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by Michael, Affirmation UK coordinator July, 2003 We started Affirmation in 1981 in central London, after I had realized a need for an LDS LGBT minority support social group. I had been a member of the Church for over 5 years, having fortunately been visiting professor of theater arts at the University of Utah in the 1970's. Although still an active church member, I started a chapter at my apartment in Knightsbridge, London. I did this with a recently excommunicated High Council member. A recently returned missionary (who was sent home for having had a relationship with his companion in California) came to visit us. Unfortunately, after one meeting he got jittery and went and told the bishop about us. In one way I was glad the Church knew, but not the way he told it. The bishop called us in; we thought we were for it!! Imagine our surprise when, after having spoken in length about Affirmation, and played a cassette tape of a KSL TV recording of Affirmation USA, the bishop AND the stake president cancelled the rest of their evenings schedule, listened intently, after which the bishop gave us his unofficial blessing to counsel with anyone who might be concerned. This I have done, (more or less single-handed) to this day. Because of distance, inconvenience, and expense, we no longer have personal meetings or a broadsheet. I have been available to "lend an ear" on the phone and more recently I have been contactable by email or letter. May I finally add that I still have a strong testimony of this church which, as you well know, requires world-wide revelation through fasting and prayer on this vitally important subject. I try to keep close to the gospel and attend sacrament meetings, but I do realize that LGBT needs must eventually be realized, and I constantly pray to this effect.
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www.affirmation.org