Anthony Venn-Brown: The Definitive Sydney Talkback Radio Interview

Editor’s Note: This landmark interview originally took place in 2007 during the release of the second edition of A Life of Unlearning. Looking back nearly 20 years later, Anthony Venn-Brown OAM describes this as one of his most significant radio moments—a "groundbreaking" day when the switchboard lit up and the city stopped to listen. We are sharing this archive for those who weren't there to witness these defining days in the journey toward LGBTIQ acceptance.

"When did you learn to talk gay?" one caller asked.

It was a pretty normal Saturday afternoon on Sydney talkback radio with Glenn Wheeler. The schedule was set for sports, gardening, and cooking. But when Anthony Venn-Brown OAM took the mic, the response was unbelievable.

What was meant to be a 5-minute interview turned into a defining moment in radio history. The switchboard lit up, guests were bumped, and the city of Sydney stopped to listen to a conversation about faith, identity, and the journey of "unlearning."

Part 1: The Radio Interview

Topics: Mardi Gras, why people "talk gay," being gay in a straight marriage, and situational homosexuality.

The "Groundbreaking" Story Behind the Interview

During the broadcast, Anthony discusses the historic moment Gay Pentecostals marched in the Mardi Gras. You can read the full account of what actually happened that night here:

Read: A Divine Moment in Mardi Gras

Part 2: The Book Launch

Glenn Wheeler reflects on the personal impact the interview had on him and the community.

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A Life of Unlearning
Anthony Venn-Brown’s bestselling autobiography is available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Booktopia.
ISBN-13: 978-0994152411