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By Hugo Salinas, Associate Executive Director November 2 is a day that will help define the political future of our country: It is general election day. Do you feel cynical about politics? Democracies are indeed imperfect. And yet democracies are the only system that allows us to have a voice--"to do [our] business by the voice of the people" (Mosiah 29:26). Even though Affirmation does not endorse political candidates, our organization has always stood for human rights and equality. One of the milestones in Affirmation took place last year, when our executive director Scott MacKay endorsed a legal brief that helped reverse Texas's anti-sodomy law. We didn't realize at that time the tremendous significance of that event--a piece of the puzzle that, as we see it today, may lead someday to marriage equality. Whoever wins the national elections will have an important influence on the matter of gay rights and marriage equality. President George W. Bush, for instance, supports amending the constitution to permanently ban gay marriage. Just as importantly, in the next four years some members of the Supreme Court will most likely retire, which means that our next president, in nominating Supreme Court judges, will make decisions that will affect profoundly our laws for decades to come. At this time of terrible wars, political scandals, and widespread cynicism, I add my voice to that of church leaders who are inviting members to register to vote and to "vote their conscience." We must exercise the rights we have now--such as the right to vote--before we ask for new ones. Follow what the candidates are doing and saying. Get acquainted with some of the important issues that our nation is facing. And on November 2, cast your ballot to help make a difference.
The Early Registration Deadline Is July 15 Don't miss the July 15 deadline to register for the 2004 Affirmation confrence at the best price! All the registration materials for the 2004 Affirmation conference can be found online at <www.affirmation.org/ conference>. Register today!
The Deadline is September 15 By James Kent It is time once again to call for nominations for Affirmation's highest honor, the Paul Mortensen Award. The award is presented each year at our annual conference to an individual who has served Affirmation in outstanding leadership and service during the past year. The criteria for selecting a nominee should be:
Do not submit just a name. We need to know something about the individual since the committee may not know him/her well. The nominations must be received by September 15, 2004--no exceptions! E-mail them to the at EdithHead  aol.com; do not send copies to anyone else. Or mail them to the National Post
Office Box:
AffirmationThe winner will be announced at the Affirmation international conference in San Francisco on October 9, 2004. The selection committee is made up of past recipients of the award. Be sure to show this letter to everyone in your area. You may be the one who should be nominated and you may not want to nominate yourself. Please note that a past recipient of the award can be nominated again for this year's Mortensen Award recipient. If you have any questions, at EdithHead aol.com. We look forward to seeing you at the San Francisco conference, which
is certainly going to be a great event. Please start thinking about
this award today and get your nomination in tomorrow.
Pride Day: Reports from Our Chapters By Hugo Salinas, Olin Thomas, Jason Giles, and James Kent Wasatch In the midst of a state and national controversy over the matter of marriage equality, thousands of gay Mormons, along with their partners, children, and relatives, participated in the 2004 Pride celebration held in Salt Lake City on June 13. Big Water mayor and Affirmation member Willy Marshall participated in the parade, waving at the crowds from his car. A coalition of gay Mormons marched with a banner that read "Gay Latter-day Saints" and ran a lavish display that was visited by thousands. The coalition includes members of Affirmation: Gay and Lesbian Mormons, Gamofites, Gay LDS Young Adults, LDS Family Fellowship, and LDS Reconciliation. Members of the Restoration Church of Jesus Christ, who are also part of the coalition, staffed their own booth. Hundreds of gay and lesbian returned missionaries marked on a giant world map the areas where they served their missions. The Mormon exhibit included several passages from LDS scriptures that affirm equality and free agency. One of the featured scriptural passages suggested that the current anti-gay efforts toward amending the Utah and the US constitution will infringe on the "inalienable rights" spoken of in the Doctrine and Covenants and in the declaration of Independence. Another passage reminded visitors of an episode in the Book of Mormon in which the people fought to preserve their liberties, their homes and their families (see Alma 43:9, 45, 47-48). As stated in one of the displays, "Gays and Lesbians today are fighting for the exact same freedoms that Captain Moroni, the Nephites and the Stripling Warriors fought for." Washington, DC Washington DC Chapter members showed the Affirmation flag at the Capital Pride Festival on June 13, staffing a booth from 9:30am to 6:00pm and meeting about a dozen potential new members, plus many more new friends. The festival is held right on Pennsylavania Ave, which is closed for the event, only a few blocks from the Capitol Building and ironically right in front of the National Archives, which contains the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. I wonder how many see the irony of gays and lesbians striving for equal treatment in 2004 only a few steps from the original documents stating, "We hold this truths to be self evident, that all men are created equal." Our Pride Festival is but one step on the path to "create a more perfect union."
Portland Portland Affirmation had a small contingent of 7 marchers carrying banners and signs in the 2004 Pride parade. As usual, we were met with intense applause and frequent reactions of surprise that gay/lesbian Mormons exist and have united. In addition to promoting Affirmation, we were excited to endorse Steven Fales' autobiographical, one-man show, Confessions of a Mormon Boy, which plays its final weekend in Portland before moving to SLC and NYC. The march was especially exciting for the only lesbian to march from our group. Although she only first learned about Affirmation a few weeks ago, had never marched in Pride before, and was extremely nervous, she proudly represented Affirmation women everywhere. Hawaii Some members of Affirmation Hawaii celebrated June Pride at a luau in Honolulu on June 12, 2004. There was plenty of food (poi, pineapple, kalua pig, lomi salmon, squid luau, opihi, raw rock crab, poke, haupia, kulolo, and cake) and song and hula dancing.
