In this episode of Queerfully Made, hosts Aaron Kelly and Ben Nicholson sit down with Sam Sellers, a queer woman from NSW and ex-Brethren Church member. Sam is the co-founder of the Religious Trauma Collective, owner of Anchored Counselling Services, and host of the Beyond the Surface podcast. This powerful conversation dives into the raw reality of religious trauma, unpacking what it is, how it lingers beyond just “shitty experiences,” and practical ways to navigate the healing journey.
Sam shares her story of coming out as queer after falling in love with a woman, a moment that changed everything. After a life embedded in the Brethren community, she saw them as family, until they disowned her, judged her as a threat to the church, and cast her out. She opens up about the pain of that rejection and how it has fueled her work in the religious trauma space, helping others find freedom through counselling and advocacy. Aaron and Ben explore with Sam why religious trauma hits so hard, how it shapes identity, and what steps can lead to recovery.
Queerfully Made continues to amplify voices at the faith-LGBTQIA+ intersection, showing that progress is possible.
Trigger Warning: This episode discusses religious trauma and rejection, which may be heavy for some listeners. If you’re struggling, contact Lifeline Australia, 24/7, at 13 11 14 or text 0477 13 11 14.
What’s your experience with religious trauma? Share in the comments!
#queerfullymade #lgbtq #lgbtqchristian #lesbian #gay #bi #trans #queer #christian #lgbtqinclusion #church #faithandsexuality #samsellers #episodenine #religioustrauma #queerfaith #healingjourney #podcastlaunch #beyondthesurface #anchoredcounselling #lgbtqsupport
In this episode of Queerfully Made Podcast, hosts Aaron Kelly and Ben Nicholson chat with performer and aspiring comedian Melody Rachel just days before her Melbourne Fringe Festival show, "I'm Gay But I Know Jesus".
A trailblazing voice in queer theatre, Melody creates semi-autobiographical works exploring identity, anxiety, and human connection, drawing from her Christian upbringing, coming out as a lesbian at 15, losing faith and finding it again after hitting rock bottom.
Melody shares her journey of unlearning shame the morning after sleeping with a woman and still feeling like she knew God. Her journey has led her to redefine what "sin" truly means to her, and to pursue a life of inside-out transformation.
Raised in Christian traditions, she attended Hillsong regularly but now feels closer to Jesus than ever, without church walls or rigid rules. Faith, for her, is about love and grace, not judgment, and she navigates tensions in both queer and Christian spaces with fierce honesty.
What's your take on Melody's definition of "sin"? Share below! 🫶
#queerfullymade #lgbtq #lgbtqchristian #lesbian #gay #bi #trans #queer #christian #lgbtqinclusion #church #faithandsexuality #melodyrachel #episodeeight #imgaybutiknowjesus #melbournefringe #lgbtqfaith #authenticity #podcastlaunch #queerjoy #unlearningshame
Get ready for a raw and real Q&A in this episode of Queerfully Made Podcast, titled "You Asked For It"! Hosts Aaron Kelly and Ben Nicholson dive into your questions, sent in by our amazing followers. From navigating the tricky intersection of faith and sexuality to sharing deeply personal moments, Aaron and Ben open up about their journeys as queer Christians with honesty, humour, and heart.
This episode goes deeper into their lived experiences. Coming out, facing rejection, and finding affirming spaces, while offering practical tips for those wrestling with similar challenges. Expect candid stories, a few laughs, and wisdom that hits home.
What question would you ask Aaron and Ben? Drop it in the comments!
#queerfullymade #lgbtq #lgbtqchristian #lesbian #gay #bi #trans #queer #christian #lgbtqinclusion #faith #church #faithandsexuality #youaskedforit #qanda #lgbtqfaith #authenticity #podcast #queerchristian #communityvoices
In this Episode of Queerfully Made Podcast, hosts Aaron Kelly and Ben Nicholson welcome Max Drag Queen, widely remarked as one of the most electrifying performers in the Australian Drag circuit and competed in Drag Race Down Under Season 4. On their season, Max briefly shared their faith, sparking backlash from parts of the queer community who questioned why an LGBTQ+ person would embrace Christianity. This episode dives deeper, offering a heartfelt exploration of Max’s faith journey and their vision for love over division.
