Gay or straight. Do you want to see the end of all ex-gay, conversion/re-orientation style ministries and therapies in Australia? (People are damaged and waste precious years of their lives trying to turn from gay to straight.) .....then march with us.
People who are same-sex-orientated often feel societal and family pressures to resist, 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 torturous and even traumatic.
There is NO scientific evidence that people can change their sexual orientation and mental health professionals have warned of the emotional and psychological dangers of attempting.
This year, Freedom 2 b[e] (a network of people from Pentecostal, Charismatic and Evangelical backgrounds) celebrates the journey survivors have travelled to rid ourselves of damaging and outdated beliefs. Beliefs that said homosexuality was a sin, sickness or the result of a dysfunctional family upbringing. We are no longer victims of our own or others ignorance.
We invite all those who have been through any form of ‘ex-gay’ therapy or counselling to join us this year in the parade. Family members and friends are welcome to join us in support.
Marching in the Mardi Gras parade or a Pride march is often an empowering experience and an opportunity to put the shame and the ‘demons’ of the past to rest by publicly declaring that we are out, proud and love being who we are; lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender.
Our message is a positive one; celebrating our journeys to resolution and self-acceptance. By marching together we also send 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.
For more information please email survivors@freedom2b.org
General inquiries and to register your interest in marching with us please send an email to mardigras@freedom2b.org
To register your interest go to http://f2bmg2010.eventbrite.com/
Please note: In order to meet the requirements of the Mardi Gras organisation so the logistics of the 8,000 strong parade can be finalised......and in order for Freedom 2 b[e] to organise t-shirts and other articles for every participant, all registrations must be in by Friday 12 February 2010. DON'T PUT IT OFF OR YOU'LL MISS OUT. Thanks for your help.
Unsure about the importance of participating in the parade? These articles may be helpful.
http://alifeofunlearning.blogspot.com/2009/01/mardi-gras-and-pride-celeb...
http://alifeofunlearning.blogspot.com/2007/03/divine-moment-in-mardi-gra...
we are hoping that we will have a group of melbourne f2bérs come and join us again.
are you marching with F2B in Melbourne this year Ann Maree
You know I'd forgotten about it to be honest but I would like to go. Couldn't go last year due to work commitments. I'm on call at a second job so may be called to that but otherwise I will go and participate.
are you on the Melbourne F2B mailing list?
If not send an email to melbf2b@gmail.com requesting to be on the list then you'll know about all our events in Melbourne....and my visits.....you wouldn't want to miss that now would you. 
Hi avb
Yes, thanks I am on the list. And noooooo, I wouldn't want to miss your visit. hehe
Cant wait for the parade this year. Big things are happening and we have some good ideas to bring messages of hope to the people who are struggling to reconcile their sexuality.
I am so excited to march this year again in the Sydney mardi gras. I marched for the first time last year and it was an amazing experience full of hope, joy and resolution.
I am an ex-gay survivor and I am marching with freedom 2 b[e] to celebrate that I am unconditionally loved, happy, whole, loving God and loving life. I am a strong gay Christian man with much to offer to this world and to my church.
So looking forward to it!!
yep.....had a great meeting last night......the theme....... Freedom 2 b[e] Celebrates Ex-gay Survivors
as we shared around the room every single one of us had been through a structured ex-gay progam
here is a video Ben put together of our entry last year.....hope you enjoy and catch the spirit of what happened.
Hi avb
Well done to you, Ben and all the others who put that together. It really did remind me of the joy and love I felt at the Melbourne event. Very powerful! Thank you so much. Seeing that has lifted my spirits and I trust it will have the same effect for others too.
Blessings,
Ann Maree
I'll be definately marching in the Mardi Gras again this year 
it was great last year wasn't it Mobileguy.....your first time I believe.
can someone please find the post of the stories from last years partcipants and place the link here.
thanks.
can someone please find the post of the stories from last years partcipants and place the link here.
Here's the link - http://www.freedom2b.org/topic/265
thanks moblieguy.....love your work.
I have a feeling we will have a lot more people marching this year then last year!
well if the early 20 or so registrations are any indicator......we have never had so many people book in so early before. Cut off date is Friday 12 Feb
Please note: In order to meet the requirements of the Mardi Gras organisation so the logistics of the 8,000 strong parade can be finalised……and in order for Freedom 2 b[e] to organise t-shirts and other articles for every participant, all registrations must be in by Friday 12 February 2010. DON’T PUT IT OFF OR YOU’LL MISS OUT. Thanks for your help.
you snooze you lose
well i am coming this year
woo hoo
my first time
wow....that is great.....you certainly wont be alone........every year we seem to get more and more who march for the first time.
its such an empowering experience.
Parade is 27th February, right?
yep......our registrations close on Friday 12th though.
Do you think you'll be joining us this year.
Parade is 27th February, right?
It would be awesome if you could join us orfeo 
if people want to circulate a PDF.....you can view and save it here http://www.freedom2b.org/files/f2b_mg_banner.pdf
Gday all
Im soooo tempted t o join u guys in marching in the mardi gra.. Im planning obe there and watch. But then i thought much easier to join u guys and have peoele t o hang with lol.
I am an ex gay survivor and seriusoly am OVER the stress of trying t o change or decrease my same sex attraction.
And am eager t o march but i m scared at the same time too lol. Im debatign within myself t ogo so please pray for a decison.
If i do go i want some folk to hang with after the parade rather than wander thrugh the after party solo so please pray ,
thanks.
When is the deadline? 12th Feb?
Hi Topgun,
I was thinking the same thing last year and I decided to march for the first time. All I can say is that it was a really great experience, almost spiritual even. Mardi gras can be full-on and in your face with the sounds and colours of other floats, but when I marched last year, I personalised it and made it my parade. It was me and my partner's journey. It was exhilirating.
Hi Nick
I love what you've written here about personalising the parade and making it your own. I had the similar experience of marching one year and feeling like it was a spiritual experience. What amazed me was how strangers and onlookers from balconies and the street yelled so much encouragement to us, it was really moving and positive. I wish everyone could experience that regardless of their orientation.
Topgun, all kinds of people go to march or be onlookers. I found it helpful knowing there were many different groups that make up our community and support us rather than one stereotype. I hope you are supported to do what you feel is best for where you're at, whether going or not.
Blessings,
Ann Maree
Your feelings are very normal Topgun.......lots of people feel fear.....all sorts of things. I can still remember the first time I marched in the parade in 1994. This year is probably my 7th time.....so I'm a veteran now.....hehe.
Because the way you feel is so normal....this is what we do every year.
- Friday night we all meet together....and welcome people from overseas and interstate so they feel more comfortable the next day.
- We have to meet around 4 or 5 in the marshalling area. this gives us lots of time to chat.
- Then we are off......and the crowd roars with excitement
- The person you are at the end of the parade is different to the person you are at the beginning. Something has changed.
- After the parade we all chill out together....and debrief.....its great.....venue TBA
Can you believe the parade is less than a month away? Getting excited. Have everyone registered yet?
Hi Avb
Happy New Year!!
This sounds really good - almost wish I was in Sydney to go!
I walked in one of the Melbourne parades a few years ago and the support from the crowd was truly overwhelming and so healing. I'd recommend that for anyone who wants to do it.
Blessings,
Ann Maree