PowerPoint Notes

Slide 1:

I have had the privilege of being a gay ambassador (representative for my community) mostly within the Christian World and with church leaders since 2004.

This slide presentation refers to the model I work with which has broken down barriers of misconceptions, preconceived ideas and ignorance about same sex orientation.

I present this in the hope that others will see how they also might be involved and creating a space for change. If you have any particular questions to ask or projects that fit within this model feel free to email me at info@anthonyvennbrown.com

Thanks.......Anthony Venn-Brown

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Slide 2:

These two worlds rarely meet. We are all very familiar with the differences and divide between these two worlds. In fact the only thing we have often seen between this great chasm is conflict.

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Slide 3:

The Christian world traditionally has viewed the GLBT world as:

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Slide 4:

• The enemy – Opposed to family values - The GLBT community is a threat.
• The Christian world has been extremely Judgemental of the GLBT community and their belief is that Homosexuality = immorality/promiscuity.
• The Christian world makes Accusations about the GLBT community

a) Sept 11 Jerry Falwell said on The 700 Club, "I really believe that the pagans, and the abortionists, and the feminists, and the gays and the lesbians who are actively trying to make that an alternative lifestyle, all of them who have tried to secularize America. I point the finger in their face and say 'you helped this happen.'

b) In the wake of Hurricane Katrina, some religious conservatives announced that the storm was sent by God as an omen or as a punishment for America's alleged sins, particularly as some Gay Parties have been held in New Orleans. Media Matters for America has documented such statements from three religious conservative media figures: Pat Robertson, Hal Lindsey, and Charles Colson.

• The Christian world feeds on misinformation about the GLBT community. Figures quoted in many books about gay men’s activities go back to the 1950’s and before the AIDS epidemic. Paul Cameron’s work is often quoted on gay men’s sexual habits, life spans, links with paedophilia, crime, murder and STD’s. Even though his work has been discredited it is frequently quoted in Christian books and on right wing conservative websites that keep the myth alive.
• Stereotyping – terms like ‘the gay lifestyle’ & ‘the homosexual lifestyle’ reflect an ignorance of the huge diversity in the GLBT community and the normal/ordinary lives many of us live. Other stereotyping includes: All lesbians are man hating feminists, All gay men are fairies, all lesbians are butch tomboys.
• The Christian world has often Demonised the GLBT community as evil, perverted, sick.
• Conspiracy theories about the GLBT community abound in the Christian World and literature. We often hear terms like “The Gay Agenda”, “The Homosexual Agenda”. Apparently this is some secret plot by the GLBT community to undermine fabric of society, destroy marriage, convert children, recruit young people through the education system.In 2005 James Dobson, director of Focus on the Family, described the homosexual agenda as follows: “Those goals include universal acceptance of the gay lifestyle, discrediting of scriptures that condemn homosexuality, muzzling of the clergy and Christian media, granting of special privileges and rights in the law, overturning laws prohibiting paedophilia, indoctrinating children and future generations through public education, and securing all the legal benefits of marriage for any two or more people who claim to have homosexual tendencies.”
• The Christian Church usually only has One way communication – with the GLBT community by preaching, media comment. When did anyone really sit down and listen?
• The end result…….. Conflict.

Before you move on to the next slide look at this again and see if you can make any further observations beyond what I've pointed out.

Slide 5:

What you have probably observed is that basically everything that happens from the Christian World to the GLBT World happens the opposite direction as well. Those of us who have lived in both worlds especially know this to be true.

It is very much like I mention in my book 'A Life of Unlearning - a journey to find the truth' , it's like a boxing match, the only time anyone comes out of their corner is when the bell rings and then it is only ever to fight.

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Slide 6:

What I am proposing is that we create a new space and invite individuals, groups, even denomination from the Christian World and join others from the GLBT World. All those who come into the space recognise that the previous methods have never really produced positive results. In fact it has created an entrenched siege mentality.

For anyone who wants to come into that space they must be willing to let go of the behaviours and attitudes listed above.

It's a space of dialogue. No accusations, blaming, demonising, stereotyping etc.

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Slide 7:

In this new space we view each other, not as the enemy, but as:

• Fellow human beings on a journey of learning. Every human being can teach us something
• We agree that we will always treat each other respectfully. Treat others as you would like to be treated yourself
• We will endeavour to always act with Integrity. Allowing each person to live in harmony with their personal values and always be willing to be open and honest with each other
• Be willing to engage in Dialogue. This often involves spending time developing a relationship of trust.
• The end result will be Resolution
• It's vital that we come into this space without agendas to convert. I've learned the hard way that when I entered into dialogue with someone and had a strong agenda then it brought the wrong energy into the communication. When I sensed the other person had a strong agenda it tended to make me defensive. The end result seem to move back into the other space of conflict.

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Slide 8:

...and by living in this new space all those other things disappear....which means it will be ....

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Slide 9:

A Better World for All

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Slide 10:

For people to come to a place of acceptance they will always go through stages change. This model shows us the stages people transition through to come to acceptance whether it be of individuals or homosexuality itself.

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Slide 11:

Not everyone starts here. Every time we see a new survey come out on acceptance of homosexuality and equal rights the percentage of this group decreases.

As research has shown, those who have an intense hatred of homosexuals often have deep unresolved issues. Some are unnaturally obsessive about the issue. It's not a healthy place to be.

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Slide 12:

Some have moved from the intense hatred to dislike. Others commence here.

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Slide 13:

Feeling uncomfortable about homosexuality or around homosexual people is the next step. For people in this stage of the continuum its an uncomfortable topic to talk about.

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Slide 14:

From the uncomfortable feeling people can come to a place where they become more tolerant of diversity.

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Slide 15:

We could say that people not only tolerate but come to accept the fact that not all people are opposite sex oriented. This makes our relationships with those who aren't more open and enjoyable.

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Slide 16:

No really wants to just be tolerated and it is wonderful to finally be accepted for who you are but it is even better when someone really affirms you. Celebrating the diversity and differences.

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Slide 17:

Some heterosexuals have even moved beyond acceptance and affirmation and will become advocates for GLBT people. This may happen in the community, politically or just by correcting fellow workers when they make derogatory remarks about gays and lesbians.

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Slide 18:

People have an attitudinal shift and move along the continuum as they become more informed and aware

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Slide 19:

This learning can happen formally through education, self-learning or experientially

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Slide 20:

It’s highly unlikely that this change will occur unless there is some personal connection with GLBT people.

Will you be one of those people who helps break down the walls by engaging others and creating a dialogue?

These are brief notes of the presentation. When presenting the concept to churches, leaders and pastors I am able to explore this in more depth.