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Editorial: Keynote Speaker Has Been Refined by Fire By Olin Thomas, Executive Director We often speak of coming to accept our sexuality as gay and lesbian people, or of being bisexual or transgender. In the early years of my coming out, it might have been more accurate to say I was resigned to the fact that I was gay. It took me years to get to mere acceptance. It was later still that I realized the goal wasn't to simply accept that I was gay, as if that were a liability and my cross to bear, but to be joyful and use for good purposes what talents my Creator gave me. The many years I spent facing my harsh reality and learning to be proud of who I am finally paid off. The old saying about that which doesn't kill you will make you stronger definitely proved true. To my surprise, rather than being scarred and weary of the battle, I emerged more at peace and filled with understanding. Though we fear that the fire will consume us when we come out and try to deal with family, Church, and career, we can emerge stronger and happier from the ordeal. Our keynote speaker for the 2005 Conference "Reaching New Heights" understands this better than most. The Conference Committee is pleased to announce the selection of Dr. Don Johnson to deliver the keynote address on Saturday, October 1. Dr. Johnson has been through the fire before us. His story spans almost exactly the same time frame as the history of Affirmation: Gay and Lesbian Mormons. His excommunication for being gay occurred exactly on the day of the first national gay rights march in the nation's capital in 1979, where he marched with the gay Mormon contingent in that parade. Dr. Johnson's coming out, while an active Mormon with many callings and a well-known professor at the University of Colorado, attracted interest from CBS, which planned to make a "movie of the week" based on his story. Pressure from the Church played a role in that project being shelved, though it was years later when he learned that Church officials had paid private detectives to follow him and report back on his activities. His groundbreaking class on human sexuality at the University from 1970 to 1985 led to his becoming a national speaker and writer on the topic of gay youth developmental issues and the coming out process, including addressing the 1988 Affirmation Conference in Los Angeles. When Dr. Johnson speaks to us on the process of being strengthened by the "refiner's fire," he will know of what he speaks. Join us in Denver to hear him in person!
Denver Hotel Offers Great Rates When Affirmation: Gay & Lesbian Mormons kicks off the 2005 Conference "Reaching New Heights" in Denver, Colorado, on September 30, you'll want to be there and you'll need a place to stay. Fortunately, we have a great room rate and there are many room options. Use this link to get the details. The Conference Committee strongly encourages everyone coming to the conference to stay with us at the Adam's Mark, www.adamsmark.com/Denver. The hotel is providing free meeting space based upon our using a certain number of rooms. If we do not make our minimum, we will have added meeting costs. So save your hotel reward points for that trip to Mardi Gras! Also, it really is convenient and adds to the overall experience to have a room right upstairs from all the events. If you would like to economize or enjoy fellowship, there may be others seeking to share rooms. To help you connect, you can post a message with contact information on a special roommate finder page of our website: www.affirmation.org/roommate. Follow the instructions at that link and your message will be posted on the webpage. Any interested party may view the postings and make individual contact. The hotel is located in the heart of downtown Denver, close to many attractions. You can turn your trip into a vacation, too, as the room rates will be honored from September 27 through October 4, space permitting. Reserve now to ensure you have a place at the inn for Conference!
It Will Be Held June 3-5, 2005, Near Portland by Alyson Bolles The Affirmation Women's Retreat will be held June 3-5 in the beautiful Columbia River Gorge. The venue, however, has changed. Instead of Menucha Retreat and Conference Center, we'll gather for a weekend of camping and fun near Stevenson, Washington, in the tiny town of Home Valley. Home Valley Park is situated approximately eight miles east of Stevenson, in the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area. It is a beautiful location and only 50 minutes from Portland, Oregon. Visit the Skamania County Chamber of Commerce website for more information on the area at www.skamania.org. Because of the change of venue, the cost will be significantly lower: 15 dollars per night for your campsite (plus approximately 20 dollars to off-set food costs). The Columbia River Gorge has long been my home, and I know the area well. Depending on interest there are beautiful hikes, waterfalls, viewpoints, hang-outs, and softball fields in the very near vicinity. If bad weather befalls us, we will gather at my home 2 miles from the campground for tea, cocoa, meals, etc. Please contact me if you are interested in attending so I can reserve your campsite and plan meals. at alyson  affirmation.org with your contact information, how you will be traveling (rides will be available to and from the Portland airport), and any dietary restrictions before May 20th.
