About The Same Same 25 The Same Same 25 is an annual celebration of the 25 Most Influential Gay and Lesbian Australians. They are publicly nominated, and chosen by a panel of community leaders. For the past two years, the announcement of the 25 Most Influential Gay and Lesbian Australians has attracted widespread national media attention and focused on the achievements and influence of a varied and inspirational group of people. View the Same Same 25 for 2008 here. View the Same Same 25 for 2007 here. About Same Same
The Judges - The Same Same 25 judges are drawn from a wide cross-section of the community, representing a broad field of influence and experience in their chosen professions. Andrew Creagh (Editor, DNA Magazine), Cec Busby (Editor, LOTL Magazine), Rachel Cook (Editor, Cherrie Magazine), Christian Taylor (Editor, SameSame.com.au), David Wilkins (ACON), Kevin Golding (Business Analyst), Peter Walton (Publisher, Evolution), Libby Clark (Co-founder, Sound Alliance), Tim Duggan (Co-founder, SameSame.com.au)
The Process - The Same Same 25 is publicly nominated, and chosen by a panel of community leaders. Anyone in Australia can nominate someone for the Same Same 25.

Anthony Venn Brown

Ex-preacher and author

Anthony Venn-Brown is Australia’s pre-eminent spokesperson calling for the unity between the gay community and religion. It’s a hot-button issue that is only going to increase with time, but Venn-Brown’s measured, calm way of proceeding is inspiring to many people in Australia and overseas.

Venn-Brown first appeared on the Same Same 25 list in its inaugural year, and has been working tirelessly every since. “The first time was a real honour, and so it is this time, and it’s a real validation of the work I’m doing with GLBT people of faith and religion. The first time I was on the list I was very conscious of it, I thought ‘I’m one of the 25 most influential gays and lesbians in Australia, I’d better do something!’ so it was a real driving force as well.”

Venn-Brown started up support group Freedom 2 b[e] that recently celebrated its fourth birthday and continues to influence people of all ages. Its main focus is the wellbeing of gay men and women from Pentecostal and Charismatic churches, helping them to discover that they are not alone, so they can begin the journey of repair that allows them to live authentically and continue, if they choose, to have faith.