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Your First Time at an Affirmation Activity
It's completely normal to feel apprehensive about attending your first
Affirmation activity. After all, you probably don't know anybody there,
and it's hard for most of us to walk into a room of strangers and feel
right at home. In addition, this may be the first time that you've ever
done anything gay "in public." What if there's someone there
who knows you? Relax. You'd be surprised how many good friendships have
grown out of unexpected encounters with acquaintances at an Affirmation
meeting.
Diversity
Affirmation draws all kinds of people to its activities. At any meeting,
you might find people who, on the one hand, are totally active in the
church and are struggling to come to terms with their homosexuality,
and others, on the other hand, who have completely rejected the church,
and come to Affirmation only for the friendships they have made. In
between, the rest of us are at various stages of church involvement
and acceptance of our sexuality. Affirmation doesn't try to make people
accept a particular set of beliefs in order to be welcome. What we ask
for of everyone is respect for other people's process.
Not Anti-Church
Affirmation is not "anti-church." We have no policy against
the church and let our members decide the attitude they choose to have.
Many of our members have been hurt by the church, but the pain and betrayal
many of us have suffered should not be confused with a rejection of
our faith in God or of everything we have learned from the church. Our
enemy is the ignorance that makes it possible for some Church leaders
and members to treat us with disrespect and disdain.
Fun!
People in Affirmation will be very happy to see you. It's exciting to
meet new people who have found us, and to let them know they're not
alone. We'll be anxious to hear your story, and we'll want to share
our stories with you too. You're bound to make some new friends.
Join Us!
So, what will you find at an Affirmation meeting? You will find good
people who are bound together by their Mormon background, and their
belief that being lesbian, gay or bisexual is not a mistake but an asset
to their lives. We might be having a spiritually oriented meeting, such
as a family home evening or a fireside, or we might have an educational
night with a special speaker. We might be having a social event, or
going out to a movie together. We might just hang out and have an open
discussion night. Each chapter and group decides what kind of activities
it wants to have. But whatever the activity, you will be welcome and
your contributions will make a difference. So come on out! We're anxious
to get to know you! Check out the listing of Affirmation
chapters and groups around the world.
Our
History
Charter
& Bylaws
Join
Us!
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© 1996-2008 Affirmation: Gay and Lesbian Mormons
www.affirmation.org
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