2024 Affirmation International Conference
Conference Summary
The 2024 Affirmation International Conference was held October 11th - 13th at the Ogden Eccles Conference Center in Ogden, Utah. This was the first time the conference was held in Ogden. The theme of the conference was "Joyfully Authentic."
Friday, October 11th, included a meeting of the Affirmation Board of Directors and a Community Leaders Meeting. Board members and leaders unable to attend the conference in person could attend both of these meetings virtually. The opening plenary that evening began with an introduction and remarks from Joel McDonald, senior vice president, and keynotes from Liv Mendoza Haynes and Eli McCaan.
Saturday, October 12th, included nine breakout sessions, a plenary, and screening of the film, A Long Way From Heaven: The Rainbow Y Story. The plenary opened with announcements, a financial report, and remarks from Fred Bowers, president, and keynotes from Taylor Petrey and Laurie Lee Hall. The day concluded with a dinner and Authentically YOU dance with music and ligtening provided by a professional DJ.
Sunday October 13th, featured a plenary session opened with remarks from David Doyle, vice president, the presentation of the 2024 Affirmation Mortensen Award to Nathan Kitchen by Olin Thomas, Mortsensen community chair, and Laurie Lee Hall, 2023 winner. Nathan Kitchen provided a keynote. An opportunity was all to share with one another was provided. The conference concluded with all joining hands and singing, God Be with You 'Till We Meet Again.
All plenaries and select breakout sessions were available to virtual attendance in English and Spanish. All sessions provided virtually were recorded and are available to view.
Affirmation Executive Committee
Affirmation Board of Directors
Conference Planning Committee
Special Thanks To
...and the many, many volunteers, presenters, and panelists who made this conference possible.
Keynotes and Breakout Sessions
Liv Mendoza Haynes, Keynote
Eli McCann, Keynote
Kate Mower and Jessica Brieman, Queering Mormon History
David Matheson, Escaping the Toxic Trinity: Religious Demands, Self-repression, and Conversion Therapy
David Widdison, Spiritual Connections
Lacey Bagley, Dating and Partnering as a Queer Mormon
Lisa Knapp, Asexual/Aromantic Affinity Group
David Widdison, Fathers in Affirmation Affinity Group
Taylor Petrey, Keynote
Laurie Lee Hall, Keynote
Joe Makston, Coming Out after 40: How to Lose Friends, but Find Yourself
Olin Thomas, Affirmation Pioneers and Alumni Affinity Group
Samuel Tew, Affirmation Prepare Affinity Group
Nathan Kitchen, Keynote
Plenary Recordings
Friday Plenary of the 2024 Affirmation International Conference featuring introductory remarks from Joel McDonald and keynote talks from Liv Mendoza Haynes and Eli McCann. The 2024 Affirmation International Conference was…
Saturday Plenary of the 2024 Affirmation International Conference featuring introductory remarks and a financial report from Fred Bowers and keynote talks from Taylor Petrey and Laurie Lee Hall. The 2024…
Sunday Plenary of the 2024 Affirmation International Conference featuring introductory remarks from David Doyle, the presentation of the 2024 Affirmation Mortensen Award, remembrance of those we’ve lost, and a keynote…
Speaker & Session Recordings
Remarks from Joel McDonald, Affirmation senior vice president, during the 2024 Affirmation International Conference. The 2024 Affirmation International Conference was held October 11-13, 2024, at the Ogden Eccles Conference Center…
Keynote from Liv Mendoza Haynes, a modern-day Queer pioneer, during the 2024 Affirmation International Conference. The 2024 Affirmation International Conference was held October 11-13, 2024, at the Ogden Eccles Conference…
Remarks from David Doyle, Affirmation vice president, during the 2024 Affirmation International Conference. The 2024 Affirmation International Conference was held October 11-13, 2024, at the Ogden Eccles Conference Center in…
Nathan Kitchen, former president of Affirmation and author of The Boughs of Love: Navigating the Queer Latter-day Saint Experience During an Ongoing Restoration, is the recipient of the 2024 Affirmation Mortensen Award. The award winner was announced at the 2024 Affirmation International Conference in Ogden, Utah. Laurie Lee Hall, 2023 winner, presented the award. Other nominees included Wesley Acastre and Joel McDonald.