Don't Forget the Writing Contest! The Affirmation Writing Awards contest is open to non-fiction writing
in any genre on any subject relevant to GLBT Mormon experience. Most
contestants submit previously unpublished work, but you can also nominate
a piece published during the last year.
You grew up queer* and closeted in a Mormon family or household, but where are you now? We want to publish your story! (*Someone queer may be lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, two-spirit, inter-sexed, questioning… or you name it.) Have you ever wreaked havoc upon the classic "Molly Mormon" and "Peter Priesthood" gender norms; scoured cities and fields looking for others like you, maybe finding them, or finding yourself forever changed along the way; stormed the streets with pride or placards; raged against God and government; had an erotic encounter and saw the heavens open; sorted out your secret desires over a cup of cocoa, coffee or, uh, Postum? Do you have a story from your Mormon past about being queer that would make us fall out of the pew laughing? We are compiling an anthology of such stories to arouse, to inspire, to entertain, to teach, and most of all, to claim our identities. This Is the Place for queer writers with Mormon backgrounds to pioneer our own collection of memoirs, personal essays and historical narratives. ABOUT THE EDITORS Tim Doody and Frank Susa both grew up queer in Mormon households and now live in New York City. From the East Coast to the West Bank, Tim has organized civil disobedience actions and street parties to challenge the policies of governments and corporations. He is currently writing a memoir, No Rules for Radicals. Frank's writing on queerness and Mormonism has appeared nationally in a variety of newspapers, newsletters, and journals. He currently represents Mormons on the steering committee of the National Religious Leadership Roundtable for GLBT Rights. GUIDELINES Send your stories by October 31 2004 to: This Is the PlaceSubmissions should be no more than 5000 words, typewritten in a 12-point font, double-spaced and single-sided. Please include a cover letter with brief bio and contact info, as well as a self-addressed and stamped envelope of sufficient size for the return of your manuscript. Email Tim and Frank at thisistheplace riseup.net with inquiries only.
No email submissions, please.
Utah Service Celebrates GLBT Spirituality Gay and Lesbian Mormons Participate By Hugo Salinas Approximately 200 people celebrated GLBT spirituality during an interfaith service held June 12 at the Wasatch Presbyterian Church in Salt Lake City. The service was carried out with the support of some 15 religious congregations and faith traditions, including Christian, Jewish, Mormon, Buddhist, Universalist, and Pagan. With the theme "Commitments of the Heart," the service included readings from the Hebrew Bible (Deuteronomy 6:4-9), the New Testament (Colossians 3:12-15), and the Book of Mormon (Mosiah 18:8-10). The speakers were Tracee Rosen, of Congregation Kol Ami, John-Charles Duffy, from Affirmation: Gay and Lesbian Mormons, and Erin Gilmore, of Holladay United Church of Christ. Maureen Duffy-Boose, from the Covenant of Unitarian-Universalist Pagans, led the opening charge. Bryan Stone-Daly and Aaron Davis, from the Tibetan Buddhist tradition, recited the Mantra of Compassion. Matthew Cockrum, from the Unitarian Universalist Church of Ogden, conducted a ritual of recommitment. Representatives from six different organizations led a rainbow litany focused on the six colors of the rainbow flag, which symbolize life (red), healing (orange), light (yellow), creation (green), relationships (blue), and spirit (violet). The Salt Lake Men's Choir provided the music. The parting prayer was read by out Utah state representative Jackie Biskupski. "Spirituality is not simply a personal matter," said speaker John-Charles Duffy as part of his remarks. "It's not only a question of personal beliefs or personal spiritual practices. Certainly it involves those things; but spirituality also encompasses relationships and community."
Larry Mann, a direct descendent of Jedediah M. Grant (first mayor of Salt Lake City), is a Utah boy through and through. A graduate of Bountiful High School and Brigham Young University, Larry served his mission in Austria (1971-1973), got married in 1979, and became a family Mann. He and Susan had one child, a son named Beckett, who lived five years. Although Larry and Susan now live in Alexandria, Virginia, and remain close friends, they are no longer married. A technical editor for the American Institute of Architects, Larry is also national chairperson of Gamofites--Gay Mormon Fathers. The workshop will explore who, what, why, and possible purposes for God's queer children. His presentation will be highly interactive, humorous, and challenging and will provide a chance both to learn and to make friends. Affirmation: Gay and Lesbian Mormons P.O. Box 46022 Los Angeles, CA 90046 National Phone Line: (323) 255-7251 To see a directory of current Affirmation chapters, visit www.affirmation.org/chapters Executive Director: Olin Thomas AFFIRMATION GAY & LESBIAN MORMONS is a non-profit support group serving
Gay and Lesbian Mormons, their families and friends since 1977. AFFINITY
is the official publication of the Affirmation National Executive Committee.
About AFFINITY and E-AFFINITY AFFINITY is available both as an email text and as a web-based document. Although both versions are free of charge, we encourage you to become a dues-paying member and thus help us advance Affirmation's important mission. If you wish to receive a text version of AFFINITY by email, simply
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