Affirmation: Gay & Lesbian Mormons

The Affirmation Writing Awards,

, and You
Why We Decided to Make YouTube Clips Part of the Contest

by Hugo Salinas
June 2009

Read the official rules

A teenager from Vermont recounts coming out to his ward in fast and testimony meeting. A group of women from Idaho talk about what it means to be lesbian—and Mormon. A Broadway singer and dancer recounts how he joined the LDS Church, became a BYU Ambassador, and eventually decided to have a commitment ceremony with his same-sex partner. These are just three of a myriad of stories posted by gay and lesbian Mormons on YouTube. Unscripted and compelling, these stories are consistent with the Mormon tradition of bearing one’s testimony, or, to put it in the words of D&C 80:4, to “declare the things which ye know to be true.”

This year, for the first time, we have decided to include a YouTube category in the Affirmation Writing Contest. Granted, talking to a camera is not writing, and unfortunately, this year we cannot guarantee monetary awards to the entries. Yet we have included this category because we have seen in many clips the power that a personal story can have in helping others understand our journeys. Acknowledging exemplary clips is consistent with the original goal of the Writing Awards: to recognize those who help change hearts and minds by speaking up and by sharing with others their experience as GLBT Mormons.

Although some of the stories provided in the links above as examples are longer than 10 minutes, we strongly recommend that you keep your contest entry short. As you contemplate the possibility of posting your own gay Mormon testimony on YouTube, consider the following areas which deserve special interest:

The Mormon lesbian experience. What special challenges and gifts do you think you have as a lesbian woman? How and when did you come out? Are you happy with the place your journey has taken you?

The couple experience (preferably told by both partners). How did you meet? What did you partner think when she or he found out you were a Mormon? How have you approached decisions such as attending church together, having or adopting children, having a civil union, or getting married?

The gay Mormon experience outside the US. What do you think makes your experience different from that of a lesbian or gay man in the US? What kind of cultural values prevail in your country and affect the coming out experience?

The missionary experience: What factors affected your decision to go (or not to go) on a mission? What special challenges did you face as missionary? Do you regret today having (or not having) served?

Read the official rules

See also: Gay Mormon Man Bears Testimony on YouTube