This presentation is the foundation of Ambassadors & Bridge Builders International's philosophy and approach. It has been the vehicle whereby a safe place has been created for churches, religious organisations and leaders to engage and learn more about LGBT people and their community Slide 2: Traditionally this is the way the church has interacted with the LGBT community Slide 3: The same can be said about the way the LGBT community has interacted with the church. Each has seen each other as the enemy etc Slide 4: There is an invitation, for those who are willing, from either side to let go the adversarial positions and move into a new space of dialogue. Slide 5: In this new space a new set of guidelines of communication are embraced such • A willingness to dialogue • Treat each other respectfully • Always act with integrity • See each other as fellow human beings on a journey of discovery • Within this space we will find levels of resolution instead of conflict Slide 6: Gay and lesbian people go through several stages and a process in order to resolve the perceived conflict between their faith and sexuality. Straight individuals , churches and denominations also move through similar stages and process to come to a place of greater understanding about sexuality and gender identity.: Slide 7: People move from left to right along the continuum. This process may happen over sometime. Events such as a suicide or a close friend or child coming out can accelerate the process. Slide 8: People have an attitudinal shift and move along the continuum as they become more informed and aware. This learning can happen formally through education, self-learning or experientially. It’s highly unlikely that this change will occur unless there is some personal connection with LGBT people. For more information about this presentation feel free to contact us.

1. CREATING A SPACE
FOR CHANGE
Love – Acceptance - Equality
Anthony Venn-Brown
Ambassadors & Bridge Builders
International
www.abbi.org.au
© Anthony Venn-Brown

2. © Anthony Venn-Brown
www.anthonyvennbrown.com
The
LGBT
World
The
Christian
World
•The Enemy
•Judgment & stereotyping
•Accusations
•Feed on misinformation
•Demonising & sensationalising
•Conspiracy theories
•One-way communication
•Conflict & attack

3. © Anthony Venn-Brown
www.anthonyvennbrown.com
The
LGBT
World
The
Christian
World
•The Enemy
•Judgment & stereotyping
•Accusations
•Feed on misinformation
•Demonising & sensationalising
•Conspiracy theories
•One-way communication
•Conflict & attack

4. © Anthony Venn-Brown
www.anthonyvennbrown.com
The
LGBT
World
The
Christian
World
•The Enemy
•Judgment & stereotyping
•Accusations
•Feed on misinformation
•Demonising & sensationalising
•Conspiracy theories
•One-way communication
•Conflict & attack
A New Space

5. © Anthony Venn-Brown
www.anthonyvennbrown.com
The
LGBT
World
The
Christian
World
•The Enemy
•Judgment & stereotyping
•Accusations
•Feed on misinformation
•Demonising & sensationalizing
•Conspiracy theories
•One-way communication
•Conflict & attack
•Willingness to dialogue
•Treat respectfully
•Act with integrity
•Fellow human beings on a
journey of discovery
•Resolution

6. Gay and lesbian people go through
several stages and a process in
order to resolve the perceived
conflict between their faith and
sexuality.
Straight individuals , churches and
denominations also move through
similar stages and process to come
to a place of greater understanding
about sexuality and gender identity.
© Anthony Venn-Brown

7. © Anthony Venn-Brown
The Diversity Acceptance Continuum
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8. People have an attitudinal shift and
move along the continuum as they
become more informed and aware
This learning can happen formally
through education, self-learning or
experientially
It’s highly unlikely that this change
will occur unless there is some
personal connection with LGBT
people
© Anthony Venn-Brown

9. © Anthony Venn-Brown
Ambassadors & Bridge Builders International's
(ABBI) mission is to create understanding and
acceptance for LGBTI (lesbian, gay, bisexual.
transgender, intersex) people, empower
community members and build bridges with
churches, religious organisations and leaders.
Further information: www.abbi.org.au
Contact: info@abbi.org.au
This concept and presentation created by
Anthony Venn-Brown, founder/CEO of ABBI
and author of ‘A Life of Unlearning’