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Affirmation 1994 Conference Report by James Kent Sources: The October 1994 issue of Affinity, and Philly News #29 (September 22, 1994) by James Kent. The 16th Annual Affirmation National Conference in Las Vegas, at the Alexis Park Hotel, set a new all-time attendance record with a head-count of 211 people, September 16-18, 1994. We are tremendously grateful to co-chairs Rod Foster and Chris Bramwell. Friday Reception The ice cold lemonade was a welcome relief to the desert heat during the poolside reception. We had some fun mixers using the playing cards attached to our name tags. Comedienne, Laurie Johnson, put on a brilliant solo performance as a Relief Society President, Sister Fonda AlaMode. The more familiar you were with cultural Mormonisms, the funnier she was. Saturday Keynote Speaker There was a nice breakfast for those of us who were out of our room by 8:00 a.m. Kristine Gebbie, President Bill Clinton’s former AIDS Policy Coordinator opened Saturday with her personal congratulations to us for taking a positive approach to being gay and Mormon. She went on to discuss the difficulties of the politics surrounding AIDS and counseled us to the need for grass-roots political activism. The continuing ignorance of educators and law makers on the pandemic virus of AIDS resulted in the millions of deaths world wide with many times more who are HIV positive. We are so willing to invade Haiti to preserve democracy, and yet we turn out backs on a far more lethal health problem. Saturday Workshops Noted Sunstone contributors Paul Toscano, Lavina Fielding Anderson, and Maxine Hanks broadened the scope of subjects addressed. Paul Toscano’s workshop was on Intimacy and Contempt. In a very literate speech, Paul set out to understand what stands behind the violent homophobia within our society. His talk was powerful and funny and real. His concern for us was palpable. When asked about his own handling of being rejected by the LDS church, he responded that his concept of and relationship to God have always been apart of the church and that he feels the best way to "get back at those who ousted him" is to remain a believer and participant. Marv and Geneva Peterson, parents of a gay son, had a workshop on LDS Parents Response to Homosexuality. Geneva spoke of her own coming out process and her love for her son and his lover. Marv discussed his own love for his son, his slow acceptance and understanding of this issue. He also talked about attending his son’s excommunication court and the need of families to educate individual church leaders about the realities of homosexuality. Dr. Steve Ganzell did a workshop on The Realities of Good Therapy. Steve, a gay Mormon, psychotherapist, and director of the sexuality clinic at UCLA came to discuss the differences between good and bad psychotherapy. He wanted us to go away with knowledge to assist our friends who are stuck with LDS Social Services. Other workshops dealt with lesbian female bonding to resist Mormon patriarchy, Gender Roles and LDS Ordinances, and Spiritual Abuse. Saturday Night Entertainment We all went to Kenny Kerr’s Boylesque drag show at the Sahara Casino. The male dancers were wonderful, and the female impersonations included, Marilyn Monroe, Barbara Streisand, Cher, Madonna, and Diana Ross. Imelda was also in attendance. Sunday Keynote Address Keynote Speakers Ron and Adonna Schow, who lost a gay nephew to AIDS, were of particular appeal to family members and those dealing with parental issues. Adonna discussed the limits of living with dualism (i.e. and "either/or" attitude or outlook on life); how this inevitably leads to exclusion and stagnation. She then introduced a parable of a "both/and" outlook. She related this to being gay and Mormon and learning to move forwards in our growth processes. Ron spoke about the politics and processes surrounding the reparative therapies being pushed by the church. He spoke about his own interest in homosexuality. He talked about suicide among gay and lesbian Mormon teenager. Sunday Devotional Chris Branwell from the DC Chapter organized and wrote this part of the program. He discussed the process of self acceptance and empowerment using examples from African American music to tell the story. His friend, Crystal Nichols form Los Angeles, joined him in this effort and sang several Gospel, spiritual, and freedom songs. She included the song, Come, Come Ye Saints. The devotional closed with God Be With You Till We Meet Again. Mortensen Award During our big bunch in the patio area, the Mortensen Award was announced. The annual Mortensen Award, given each year for outstanding service to Affirmation and its members, was shared by two people this year. Jacki Reideman and Tere LaGiusa, current co-directors of the Los Angeles chapter, received the award for their work and commitment on behalf of that chapter, which has grown tremendously in both size and activity during their tenure.
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