Rainbow Report: God & Gays
LISTEN TO PODCAST NOW
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 46:15 — 42.3MB)
My studio guests and I look at the painful and difficult issues that arise when, as a headline in The Age put it recently, “faith and sexuality collide.”
A collision that, as you will hear, may have tragic consequences, as it did recently for one gay man, Damien Christie. So a warning, some of you may find parts of tonight’s show distressing. But I believe it’s essential these issues are addressed.
With me in the studio, Matt Glover, a former Baptist minister who was removed from his parish over his support for equal marriage, and who now works as a counsellor helping people who are struggling to reconcile their faith and their sexuality. He was also a friend of Damien Christie.
(For more on reconciling Christianity and sexuality, check out Freedom2B, which assists LGBTI people from Christian backgrounds on their journey to reconciling their faith, sexuality and gender identity.)
Of course, there are counsellors and counsellors: it’s a largely unregulated industry and pretty well anyone can hang out a shingle and tout for business. Also in the studio, Michael Lallo, journalist at the Age, who has investigated and written about ‘reparative therapy’ counsellors: the ones who claim that with faith and prayer you can change your sexual orientation.
Our final guest is Cath Bowtell, Labour candidate for the seat of Melbourne: she is keen to see this unregulated sector brought under control.
For some people, this can be a distressing and painful subject: if you need help or just someone to talk to, there’s plenty available.
For help and support if you are in distress:
24 hr Lifeline – 13 11 14
Suicide Call Back Service – 1300 659 467
Kids Helpline – 1800 55 1800
MensLine Australia – 1300 78 99 78
For help with depression, anxiety and other mental health issues generally:
SANE Australia helpline – 1800 18 SANE (7263) or www.sane.org
beyondblue: the national depression initiative – 1300 22 4636 (1300 bb info) or www.beyondblue.org.au
Black Dog Institute – www.blackdoginstitute.com.au
Help for young people:
headspace – www.headspace.org.au
Reach Out! – www.reachout.com
Youthbeyondblue (for depression and anxiety and how to help a friend) www.youthbeyondblue.com – 1300 22 4636
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 46:15 — 42.3MB)
RECENT PODCAST
RAINBOW REPORT FAREWELL EDITION
[caption id="attachment_995" align="alignleft" width="300"] "Departure", by Klearchos Kapoutsis[/caption] Welcome to the very last Rainbow Report. Don’t worry, this is not going ...
LISTEN TO PODCAST NOW
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 48:35 — 44.5MB)
Rainbow Report: Beginnings and Endings
[caption id="attachment_989" align="alignleft" width="300"] Shelley Argent at Mardi Gras 2012: pic by Eva Rinaldi Photography[/caption] This will be the penultimate Rainbow ...
LISTEN TO PODCAST NOW
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 47:46 — 43.7MB)
Rainbow Report Looking to the Future
[caption id="attachment_980" align="alignleft" width="300"] pic by nerdcoregirl[/caption] Well now that we’ve all picked ourselves up off the canvas it’s time to ...
LISTEN TO PODCAST NOW
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 46:00 — 42.1MB)