by John-Charles Duffy, AWA Coordinator There are still three months left before August 1, the deadline for this year's Affirmation Writing Awards Contest. As always, the contest is open to all forms of non-fiction writing relevant to GLBTI Mormon experience: personal essays, historical or scholarly articles, journal entries, and letters, just to name a few! In addition, this year's contest especially encourages submission of brochures and booklets to update Affirmation's collection of informational literature. Here are some tips for creating an effective brochure or booklet:
By Hugo Salinas On April 1-3 the Executive Committee of Affirmation gathered in Portland for our second leadership meeting of the year. We held conference calls with out-of-towners who couldn't travel to Portland and discussed almost every aspect of the organization, from finances and the national website to upcoming events such as annual conferences, retreats, and candlelight vigils. Michael joined us for a discussion on the challenges affecting Affirmation Mexico. Rebecca Nay helped us explore transgender issues. Jason Giles discussed perspectives on Portland as a conference destination. The most important announcement is that the Portland chapter has accepted the challenge to be the host of the 2006 annual conference. With a strong local Affirmation chapter, a visible GLBT community, and affordable hotels, Portland is a great conference destination. Many of us have fond memories of the 1998 conference—the first one ever held in Portland. It was such a joy to get re-acquainted with the beautiful people of Portland! On Friday evening we enjoyed a potluck with the whole chapter at the home of Mark and Mark. Alan Blodgett, Rick Fernández, and Henry Miller were most gracious hosts. Ricky Gilbert cooked several of our meals. And Alyson Bolles was our chauffeur and tourist guide. Thank you all for your hospitality and warmth! Phoenix: The Chapter That Rose Anew Based on a report by Norman Jon Sawyer
Since their re-organization in December 2002, Affirmation Phoenix has blossomed. The chapter has been holding activities every month, including parties, movie nights, games nights, potlucks, and discussions. They participated in local Pride Day celebrations—which, due to Phoenix's hot summer weather, are held each April. And last August some 15-20 chapter members and friends, along with some Affirmation dogs, held their first annual campout on the Mogollon Rim. "A strong leadership has been a constant in the last two-and-a-half to three years," writes Norman. "This has been largely due to the committed efforts of a core group made up of Mark, Bobby, and Richard, and now Stoney--the new local chapter leader." "I give credit to the desire of others who have committed to an attraction that we as a leadership reflect," says Bobby. "When our biological families do not have the resources to offer comfort to gay sons and lesbian daughters, we can benefit from a 'made-to-order' group," says Mark. "For many of us, Affirmation has become our adoptive family." Writes Norman, "The message to our gay and lesbian brothers and sisters is to allow yourselves to be happy and loved just the way you are. Forgive your Mormon leaders, for this will begin the divine healing of yourselves." Visit the Phoenix Chapter on the web at www.phxaffirmation.com.
April 2005 We are pleased to announce the distribution of A Guide for Latter-day Saint Families Dealing with Homosexual Attraction, which is now available at Deseret Book online and in 35 stores. It is selling for $5.95. This guide is designed to help LDS families in which a family member experiences homosexual attraction. When such attraction occurs, it requires consideration for every family member as well as understanding, supporting, and nurturing the family member who experiences homosexual feelings. Homosexuality is a complex and complicated matter, one that has generated much religious discussion. While there is no universal consensus on the causes or nature of homosexuality, there is an emerging body of reliable evidence as well as spiritual wisdom that can help guide individuals, families, and ecclesiastical leaders who deal with this issue. Members of the Church are counseled to assist individuals and families dealing with homosexuality. As President Gordon B. Hinckley has said, in speaking of the Church's attitude toward homosexuals, "We want to help these people, to strengthen them, to assist them..." (From the Introduction). About the authors The authors of this guide make compassionate, insightful suggestions for Latter-day Saint families that include someone with homosexual orientation. They bring a deep understanding to this task based on wide experience in church leadership, academic preparation, and professional achievement. One is a psychotherapist; the others have been involved as Church leaders in counseling LDS homosexual persons and/or they have experience dealing with this in their own families. The authors have served and do serve in many church callings including serving as Relief Society President, Young Women's President, two served as bishop, one as mission president in Hong Kong, others served as mission counselor in the Baltic states, stake mission president, bishopric and stake presidency counselors, gospel doctrine or priesthood teachers. They are: Robert A. Rees, Ph.D., Emeritus, University of California, Los Angeles Ron Schow, Ph.D., College of Health Professions, Idaho State University Marybeth Raynes, M.S.W. LCSW, Marriage and Family Therapist William Bradshaw, Ph.D., Professor of Molecular Biology, Brigham Young University We encourage all who receive this notice to contact their local Deseret Book store or go to www.deseretbook.com to learn more about this book. Also, we encourage that these books be shared with local Church leaders. Affirmation: Gay and Lesbian Mormons P.O. Box 46022 Los Angeles, CA 90046 National Phone Line: (661) 367-2421 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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