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By Dave Melson Washington, D.C., Chapter Leader In commemoration of 2006 being designated as “The Year of the Chapter,” we have heard from Jason Giles of the Portland, Oregon, chapter and Jim Westwood, the Chicago Area Contact. This month, I have been asked (apparently in the interest of geographic balance) to share a few words as the Chapter Leader of the Washington, D.C., chapter. It was suggested that I might want to talk about what it is like to be a part of an active, happy, and friendly chapter. It’s great. Washington was one of the four original chapters of Affirmation, and since that time in 1979 there has been some kind of meeting or activity almost every month. Much like LDS church units outside of the Rocky Mountains, Washington has often been seen as being in the Affirmation “mission field,” and there have been several periods when we have been the only chapter east of Denver. That makes it especially exciting to see great new chapters becoming established in Philadelphia, New York, Orlando, and Chicago, as well as South America and throughout the world. Two of the things that have made Affirmation DC an “active, happy, and friendly” chapter have been that everyone has a great respect for everyone else, and that we try to never take ourselves too seriously. Our activities range from informal social get-togethers and entertainment to very serious speakers and political LGBT civil rights activities (after all, this is Washington), with an amazing number of events that either center around or feature food. Nonetheless, at the end of the day we know that the reason that we are together is simply to be around other people who share the unique (or strange) perspective of being both gay and Mormon (be it spiritually or culturally or socially) or being closely linked to someone who is. My first Affirmation meeting was on a Super Bowl Sunday and in the middle of a snow storm. Four people showed up, including the host, the Chapter Leader, and me, but I felt as though I had come home. My favorite event each year is the Affirmation DC Thanksgiving Dinner. When I walk in the front door of a beautiful home to the smells of turkey and of the holidays, and to the embraces of forty or fifty great men and women, some of whom have traveled a few hundred miles from the far edges of the chapter, I know that these folks are my family. After dinner, we will sit together and share with each other the things from the past year for which we are thankful; the list is always long and the day is always special. Our meetings and activities vary greatly in format and venue. A lot of people attend most events, some come now and then, but beneath the surface, there is almost always a bond. Over time, we have helped each other to come out of the closet, to survive divorce, excommunication, or the hurt of family members who don't understand, to grieve the death of loved ones, and to celebrate partnerships, marriages, and milestones. Our Thanksgiving hosts for the past two years, Robert and Lani Graves, have become our Mission Presidents and surrogate parents. And yes, we have a Relief Society President and a Stake President and others whom have earned titles of affection. I invite you to visit us, either in person, or on our web site at www.AffirmationDC.org. The web site includes our monthly newsletter and a calendar of upcoming activities. And all of us here in Washington look forward to seeing you this fall at the Affirmation Conference in Portland and next year when we have the honor of hosting the 2007 conference here in Washington.
by Jason Giles, Portland Conference Chair "My heart was pounding, but there was no turning back! We slowly moved our way through the darkened passage, feeling the walls at our sides to guide us. A scream in the distance suddenly erupted, and I realized I didn't know whether this shriek came from behind... or ahead. I grabbed my friend's arm tighter as he stopped, rotated to the left, and then slowly continued down the passageway. 'Let's get out of here,' I sharply whispered to my friend, and we swiftly walked towards the doorway ahead with a ghastly green mask in pursuit. As we turned into next darkened hallway, I looked back. The phantom harlequin was gone. Any thoughts of its disappearance were jarred from my head when friend pulled me forward. Before us stood a large, red door at the end of this hallway that we inevitably must open. What new horrors would await us there?" Was this a nightmare I had? A scary story I read? No. This was one small section of my tour through Scream at the Beach, the premiere haunted house attraction of the Pacific Northwest. Every October for the past several years, Portland Affirmation has had the great fortune of going as a group through Scream at the Beach. The creation of Henry Miller (Affirmation member), Scream at the Beach features 4 separate scary exhibitions spread across multiple buildings, with distinct themes like jungle temple ruins or a haunted castle filled with specters. Henry has utilized amazing visuals, sounds, and even special effects to make Scream fun and scary for all who dare enter. October 20-22, 2006, the National Affirmation Conference will be held in Portland, Oregon. To kick off this exciting weekend, we are thrilled to announce that Scream at the Beach will be our opening night activity. From the Doubletree Lloyd Hotel, we'll shuttle as a group to Scream (at Jantzen Beach), mingle over a pizza dinner, and then go through all 4 of these chilling attractions. Over a $25 value, this evening will be free to you with your registration to the conference. In the coming weeks, registration forms will become available. Start planning now to join us for this fun and enriching conference. It'll be a Scream!
