Becoming an Affirming Church with Ps. Marcy Paynter & Ps. Beth Bolmers
In this episode of the Queerfully Made Podcast, hosts Aaron Kelly and Ben Nicholson sit down with Ps. Marcy Paynter, Senior Pastor, and Ps. Beth Bolmers, Pastoral Staff, from Gateway Church in Melbourne. This powerful conversation dives into Gateway’s transformative journey to becoming an affirming church, embracing LGBTQ+ inclusion with open hearts.Ps. Marcy shares her personal story, which began long before the church’s shift. She opens up about what sparked her commitment to inclusion, the challenges of leading a congregation through change, and her vision for a future where faith communities fully affirm LGBTQ+ individuals. Ps. Beth offers her perspective as a staff member who’s been part of the journey from the start, reflecting on how the shift reshaped the church’s culture, brought both growth and loss, and deepened their mission of love.Together, they explore what it truly means to be an affirming church. Moving beyond tolerance to active celebration of diverse identities. They candidly discuss the losses Gateway faced, including members who left, and the profound gains in community, authenticity, and impact.For more information on Gateway Church, head to their website: https://www.gateway.asn.au/ What does an affirming church mean to you? Share in the comments! 🫶#queerfullymade #lgbtq #lgbtqchristian #lesbian #gay #bi #trans #queer #christian #lgbtqinclusion #church #faithandsexuality #affirmingchurch #gatewaychurch #marcypaynter #bethbolmers #lgbtqfaith #authenticity #podcast #inclusivefaith
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A Life of Legacy with Anthony Venn Brown OAM - Part B
Continue the powerful conversation in Part B of our two-part interview on Queerfully Made Podcast, with hosts Aaron Kelly and Ben Nicholson and our first featured guest, Anthony Venn-Brown OAM. Building on Part A's exploration of his personal journey, Anthony reflects on the legacy he's crafted since coming out. Originally founding Freedom2b, a vital support network for LGBTQ+ people of faith, and since founding and leading Ambassadors & Bridge Builders International (ABBI), both resourcing LGBTQ+ people of faith and educating faith leaders on inclusion.He discusses his bestselling book, A Life of Unlearning (now in its third edition), which has touched thousands globally, and his key role in banning conversion therapy state by state across Australia, drawing from his own ex-gay experiences. Wrapping up, Anthony shares his vision for faith communities: places that affirm LGBTQ+ Christians, prioritising love and reducing harm.If you missed Part A, catch up on Anthony's sexuality journey and "fall from grace" first. Queerfully Made delves into faith and sexuality, proving harmony is possible. With diverse guests ahead, this episode fuels hope for change.Subscribe for future episodes and stories that inspire!To purchase a copy of Anthony's book "A Life of Unlearning" - https://www.amazon.com/dp/0994152418?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_YFJMN955MTTMFVAXJ5RTTo see the work Ambassadors & Bridge Builders do and access their online resources or donate to their cause, head to: www.abbi.org.au What's your hope for LGBTQ+ Christians in faith spaces? #queerfullymade #lgbtq #lgbtqchristian #lesbian #gay #bi #trans #queer #christian #lgbtqinclusion #church #faithandsexuality #anthonyvennbrown #episodefour #conversiontherapyban #freedom2b #abbi #alifeofunlearning #lgbtqadvocate #hopeforfuture #legacybuilding
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A Life of Unlearning with Anthony Venn Brown OAM - Part A
Dive into Part A of this two-part interview of Queerfully Made Podcast, where hosts Aaron Kelly and Ben Nicholson chat with trailblazing advocate Anthony Venn-Brown OAM. Honoured with the Order of Australia Medal for his LGBTIQA+ service, Anthony shares his early sexuality journey, from discovering his homosexuality in an Anglican upbringing to rising as a prominent preacher in Australia's Pentecostal movement, including mega-churches like Hillsong.He recounts the internal conflict of leading while hiding his truth, culminating in his "fall from grace", the painful moment he came out and faced rejection from the church world he knew. Anthony opens up about entering the gay community, finding belonging after years of suppression, and the emotional liberation that followed. Aaron and Ben guide the conversation with empathy, unpacking the fear, isolation, and courage involved.This is just the start. Tune into Part B for Anthony's legacy-building work and hopes for the future. Subscribe for Part B.To purchase a copy of Anthony's book "A Life of Unlearning" - https://www.amazon.com/dp/0994152418?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_YFJMN955MTTMFVAXJ5RTTo see the work Ambassadors & Bridge Builders do and access their online resources or donate to their cause, head to: www.abbi.org.au #queerfullymade #lgbtq #lgbtqchristian #lesbian #gay #bi #trans #queer #christian #lgbtqinclusion #church #faithandsexuality #anthonyvennbrown #podcast #sexualityjourney #pentecostal #fallfromgrace #gaycommunity #lgbtqadvocate #faithjourney
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Coming Out
In this episode, Aaron Kelly and Ben Nicholson dive into the raw, emotional journey of coming out as LGBTQ+ while rooted in faith communities. Trigger warning: This episode includes discussions of suicide, reflecting Aaron’s struggles.Aaron opens up about the intense challenges of coming out as a gay man in evangelical Christianity, including dark moments where he contemplated suicide. Ben shares his path, navigating the phase of coming out and finding safe people. Together, they offer wisdom on preparing to come out, finding affirming allies, and managing community rejection. Their honest, heartfelt chat, sprinkled with humour, lights a path to authenticity for anyone feeling torn between faith and identity.If you or someone you know is contemplating suicide, help is available. Contact Lifeline Australia, 24 hours a day. Call 13 11 14 or text 0477 13 11 14.
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Ben's "Testimony"
In Episode 2 of Queerfully Made Podcast, cheekily titled "Ben's Testimony" as a wink to church-style stories of overcoming, but this one's all about a different kind of freedom. Co-host Ben Nicholson opens up to Aaron Kelly about his hidden journey as a gay man in evangelical Christianity, where purity rules left no room for LGBTQ+ intimacy.Ben shares the exhausting double life: sneaking moments of connection in secret, always under the radar, because anything else felt forbidden. It's a raw look at the isolation and stress of suppressing desires while clinging to faith. Things turn dark as Ben recounts rock-bottom moments, including time in prison, and the long road to rebuilding. Freedom came post-release, culminating in his authentic coming out during COVID, a time of global isolation that ironically set him free from religious restraints.This episode is a testament to resilience, showing how faith and identity don't have to clash. If you've hidden parts of yourself or wondered if there's a way forward, Ben's story offers hope and honesty.In these early episodes, we're unpacking our hosts' journeys before welcoming guests from across the faith-sexuality spectrum. Queerfully Made proves both can thrive together. Subscribe for more, and catch Episode 3 soon!What part of Ben's story hit home? Comment below!
Queerfully Made tackles faith, gender, sexuality, and the intersection of them all. Ex-evangelical leaders Aaron Kelly and Ben Nicholson, once church insiders, host raw stories from LGBTQ+ Christians, ex-Christians, pastors, ex-pastors and sharp experts.
Closeted and scared? Healing from church wounds? An ally ready to stand up but needing insight? We’re here to unpack identity, reforge spirituality, and build a fierce, inclusive community.
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