Celebrating Our History, Honoring Our Community, and Looking Toward the Future

History matters because it reminds us that the communities we enjoy today were built by individuals who believed that LGBTQIA+ people deserved connection, dignity, and hope.

As we reflect on this week in Affirmation’s history, we celebrate our founding, remember those we have lost, and look ahead to the future we are building together.

Among the voices that have inspired generations of Affirmation members is Sikoki Layton, whose fifth verse of Come, Come, Ye Saints has become a cherished expression of LGBTQ faith, resilience, and belonging:

Come, come ye gays
and lesbians rejoice!
Join in song; hearts will tell.
We stand as one
and raise a mighty voice!
In the light we shall dwell.
As we share with pride
this message true:
We’re God’s gay children
and we’re loved too!
Affirm this truth and spirits swell—
All is well, all is well!

Those words capture something that has been at the heart of Affirmation since its beginning: the belief that LGBTQ people deserve community, dignity, love, and hope.

Celebrating 49 Years of Affirmation

On June 11, 1977, a small group of LGBTQ Latter-day Saints gathered in Salt Lake City to create what would become Affirmation: LGBTQ Mormons, Families & Friends.

At a time when many LGBTQ individuals felt isolated from both their faith communities and the broader world, these pioneers created something remarkable: a place where people could find understanding, friendship, and support.

What began as a local effort has grown into an international organization serving LGBTQIA+ individuals, families, friends, and allies across multiple countries, cultures, and faith journeys.

For 49 years, Affirmation has evolved alongside the communities it serves. Through conferences, support groups, online communities, local chapters, leadership programs, family connections, and personal friendships, countless lives have been touched by people who chose to show up for one another.

The phrase “We stand as one and raise a mighty voice” reflects not only a song lyric but also the story of Affirmation itself. Across nearly five decades, thousands of people have helped build a community where LGBTQ individuals, families, and allies can find belonging and support.

As we celebrate our anniversary, we honor:

• The founders who imagined a different future.
• The volunteers who sustained the organization through difficult years.
• The chapter leaders who built local communities.
• The donors who invested in the mission.
• The families, friends, and allies who stood beside LGBTQ loved ones.
• The thousands of community members whose stories continue to shape Affirmation today.

Every conversation, every friendship, every act of service, and every expression of hope has contributed to the community we share today.

Remembering Pulse: Love Stronger Than Hate

On June 12, 2016, the LGBTQ community and the world were shaken by the tragic attack at Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Florida.

Forty-nine people lost their lives, and dozens more were injured in an act of violence that touched countless families, friends, and communities.

Pulse was more than a nightclub. For many, it was a place of belonging—a place where people could gather, celebrate, connect, and feel safe.

Each year, we pause to remember those whose lives were lost and to honor the survivors, families, and communities affected by the tragedy.

The legacy of Pulse is not only one of grief. It is also a story of resilience, solidarity, compassion, and community. In the aftermath of the tragedy, people from diverse backgrounds came together to support one another and reaffirm the dignity and worth of every human life.

As we celebrate Affirmation’s 49th anniversary and remember the 49 lives lost at Pulse, the connection is impossible to overlook.

One anniversary marks the creation of a community dedicated to helping LGBTQ people find belonging.

The other reminds us why such communities remain essential.

When Sikoki’s verse proclaims that LGBTQ people are loved and worthy of affirmation, it speaks to the same truth that emerged in the wake of Pulse: our lives matter, our communities matter, and our humanity deserves to be honored.

Creating spaces of safety, love, and hope is not simply part of our mission—it is one of the ways we honor those who came before us and those we have lost.

May we remember.

May we learn.

May we continue choosing love over fear, compassion over division, and community over isolation.

Looking Ahead: Affirmation Together 2026

While anniversaries invite us to reflect on the past, they also encourage us to look toward the future.

We are excited to announce Affirmation Together 2026, scheduled for October 16–17, 2026.

Together 2026 represents a new approach to community engagement. Rather than focusing solely on a traditional conference model, the event is being designed to strengthen local communities, increase accessibility, expand participation, and create opportunities for connection across regions.

The current vision includes:

• Regional gathering hubs
• Virtual participation opportunities
• Leadership development
• Chapter strengthening
• Community-building activities
• Global engagement

Our goal is simple: help more people find meaningful connection and belonging regardless of where they live.

As Affirmation grows internationally and prepares for its 50th anniversary, we believe the future of community-building requires both local relationships and global connections.

Together 2026 is one step in that journey.

Additional details, locations, speakers, and participation opportunities will be announced in the months ahead.

Looking Toward 50 Years

Next year, Affirmation will celebrate its 50th anniversary.

Milestone anniversaries provide an opportunity not only to celebrate achievements but also to consider the future we want to create together.

The needs of LGBTQIA+ individuals, families, friends, and allies continue to evolve. New generations are finding their voices. New leaders are emerging. New communities are forming around the world.

The work of creating safety, love, and hope is never finished.

As we prepare for this important milestone, we invite you to reflect on your own connection to Affirmation.

Perhaps you attended a conference that changed your life.

Perhaps you found friendship in an online community.

Perhaps you discovered support during a difficult moment.

Perhaps you helped someone else feel less alone.

Whatever your story may be, you are part of Affirmation’s history—and part of its future.

Continuing the Journey Together

The story of Affirmation has always been a story about people.

People willing to create community.

People willing to support one another.

People willing to believe that belonging is possible.

As we celebrate 49 years of service and look toward the future, we are grateful for everyone who continues to contribute their time, talents, compassion, and hope to this work.

Thank you for being part of the journey.

Together, we continue creating communities of safety, love, and hope for LGBTQIA+ individuals, families, friends, and allies throughout the world.

And as we prepare to enter our 50th year, we carry forward the message that has inspired so many in our community:

We stand together.

We raise our voices together.

We create belonging together.

And together, we continue the journey with hope.

All is well. All is well.