Olin Thomas, age 50, resides in Alexandria, VA with his partner of 18 years and works in Washington, DC as a purchasing agent for a woodworking company. A member of Affirmation since 1988, he served as Affirmation's Executive Director for five years, 2004 to 2008, and as Senior Assistant Director in 2003. Olin was the chairman of the 2000 Affirmation Conference in Washington, DC -the first conference held East of Salt Lake City. He has been active in the Washington, DC Chapter of Affirmation since 1988 and served as the Chapter Director for over eight years, as well as Treasurer and Secretary at other times. Born Methodist, Olin was baptized in the Church in 1970 at age 9 when his parents were converted by tracking missionairies in Illinois. After being very active in the LDS Church through college and the early part of a few years in the Army, Olin is now inactive but cares deeply for those under-going the philosphical and emotional difficulties of reconciling being both gay and Mormon.