ROME, ITALY — Affirmation held its the first official Regional Conference of Affirmation outside of the United States on July 9th, 2000. Its main goals were to give European gay Mormons an opportunity to meet representatives of Affirmation from the United States, learn about the unique experiences and needs of gay Mormons throughout Europe, and to develop resources for promoting Affirmation's goals in Europe.

Affirmation representatives included former Executive Director, now Public Relations Director, Rick Fernández, and Affirmation Website Administrator, Henry Miller, together with Dan Stutesman of the American Friends Service Committee - Office of Gay & Lesbian Concerns.

"This was an exciting opportunity for us to extend the reach of Affirmation's work. Too often church members outside the United States hear only one narrow view of Mormonism," stated Rick Fernández. "This conference provided positive alternatives to the antigay messages that current official Mormon church policy is emphasizing. Affirmation provides people a safe place to explore these alternatives and discover that God accepts and affirms all his children, gay or straight."

Our small group of friends met at the Albergo Smeraldo Hotel for the first half of the morning, then moved to a street-side cafe for some Italian treats. Discussions centered on European culture and catching up on our personal lives.

The discussions were followed with a trip to Museo Nazionale Romano Crypta Balbi, a nearby museum where excavation work on ancient Roman ruins was in progress.