Freedom 2 b[e] Celebrates Ex-gay Survivors

People who are same-sex-orientated often feel societal and family pressures to reject or deny their true feelings. This pressure to conform and live as heterosexuals is much more intense for those who come from faith backgrounds and Christian churches, as the belief system says that acceptance or rejection of their sexuality has eternal consequences.

Struggling to change can be private and internal, through one on one personal counselling or support groups. Some of us have even gone to the extremes of exorcisms, ‘ex-gay’ programs or marrying, believing this will solve our ‘problem’.

The journey to find resolution and self–acceptance for gay men and lesbians from Christian backgrounds can be difficult and even traumatic. Ex-gay Survivors are people, from religious backgrounds, who once believed their same sex orientation was evil or a dysfunction and attempted becoming heterosexual through re-orientation/conversion therapies. Ex-gay survivors now live as openly proud gay men and lesbians.

This year in Sydney's Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras, Freedom 2 b[e] we celebrated the journey survivors have travelled to rid themselves of damaging and outdated beliefs Beliefs that said homosexuality was a sin, sickness or the result of a dysfunctional family upbringing.

Our message is a positive one; celebrating our resolution and self-acceptance. We are no longer victims of our own or others ignorance. By marching together we also sent a positive message to people in churches who are still locked in a prison of self-hatred.

Accepting our sexuality, coming out in a supportive environment and embracing being gay or lesbian, sets us free. Free to be who we were meant to be.

Read participants stories here http://www.freedom2b.org/topic/722