Book Your Flight Now for Conference! by Olin Thomas It's not too early to book your flight for the upcoming conference in Portland. Although registration won't begin until May and you have months before it's necessary to reserve your room, you can save big by planning your flight now. Those incredible airfare deals you hear about and see advertised are only available on a limited number of seats. When they are gone, so is your chance to travel on a budget. This conference will begin on Friday evening, with the annual business (leadership) meeting a little earlier, around 3:00 pm. Schedule a flight for early Friday, or come earlier and see more of Portland. The conference proper will end on Sunday by 2:00 PM, so you can get a Sunday evening flight, or stay an extra day to enjoy the post conference hiking, rafting and exploring. One Washington, DC chapter member already found a $169 round trip ticket from the East Coast! Personally, I've already got a ticket, courtesy of my frequent flyer miles. This is the time to redeem those miles while you can still get a seat on a decent flight! Another nice thing about booking now -- it spreads the overall cost out over an extended period. Buy your ticket now, pay your registration in the early summer, and your room at the event. Booking early is smart shopping! See you in Portland.
by Olin Thomas, Executive Director Affirmation's executive committee held planning and strategy meetings in Phoenix, AZ over the weekend of February 18-19 and joined the Phoenix Chapter at their February chapter meeting. The committee would like to thank Mark Hansen for hosting the meetings at his home, Stoney for helping to coordinate the event and for offering guest housing, and Richard Gordon and the rest of the chapter for their hospitality. Executive committee meetings in conjunction with local events are the cornerstones of the Affirmation organizational year. These get-togethers allow the committee to coordinate national events and infrastructure and provide a chance for members in different cities to offer input and meet the committee members. The next Cornerstone event will be held in Portland, Oregon over the weekend of June 3&4, 2006. I would like to extend a invitation to all Affirmation members interested in serving in a national position to consider attending. In addition, all members in Portland, Seattle and nearby areas are invited to join the committee and the Portland Chapter on Saturday evening for fun and socializing and to get an update on Affirmation itself. For more information, email the at excom2005  affirmation.org.
by March 2006 Eduk was born in Venezuela and served in the Maracaibo Venezuela Mission from 1991 to 1993. He's currently serving as the leader for Affirmation Seattle. In this article, he shares the experience he had when he came out to a ward in Los Angeles and invites Affirmation members to join him on May 7 to attend a testimony meeting and do likewise. We invite you to describing your experience. Los Angeles, May, 2002 Dear Diary: Today I woke up, and I felt like never before. My heart was filled with joy, and I wanted the world to know that I had conquered my fears and overcome my obstacles. It was the first Sunday of the month, fast and testimony meeting. On that morning I had the desire to go to church and bear my testimony. It was a day that changed my life as well as the lives of others. As I walked into the church, I was surrounded by smiling faces, and the smell of family values embraced me with memories of the past. The sacrament meeting was about to start. This was the Los Angeles singles ward. Over 200 members and all the stake leaders, including the stake president, where present. I later learned they were there to divide the ward. After the fifth testimony, I walked to the podium, took a deep breath and I began my testimony: "My name is Eduk. The last time I stood up to bear my testimony was over 9 years ago, and at that moment I knew it was going to be the last time for a long time. A few days after that, I came out of the closet. Many thing were taken away from me—the right to go to the temple, the right to partake of the sacrament—and many people turned their backs on me. Many obstacles came to my path, but no one was able to take away my ability to pray. The power of prayer guided me to overcome my fears. My testimony, spirit, dignity, and pride went through fire, and now they are stronger than ever." "Thanks to my family and the Church, I was taught to be honest no matter what. Thanks to your teachings about the power of prayer, I stand today and I can say as a gay man that the Holy Ghost is still with me." "I know that God loves me for who I am. Because of all the obstacles I have had to overcome, I'm more humane and understanding of others. I know with all my heart that God exists, as he guides me every day. The Holy Ghost did not go away. It is with me more than ever. Amen." When I finished my testimony, the entire room was looking at me. Their eyes were saying, "Did he just say he is gay?" The young women next to me hugged me with so much love. After the meeting was over, I was approached by many people. The stake president thanked me for my testimony. Men and women came to me, hugged me, and thanked me for my testimony and encouragement. A few members came out after my testimony, and others were more accepting. I know with my heart that if some of us take the risk of sharing our coming out stories with the church, this will inspire others, as long as we do it with dignity and pride. Don't be afraid--no one is going to hurt you. I would like to invite all of you to join me on Sunday, May 7, 2006, to share your story in some local ward. Do it for yourself and for those who need to know that everything will be OK—for those who can't see the light. I know you can be that light that so many need. LDS Church Threatens to Excommunicate Legally Married Man Affirmation Member Buckley Jeppson to Face Church Court by Hugo Salinas
