Ensuring a safe and healthy community – Affirmation and COVID-19

Kate Williams kmw152 / CC0

Undoubtedly, you’ve been following the latest news, recommendations, and restrictions regarding COVID-19, also known as Coronavirus. This is an unprecedented situation in modern history, and the efforts to slow the spread of the virus demand unprecedented action by authorities at all levels of government, by businesses, and by non-profits, including Affirmation: LGBTQ Mormons, Families & Friends.

Affirmation’s international leadership has been following the progression and impact of the virus as well and have taken actions to be a part of the solution. We are directing regional and chapter leaders around the world to do the same.

• The planned strategic planning retreat in Salt Lake City for the Affirmation Board of Directors has been postponed and will be conducted virtually instead of in-person. This is a significant change and challenge, but we are confident that we will be able to conduct the important work planned for this retreat virtually, which includes the development of a new strategic plan for the organization that will guide us for the years ahead.
• The leadership of Affirmation’s regions and chapters around the world are directed to follow any local, state, or national recommendations and restrictions where they reside. This will limit, postpone, or adapt planned Affirmation activities. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the United States recommends avoiding gatherings of 10 or more. All should consider virtual gatherings instead. If you need assistance with planning a virtual gathering, please contact Joel McDonald, our Director of Operations, at [email protected].
• As our community has a Latter-day Saint background, many have a high level of preparedness in terms of food and supply storage. We also have a shared heritage of being charitable to those around us. If you’re able, please check on your neighbors and chapter members to see if there is a need that you may be able to meet.

We will continue to monitor the situation and are hopeful that the measures being taken to slow the spread of the virus will only have to be in place for a matter of weeks. However, being that this is a new and developing situation, we encourage all to be prepared for the possibility of these measures being in place longer. For more information on how to help slow the spread of the virus and protect yourself and those you love, please visit the CDC’s website.

In times like these, community is so important. We know that there may be many in our community feeling anxious and isolated right now. We are blessed to be living in a time where we can continue to connect with others through various technological channels and that includes connecting with the Affirmation Community. We have Facebook groups for general discussion, connecting with others on similar faith journeys, and groups to connect with others in your region and chapter. If you’re unsure how to find these groups, please contact us and we’ll be happy to help get you connected.

Finally, we want to express our love for you and pray that the Lord will indeed visit all of us in our time of affliction. We hope and pray for your health and safety at this difficult time. We are always here for you.

Affirmation: LGBTQ Mormons, Families & Friends Executive Committee and Director of Operations

Nathan Kitchen, President
Laurie Lee Hall, Senior Vice President
Jairo Fernando González Díaz, Vice President
Joel McDonald, Director of Operations