Thomas Palani Montgomery

In 2012 I was a parent of an LGBT youth just discovering his sexual orientation. As the defined life-plan of Mormonism shattered around him, we were terrified of everything we didn’t know. We were left to our stereotypes because we really didn’t know any gay people. We lived in our sheltered Mormon community and shared the communities bias against LGBT people.

Our first conference was a revelation. We met some of the most wonderful people. From everyday common people as normal as the next person to truly extraordinary people. Spiritual giants and people of integrity.

It was at that time that my fears melted away. My son’s life would not be the cookie cutter Mormon life, but in many ways, it would be far more extraordinary. Knowing the Affirmation community is the difference.