On last night’s episode of The Informer, we discussed Ambassadors and Bridge Builders International report looking at Gay Conversion Therapy in Australia, with ABBI founder Anthony Venn-Brown.

ABBI serves individuals, churches, denominations, leaders and religious organizations in a respectful and non-confrontational way along their journey to understand LGBTI people, their community, and relationships.

We often make assumptions about Conversion Therapy based on media from the UK and USA, which has led to miscommunications with what it means here in Australia.

The ABBI report on ‘Conversion Therapy in Australia’ is a detailed look at our past, with sobering data about our present that can help us to make real change about the future of Conversion Therapy in Australia.

Now we continue The Informer’s Dean Arcuri’s conversation with Ambassadors and Bridge Builders International founder Anthony Venn-Brown. Exploring why this is an issue so important to Venn-Brown, with some harsh realities of religious conversion therapy in Australia, and how ABBI are trying to achieve change for the better.

You can find a copy of the report on at abbi.org.au

If this story has raised any personal concerns, or you yourself have been struggling with thoughts of self-harm or feel you are in crisis, you can contact LifeLine on 13 11 14 or online at Lifeline.org.au.

For general support and questions or concerns on LGBTQI issues you can contact the team at QLife on 1800 184 527 or for web counselling at Qlife.org.au.

Or you can contact beyondblue on 1300 22 46 36 or at beyondblue.org.au.

They’re all there to help. And remember, if it’s an emergency or you are in immediate risk of harm, always contact triple zero.

This episode of The Informer aired on JOY 94.9 on 29th May.