"Being a member of the Church is not like belonging to a club," says Jeppson. "It is my history, my family heritage, my testimony, and the faith to which I have devoted the last 57 years of my life. I just want to worship quietly and peacefully in a place that is safe. I don't ask the Church to change its doctrines or practices. I just want us to be left alone." In the temple, Mormons covenant to have no sexual relations except with their "husband or wife" to whom they are "legally and lawfully wedded." This leads some observers to believe that Jeppson, who is legally married to his husband, is not excommunicable on the grounds of having broken the law of chastity. LDS President Gordon B. Hinckley has repeatedly claimed that the Church disciplines gays and lesbians using the same standard that applies to heterosexuals. However, Affirmation: Gay and Lesbian Mormons, has documented many actions that contradict the claim of a single standard. Brigham Young University students have been expelled for merely holding hands, kissing, and receiving gifts from their same-sex dates, and the secretive LDS Church Handbook of Instructions establishes policies that clearly set gay and lesbian Mormons apart from their heterosexual counterparts. For an overview of the LDS Church's long history of actions against its gay and lesbian members, visit www.affirmation/antigay. Coalition to Send Flowers LDS members and friends are banding together to send pink flowers to President Nolan Archibald and the leadership of the Washington DC Stake in support of Buckley Jeppson. Organized by the Safe Space Coalition, the purpose of this campaign is to send a message to the Church and the world that "many are ready for a more inclusive paradigm that has safe space for all within the LDS Church." Individuals and organizations that would like to participate in the Safe Space Campaign are encouraged to send at least one pink carnation to represent every person they know who could benefit from more Safe Space. The flowers will be delivered together at a media event timed to be near the date of Buckley's disciplinary council. Pink carnations cost $1 each. Be generous and send several. We all know many people who need a safe space where they can worship in peace. To send a flower, please visit www.ldssafespace.org/ takeaction.htm  .For permanent updates on this developing story, go to www.affirmation.org/ jeppson.
Kanab teen criticizes “family resolution,” gets bullied by mayor by Seba Martínez Kim Lawson, Mormon mayor of the town that recently adopted a resolution calling marriage between a man and a woman "ordained by God" has a new favorite target: Matt Livingston, a 17-year-old boy who dared to criticize the mayor in a column for the local paper. "Mayor, I'm callin' you out, along with your 'Family Vision for the City of Kanab.'" Livingston wrote on Feb. 1 in the Southern Utah News. "As a fellow LDS member, I would expect a more Christ-like countenance on your part; your actions are in the spotlight, and you have let down your religion, community and nation." Unhappy with Livingston's criticism, Lawson sent letters to both Livingston's stake president and school superintendent expressing "concern" for the teen and claiming that Livingston "has been influenced by his family as well as the Southern Utah News editor." "Is his tone and verbiage consistent and in concert with the principles embodied within his church?" Lawson asked Livingston's LDS stake president Matt Brown. "'I view Matt as [a] representative of the future for his church and nation. We need intelligent, principled men and women to lead and guide us. Oft-times 'mid-course' guidance is needed to ensure the target is reached." "'The mayor's a coward,"' Livingston told a Salt Lake Tribune reporter. "He's a grown man and mayor of a city doing this behind the back of someone who is not even 18." Joel Campbell, a Brigham Young University journalism instructor, deems Lawson's acts of intimidation inappropriate. "We value a difference of opinion in our society," Campbell said, "and young writers shouldn't be bullied by letters to church leaders and the school." Campbell believes Livingston should be praised for exercising his First Amendment rights. Scholarship Granted The Utah Press Association awarded Matt Livingston the $500 Super Journalist Scholarship at its annual meeting in St. George. "I'm not going to let the scholarship go to my head, but keep doing what I'm doing," Livingston said. UPA Vice President Laurie Wynn praised Livingston, a senior at Kanab High, for taking a bold stand against a community leader. "He's an amazing young man," Wynn said. For information about the so-called "Proclamation on the Family", visit www.affirmation.org/ proclamation. 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 Senior Assistant Director: Alyson Bolles Assistant Director: James Morris Associate Director & Affinity Editor: (affirmationLDS  earthlink.net)
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