Honoring the Legacy of James Kent, Former Executive Director of Affirmation and Mortensen Award Recipient
With profound sadness, the Affirmation community has learned of the passing of James Kent, Former Executive Director of Affirmation and Mortensen Award Recipient, on January 29, 2025.
With deep respect and gratitude, we honor James, who served as Executive Director of Affirmation: LGBTQ Mormons, Families & Friends during the year 2000. In 1995, James received the prestigious Mortensen Award, given to individuals who have made significant contributions to the Affirmation community. James’s leadership was marked by compassion, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to our community.
James’s ability to adapt and lead Affirmation ensured that our mission to create worldwide communities of safety, love, and hope continued unabated. 
James’s vision emphasized the importance of community and friendship. He said, “I look forward to the opportunity to “pay it forward” to the next generation of LDS coming out, be they in their teens, middle-aged, or in their 80s.” He believed in reflecting and amplifying the voices within our community, fostering a sense of belonging and affirmation for all.
Beyond his organizational achievements, James was known for his warmth, authenticity, and genuine care for individuals. His leadership style was inclusive, and he always sought to uplift others and create spaces where everyone felt valued. His “Philly News” and “Ohana News” newsletters and Facebook page presented his personal reflections about life and art, making us feel closer to him.
As we reflect on James’s contributions, we are reminded of the profound impact one individual can have on a community. His legacy of love, resilience, and dedication will continue to inspire us as we move forward, motivating us to carry on his work.
We extend our deepest condolences to James’s family and loved ones, who are all touched by his kindness and love. May we honor his memory by carrying forward the values he passionately embodied, and express our deep gratitude for the life he lived.
During our Affirmation conferences, James would greet the attendees with a rousing “Aloha,” a Hawaiian word that encapsulates love, peace, and compassion, before he began Affirmation’s Memorial Moment at many of our conferences. At the conclusion of every Affirmation conference, we sing the hymn God Be With You Until We Meet Again, a poignant expression of gratitude for the time spent together and a wish for safe travels until we meet again. To our dear friend James, we now say with much love, “Hui hou,” a Hawaiian phrase meaning ‘until we meet again.’
We invite members of our community to share their memories and reflections of James, celebrating the enduring imprint he has left on Affirmation and all who had the privilege of knowing him.
With heartfelt appreciation,
The Executive Committee of Affirmation
Fred Bowers, President
David Widdison, Senior Vice President
Dominick Morales, Vice President