This year marks the 40th anniversary of the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, which was first held on June 28, 1978.

The University of Sydney held a two-day conference to commemorate the event, that included an interfaith panel made up of Jews, Christians and Muslims.

Associate professor Bronwyn Winter, from the University's School of Languages and Cultures, chaired the panel and spoke to us about LGBTQI dialogues within and across monotheistic religions and cultures.

But we start with a personal story from Liam Webb, a member of the Leichardt Uniting Church in Sydney. He tells us about how he's negotiated his strong Christian faith and queer identity.

It's a journey that included gay conversion therapy, where he was trained to walk and talk differently; ex-gay ministry, where the message was that gay people were unsafe around kids; and finally, learning to embrace his intersecting identity.

Now, he helps run The Reformation Project in Sydney, which is a US based group supporting LGBT Christians, and a pro-gay understanding of the Bible.

We also hear from Louise Williams, an honours student at the Arabic department of the University of Sydney.

She's researching queer Arab voices and the same-sex marriage debate that occurred last year.

And at the conference, we hear from Robin, who comes from a Lebanese Muslim background. Robin came out as a lesbian at age 26, and in the last decade transitioned from female to male.

He tells us about having to choose between two worlds - his family and faith, or his sexual identity.

And finally, Sydney University PhD student Curtis Dickson talks to us about about his research looking at LGBTQI Christians in Pride events in Los Angeles, San Francisco and Sydney.

This week's program touches upon the mental health of those identifying as LGBTQI. If you or anyone you know needs help:

Lifeline: 13 11 14

Beyond Blue: 1300 22 46 36

QLife (counselling and referral service for LGBTI people): 1800 184 527 or chat online

Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467