BRAVE NETWORK

FAITH AND LGBTIQ INCLUSION

WHAT IS BRAVE

Brave Network is a support and advocacy group for LGBTIQ people of faith and allies. Brave hosts monthly meetings in central Melbourne and supports LGBTIQ people of faith to tell their stories in media, churches and public events.

The primary focus of Brave Network is ensuring the wellbeing of LGBTIQ people of faith, regardless of their faith journey. Brave Network is fully of LGBTIQ inclusive theology and is both sex positive and faith positive.

To provide respect and safety to members, the attendance of individuals and the personal stories shared in Brave meetings are confidential.

Membership is informal and free, however guests at monthly meetings are asked to make a small contribution to support venue hire.

Brave is a non-incorporated entity led by a steering group that is auspiced by (Formerly VAC), a leading Victorian public health organisation. The group commenced in 2015 and has grown through referrals, word of mouth, and advocacy.

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GO HERE

To learn about Brave, connect with us and learn about monthly Melbourne meetings, find out Who We Are

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EXPERIENCES AND STORIES

To learn more about the experiences of LGBTIQ people of faith in Australia, visit the Inside Ex-gay website

Inside Ex-Gay

JUMP IN TO LEARN

01.

ETHICAL ENGAGEMENT

To read statements about how to ethically engage with survivors of ex-gay/conversion therapy click here

02.

BEYOND BLUE FACTSHEET

To read the Beyond Blue and Brave Network fact sheet for counsellors

03.

VIC GOVERNMENT INQUIRY

To learn more about the Victorian Government Inquiry into the conversion therapy movement, visit the resources page

RESOURCES

Equal, Affirmed, Included

Download our latest guide for LGBTIQA+ Christians looking to connect with the queer Christian community.

Note: It prints as a 2-sided A3 and folds into a 4 page A4 guide.

SOGICE Survivor Statement

Visit the SOGICE Survivors website by clicking on the logo to the right or download the SOGICE Survivor Statement here.

THE VALUE OF STORIES

Hearing or reading a story like yours lets you know you are not alone. This is particularly important for LGBTIQ people in religious environments where the prevailing message is one of brokenness and condemnation. A single story from an LGBTIQ peer can provide hope that ‘It Gets Better’.

It is for these reasons that Brave prizes the stories of LGBTIQ people and wants to see these stories told Ethically and Responsibly by third parties.

WHO WE WORK WITH

The mission of Brave is far to important to be accomplished on our own, which is why we love to partner with a wide range of other Organizations and Individuals.

Those shown are just a few of those.

THORNE HARBOUR HEALTH

We are proud to continue to partner with Thorne Harbour Health (Previously Victorian Aids Council)

NICOLE CONNOR

One of our favourite story-tellers

“I have devoted my life to stories – as a writer and public speaker I believe stories can change the world.”

KATHY BALDOCK

Kathy is the author of Walking the Bridgeless Canyon and the founder of Canyonwalker Connections. Kathy is an enthusiastic partner of Brave and a globally respected expert in the history of the ex-gay/conversion therapy movement.

THE REFORMATION PROJECT

At Brave we love our continued Relationship with the Reformation Project.

Our Missions beautifully align to bring about change in the wider Church Community towards LGBTIQ Acceptance and Affirmation

EQUAL VOICES

Equal Voices is a national organisation working for the full inclusion of LGBTIQ people in Australian churches. Equal Voices is a proud partner of Brave Network.

“We are a movement of straight and LGBTIQ+ Christians who mourn the silencing and rejection of Christians who are LGBTIQ+ by our churches. We are committed to the cultivation of church cultures in which LGBTIQ+ people are welcomed and accepted on the same basis as anyone whose sexuality is ‘straight’.”