Max opens up about finding faith at a young age through Christian Beach Missions, attending church solo despite a non-religious family. That faith became a guiding light and source of comfort into adulthood, shaping their life beyond the drag stage. Though not a regular churchgoer, Max sees faith as more than four walls. It’s about love, hope, and connection, not rigid rules or judgment. They reflect on the hurt religious spaces and people have caused LGBTQ+ people, while not experiencing that hurt themselves. Max gives a small challenge to the queer community to embrace those who hold faith with love, not scepticism. If faith communities could view LGBTQ+ folks through a lens of love, Max believes bridges could replace barriers.
Aaron and Ben unpack Max’s story, exploring the intersection of faith, sexuality and gender and where drag intertwines and why both sides of the faith-LBGTQ+ divide need empathy.
Stream now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen. Subscribe for more stories that spark hope and understanding!
What does faith mean to you in your LGBTQ+ journey? Share in the comments! 🫶
#queerfullymade #lgbtq #lgbtqchristian #lesbian #gay #bi #trans #queer #christian #lgbtqinclusion #church #faithandsexuality #maxdragqueen #episodesix #dragracedownunder #lgbtqfaith #authenticity #podcastlaunch #faithandlove #queerchristian
In this episode of the Queerfully Made Podcast, hosts Aaron Kelly and Ben Nicholson sit down with Ps. Marcy Paynter, Senior Pastor, and Ps. Beth Bolmers, Pastoral Staff, from Gateway Church in Melbourne. This powerful conversation dives into Gateway’s transformative journey to becoming an affirming church, embracing LGBTQ+ inclusion with open hearts.Ps. Marcy shares her personal story, which began long before the church’s shift. She opens up about what sparked her commitment to inclusion, the challenges of leading a congregation through change, and her vision for a future where faith communities fully affirm LGBTQ+ individuals. Ps. Beth offers her perspective as a staff member who’s been part of the journey from the start, reflecting on how the shift reshaped the church’s culture, brought both growth and loss, and deepened their mission of love.Together, they explore what it truly means to be an affirming church. Moving beyond tolerance to active celebration of diverse identities. They candidly discuss the losses Gateway faced, including members who left, and the profound gains in community, authenticity, and impact.For more information on Gateway Church, head to their website: https://www.gateway.asn.au/ What does an affirming church mean to you? Share in the comments! 🫶#queerfullymade #lgbtq #lgbtqchristian #lesbian #gay #bi #trans #queer #christian #lgbtqinclusion #church #faithandsexuality #affirmingchurch #gatewaychurch #marcypaynter #bethbolmers #lgbtqfaith #authenticity #podcast #inclusivefaith
Continue the powerful conversation in Part B of our two-part interview on Queerfully Made Podcast, with hosts Aaron Kelly and Ben Nicholson and our first featured guest, Anthony Venn-Brown OAM. Building on Part A's exploration of his personal journey, Anthony reflects on the legacy he's crafted since coming out. Originally founding Freedom2b, a vital support network for LGBTQ+ people of faith, and since founding and leading Ambassadors & Bridge Builders International (ABBI), both resourcing LGBTQ+ people of faith and educating faith leaders on inclusion.He discusses his bestselling book, A Life of Unlearning (now in its third edition), which has touched thousands globally, and his key role in banning conversion therapy state by state across Australia, drawing from his own ex-gay experiences. Wrapping up, Anthony shares his vision for faith communities: places that affirm LGBTQ+ Christians, prioritising love and reducing harm.If you missed Part A, catch up on Anthony's sexuality journey and "fall from grace" first. Queerfully Made delves into faith and sexuality, proving harmony is possible. With diverse guests ahead, this episode fuels hope for change.Subscribe for future episodes and stories that inspire!To purchase a copy of Anthony's book "A Life of Unlearning" - https://www.amazon.com/dp/0994152418?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_YFJMN955MTTMFVAXJ5RTTo see the work Ambassadors & Bridge Builders do and access their online resources or donate to their cause, head to: www.abbi.org.au What's your hope for LGBTQ+ Christians in faith spaces? #queerfullymade #lgbtq #lgbtqchristian #lesbian #gay #bi #trans #queer #christian #lgbtqinclusion #church #faithandsexuality #anthonyvennbrown #episodefour #conversiontherapyban #freedom2b #abbi #alifeofunlearning #lgbtqadvocate #hopeforfuture #legacybuilding
