Affirmation is a fellowship of gays, lesbians, bisexuals, their family and friends who share the common bond of the Mormon experience. Its purpose is to provide a supportive environment for relieving the needless fear, guilt, self-oppression and isolation that LDS gays and lesbians can experience in an era where willful ignorance about human sexuality is too often a reality. We believe that a same-gender orientation and same-gender relationships can be consistent with and supported by the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We affirm that we are children of Heavenly Parents who love us the way they created us and will judge us, as they do all, based on what we make of our lives here and how we have treated our sisters and brothers.

Our goal of understanding and acceptance of gays and lesbians as full and equal members of society and church is furthered by:

• Encouraging spirituality, prayer and Christ-like behavior among all people, and affirming the inherent dignity of all God's children, regardless of sexual orientation.



• Providing support and understanding for people experiencing difficulty reconciling their gay identity and their LDS faith with the popular attitudes of church members and leaders that often reflect misinformed ideas about homosexuals and homosexuality.



• Influencing church leaders and members to follow scriptural admonitions in their treatment and perception of homosexual church members, rather than the unchristian ideas of hate, violence, fear and prejudice.



• Providing a forum for open and respectful discussion of issues of concern both to gay/lesbian LDS people and to other members of the church.



• Providing gay/lesbian LDS people with positive opportunities for social, intellectual, emotional and cultural development.