“A Life of Unlearning: A Preacher’s Struggle with his Homosexuality, Church, and Faith”
Anthony Venn-Brown
Personal Success Australia, 2015 276 Pages

At A Glance: “A Life of Unlearning” recounts the author’s challenging journey from being a high-profile Pentecostal preacher and a married father to coming out as gay, a transformative path marked by struggle, authenticity, and the pursuit of personal integrity.

Overview: “A Life of Unlearning” by Anthony Venn-Brown chronicles his journey as a popular Pentecostal preacher and married father in Australia, who, despite external appearances, struggled privately with his homosexuality. Battling the belief that his sexual orientation made him unacceptable to God, Venn-Brown endured years of inner turmoil, gay conversion therapy, and a facade of heteronormativity.

His life took a pivotal turn when a chance encounter led him to choose authenticity over continued concealment, resulting in his confession and coming out. This decision, though it led to abandonment by his church and friends, embarked him on a path of ‘unlearning,’ embracing his true self and facing loneliness along the way.

The memoir is a candid reflection on the high costs and rewarding liberation of living authentically, offering insights not only for those grappling with issues of sexuality and faith but for anyone seeking to embrace their true identity.

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