Dive into Part A of this two-part interview of Queerfully Made Podcast, where hosts Aaron Kelly and Ben Nicholson chat with trailblazing advocate Anthony Venn-Brown OAM. Honoured with the Order of Australia Medal for his LGBTIQA+ service, Anthony shares his early sexuality journey, from discovering his homosexuality in an Anglican upbringing to rising as a prominent preacher in Australia's Pentecostal movement, including mega-churches like Hillsong.He recounts the internal conflict of leading while hiding his truth, culminating in his "fall from grace", the painful moment he came out and faced rejection from the church world he knew. Anthony opens up about entering the gay community, finding belonging after years of suppression, and the emotional liberation that followed. Aaron and Ben guide the conversation with empathy, unpacking the fear, isolation, and courage involved.This is just the start. Tune into Part B for Anthony's legacy-building work and hopes for the future. Subscribe for Part B.To purchase a copy of Anthony's book "A Life of Unlearning" - https://www.amazon.com/dp/0994152418?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_YFJMN955MTTMFVAXJ5RTTo see the work Ambassadors & Bridge Builders do and access their online resources or donate to their cause, head to: www.abbi.org.au #queerfullymade #lgbtq #lgbtqchristian #lesbian #gay #bi #trans #queer #christian #lgbtqinclusion #church #faithandsexuality #anthonyvennbrown #podcast #sexualityjourney #pentecostal #fallfromgrace #gaycommunity #lgbtqadvocate #faithjourney
In this episode, Aaron Kelly and Ben Nicholson dive into the raw, emotional journey of coming out as LGBTQ+ while rooted in faith communities.
Trigger warning: This episode includes discussions of suicide, reflecting Aaron’s struggles.
Aaron opens up about the intense challenges of coming out as a gay man in evangelical Christianity, including dark moments where he contemplated suicide. Ben shares his path, navigating the phase of coming out and finding safe people.
Together, they offer wisdom on preparing to come out, finding affirming allies, and managing community rejection. Their honest, heartfelt chat, sprinkled with humour, lights a path to authenticity for anyone feeling torn between faith and identity.
If you or someone you know is contemplating suicide, help is available. Contact Lifeline Australia, 24 hours a day. Call 13 11 14 or text 0477 13 11 14.
Welcome to the debut episode of Queerfully Made Podcast, where we explore the raw, beautiful intersection of faith and sexuality. Titled "Aaron's Testimony" as a cheeky homage to those classic church testimonies, this episode co-host Aaron Kelly chats with Ben Nicholson about his journey as a gay man raised in evangelical Christianity.
Aaron paints a vivid picture of his early years: youth groups, sermons, and family pressures that made his attractions feel like a shameful secret sin. He opens up about conversion practices, the shame they brought, and the fear of rejection when coming out. But hope shines through as Aaron shares finding affirming faith that celebrates authenticity, not suppression.
This is just the highlights reel. One episode can't capture it all. In the first few episodes, we'll dive deeper into Aaron and Ben's stories, unpacking their unique paths. Then, we'll welcome guests from across the faith and sexuality spectrum: affirming leaders, theologians, ex-pastors, queer activists, drag queens, and more, having conversations exploring whether faith and lgbtq+ sexuality can coexist.
If you've ever felt torn between who you are and what you believe, Aaron's story will resonate. Tune in for vulnerability, humour, and hope.
Subscribe for future episodes, and join us in building a community where every story belongs.
In Episode 2 of Queerfully Made Podcast, cheekily titled "Ben's Testimony" as a wink to church-style stories of overcoming, but this one's all about a different kind of freedom. Co-host Ben Nicholson opens up to Aaron Kelly about his hidden journey as a gay man in evangelical Christianity, where purity rules left no room for LGBTQ+ intimacy.
Ben shares the exhausting double life: sneaking moments of connection in secret, always under the radar, because anything else felt forbidden. It's a raw look at the isolation and stress of suppressing desires while clinging to faith. Things turn dark as Ben recounts rock-bottom moments, including time in prison, and the long road to rebuilding. Freedom came post-release, culminating in his authentic coming out during COVID, a time of global isolation that ironically set him free from religious restraints.
This episode is a testament to resilience, showing how faith and identity don't have to clash. If you've hidden parts of yourself or wondered if there's a way forward, Ben's story offers hope and honesty.
In these early episodes, we're unpacking our hosts' journeys before welcoming guests from across the faith-sexuality spectrum. Queerfully Made proves both can thrive together.
Subscribe for more, and catch Episode 3 soon!
What part of Ben's story hit home? Comment below!
