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Mark Cochran

Saving Lives with Affirmation

by Mark Cochran
April 2008

This is the third in a series of articles featuring the voices of Affirmation. If you are interested in having your voice featured here, please contact Olin Thomas by visiting www.affirmation.org/contact/ex_dir.

I came into contact with Affirmation because a dear friend of mine, a non-Mormon lesbian had witnessed the suffering I faced as I attempted to reconcile my faith with my gay sexuality. As I was doing so, however, I was losing the battle and began pushing her away. She cared enough to intervene and found Affirmation for me. She insisted I attend. I owe her my life.

My first Affirmation meeting was on Sunday, July 5, 1987. I remember that dry, hot day as I made the 3-hour holiday weekend drive from my hometown of Modesto, California to the Eureka Street MCC Building where the San Francisco Chapter met. Once there, any apprehension I had about getting involved in Affirmation soon melted away as I was greeted by one of my still-favorite friends – James Morris – and a handful of others. They saw my struggle and held onto me as I learned that I was as much a child of God as any other person – and that I too, was entitled to and could achieve a joyful life.

As the years have passed, I have held onto the lessons I've learned through my association with friends and leaders of Affirmation. It's with much gratitude and heartfelt sincerity I recall how my life has been shaped for good and how these lessons and friendships continue to buoy me up, even today.

While attending the Affirmation Conference in DC this past October, I was especially moved by the extraordinary efforts of the DC Chapter, our international leadership and participants and saw first-hand the impact on the attendees' lives. Quite simply, to quote my dear former bishop, Stan Roberts, "Affirmation saves lives." So when my good friends and fellow Affirmation members, Chuck and Ivan asked regarding the status of a group in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, the timing was right to begin something that would start saving and enriching lives in Northeast Texas – our own Affirmation group!

The Dallas-Fort Worth Affirmation Group has met solidly since November 2007 and has over 30 members on our mailing list. Ten of us are attending regularly with a variety of ages, backgrounds and interests. We are having a terrific time together and each of us is committed to building our group and each other. Friendships have formed, warm feelings exist and without a doubt this work is affecting us all for good.

I am humbled and grateful to be a part of this work. Affirmation, the organization that saved my life, gave me understanding and hope twenty years ago, continues to build me today. It is my most sincere desire that with the efforts of the incredible members here in the Dallas Fort-Worth area we can accomplish great things and maybe, "save lives."