M.B.,B.S., Dip. RACOG., FRACGP.
Contact:
Email: anthony@gayambassador.com
