Adrian Sánchez Román Becomes First International & Latino to Serve on Affirmation’s Board of Directors

Adrian Sánchez Román

The Affirmation Board of Directors has recently invited Adrian Sánchez Román, current President of Affirmation México and Coordinator of Latin America to become a member of the Affirmation Board of Directors.  This is the first time in Affirmation’s history that a Latino and someone from outside the United States has served as an official member of the Board of Directors.

“The Board of Directors is very aware of the significant growth and need for Affirmation’s support internationally.  This year we really moved forward with our international outreach by hosting conferences in Mexico, Lima, Santiago, Buenos Aires, and London.  We foresee Affirmation’s Board of Directors becoming increasingly international and diverse in its make-up as we seek to serve LGBTQ Latter-day Saints around the globe,” said Randall Thacker, Affirmation President.

Adrian with Affirmation Chile founder, Brus Leguás

Adrian with fellow Board members, John Gustav-Wrathall, Todd Richardson, and Wendy Williams Montgomery

Adrian with Affirmation co-founder Paul Mortensen and his husband Robert Jacob in the Tabernacle on Temple Square

One of the many Affirmation events in México

Adrian with Lisbeth Melendez of the Human Rights Campaign at the Affirmation Conference in México City in 2014.

Adrian with Affirmation México founder, Carlos Peralta

Adrian with Affirmation Perú President, Dario Lopez

Adrian with fellow Board member, Beth Ellsworth

Adrian joined the LDS Church 18 years ago and not long after served a mission in Oaxaca, México.  He has served in various Church callings, including Sunday School teacher, Young Men’s President, Institute Teacher, Stake Clerk and Ward Executive Secretary.  He began serving as the President of Affirmation México in early 2014 and has organized two Affirmation México conferences and helped coordinate conferences in Lima, Perú, Santiago de Chile, and Buenos Aires, Argentina.

He has organized dozens of local events throughout México, including monthly devotionals in México City, regional gatherings in other Mexican cities, information booths at Mexico City Pride, and a variety of recreational activities.  He manages various spanish-speaking LGBT Mormon social media groups and networks.  He has also overseen the execution of various LGBT Mormon service projects that include: 1) providing needed hygiene supplies to unjustly incarcerated transgender individuals, 2) organizing an HIV prevention event at a LDS Ward building in México City, and 3) sponsoring a toy drive for hospitalized children.

“Adrian is an excellent leader who not only brings his strong leadership, organizational, and relationship-building skills to the table, but also his intellect, charisma and deep spiritual strength,” said one of his Affirmation colleagues. Adrian has not only collaborated with other LGBT Mormons, their family members and friends, but also with local LDS Church leaders in México and with LGBT organizations in Mexico and throughout Latin America.

“Now more than every have I learned that our lives are part of a divine plan that we all accepted before birth, and it is with this conviction that Heavenly Father has touched my heart to do more for his children who are LGBT.  I want to do whatever it takes to help others see the divine within them,” says Adrian, who also mentioned he is very honored and excited to serve as part of the international Board of Directors of Affirmation.

Adrian has provided countless opportunities for LGBT Mormons to contribute their gifts and talents, but believes his greatest success has been when he has helped people realize they are never unworthy to pray, helping them see they were born as LGBT Mormons for a really special purpose and are always worthy of God’s love.