Anthony
Venn-Brown, a former married, Assemblies of God minister and now gay
community leader says that Brookman has not been completely honest to
the inquiry and that his heterosexual marriage is not an indication of a
change in his sexual orientation.
'Ron
and I were filmed for a Bible college presentation presenting both
sides of the debate on homosexuality. Ron freely admitted, more than
once, that he got sexually aroused reading my autobiography. Whenever
pressed whether he still experiences homosexual thoughts or feelings Ron
admits it still happens but he doesn't act on them. This happened when
Ron was interviewed for the recent documentary The Cure. Telling the
Senate Inquiry that he is now heterosexual and also encourages others
into heterosexual marriage is not only dishonest and misleading it is
irresponsible' said Venn-Brown.
Venn-Brown
works with gay men in heterosexual marriages and says he is very aware
of implications of taking the path Brookman is suggesting and the
disastrous results this can lead to.
'There
are often enormous religious, cultural or family pressures upon these
men to conform and they enter the marriage believing it will solve their
'problem'. But over time these types of marriages become unstainable as
the gay man feels fragmented and deep down inside knows he is living a
lie'. For many men it begins to fall about around midlife. But I
have also worked with men who are coming out in their 50's and even
60's, Venn-Brown said.
'The
devastation when reality is faced can be horrific to all concerned.
People often say to me, well at least you have your children but I
always tell them that whilst I’m grateful for the years of
married life and my lovely daughters, I also have to live with the
knowledge that I have been the source of the greatest trauma, pain and
shame in the lives of the people I cared most about'. Venn-Brown added.
Ron
Brookman may have a harmonious loving relationship with his wife and
overcome his sexual addiction but turned from gay to straight; I don’t
think so. This is nothing more than what I have termed 'situational heterosexuality'; a level of heterosexual functionality not a change in orientation. Christian groups like the
National Marriage Coalition wheeling Ron out to demonstrate
homosexuality is a choice and that anyone can change have only
undermined their own credibility, Venn-Brown concluded.
A five minute interview Ron Brookman gave after the inquiry is on the Australian Christian Lobby website.
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Labels: anthony venn brown, ex-gay, Living Waters, media release, Ron Brookman, unwanted same sex attraction