2024 Affirmation International Conference

Livier opened her mouth for the first time when she was born in California and hasn’t been quiet since. While growing up, her parents taught her how to work hard and dream big. These wonderful values have helped her live in three different countries and travel to many other places around the world. Although she loves to travel, Livier always returns to the place she considers home: Mexico. Raised in a staunch Catholic family, Livier always believed in God. However, she struggled with and questioned several different doctrines until she met missionaries from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 2010. As she listened to what those Elders had to say, Livier felt like everything fell into place, not only in her mind but also in her heart. As the youngest of three children, Livier always admired her oldest sister and followed her steps to attend and graduate from Law School before being called to serve her mission in 2013 in the Mexico City Northwest Mission. Livier has always liked to challenge herself, which has guided her to every sort of activity, from belly dancing to riding a camel in the Sahara desert. Her passion for personal growth and her wandering, gypsy soul helped her decide to move to Salt Lake City, where she currently lives. She loves her calling as a primary teacher because it gives her the joy and challenge of learning the songs that, as a child, she did not have a chance to enjoy. Livier keeps herself busy, doing her best to stay in touch with her family and friends all across the globe. Furthermore, as a convert, she makes every day an effort to be a modern-day pioneer.

I am a Professor of Religion at Kalamazoo College and chair of the Religion department. I specialize in the study of Early Christianity, biblical studies, Mormonism, and gender studies. I received my ThD and MTS from Harvard Divinity School, and BA in Philosophy and Religion from Pace University. I am the editor-in-chief of Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought.

My earlier book Tabernacles of Clay: Sexuality and Gender in Modern Mormonism (UNC 2020) examines the tradition through the lens of the history of sexuality. The book received numerous starred reviews and the “Best Book” in 2020 award from the Mormon History Association. I am the co-editor of the Routledge Handbook of Mormonism and Gender (2020).

My most recent book Queering Kinship in the Mormon Cosmos (UNC 2024) reexamines and resignifies Mormon cosmology in the context of queer theory, offering a fresh perspective on divine relationships, gender fluidity, and the concept of kinship itself.

David Grew up in Southeastern Idaho in a strong Mormon family. David was very active in Scouting and the church. He served a mission on the Navajo Indian Reservation. He graduated from Ricks College and BYU. David was married for 28 years and has a wonderful daughter, son and daughter-in-law, and will become a grandpa later this year. David has spent his career working in positive youth development programs. He has served in the Fathers in Affirmation Leadership for many years. He also serves on a couple of State and National 4-H Access, Equity and Belonging committees and enjoys teaching youth and adults. David married his husband Ken in 2023 after being together for four years. They enjoy traveling and exploring the world around them and making new friends.

Laurie Lee Hall is a gender identity activist, author, and architect who has served in Affirmation leadership roles since 2017. Formerly the Chief Architect for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, a stake president, and a bishop, Laurie Lee is currently writing a memoir of her life experiences with gender, the church, and coming to live authentically. She and her partner, Nancy, share their lives together in love in Louisville, Kentucky. Her memoir, Dictates of Conscience: From Mormon High Priest to My New Life as a Woman, is available for pre-order now.

Joe Makston is a leadership development expert, founder of Ryppl Effect Consulting, and author of his memoir Creosote Rain: A carnival kids quest for home, family and belonging. With over 25 years of experience building and leading teams in the bank operations and Fintech sectors, Joe has a deep passion for empowering others through strategic coaching and leadership development. His journey, however, is more than just professional success. Once deeply involved as a pastor and leader in a conservative church community, Joe eventually came out as a gay man in his late 40s—a decision that led him to leave the church he had served for years. Now, Joe uses his unique blend of personal and professional experiences to help others navigate life’s transitions with authenticity, courage, and purpose. His work is dedicated to fostering environments where everyone can thrive, embrace their true self.

Nathan Kitchen (he/him) grew up in Orem, Utah. When he was 15, his family moved to Illinois where he finished high school. He served a full-time mission for the Church in Alabama, graduated with a B.S. in Zoology from BYU Provo, earned his Doctor of Dental Medicine from Southern Illinois University, and completed a general practice residency at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. He is currently in private practice in Mesa, Arizona. Nathan served two terms as president of Affirmation, from 2019 to 2022. He is the author of his upcoming memoir, The Boughs of Love—Navigating the Queer Latter-day Saint Experience During an Ongoing Restoration. He is the proud father of five children and three grandchildren and lives in Gilbert, Arizona with his husband Matthew Rivera.

Kate Mower (they/them) is a former Affirmation vice president and current Affirmation historian. They have a PhD in History from the University of California Riverside and hold a postdoctoral position at the University of Utah in the Queering STEM research fellowship program where they are funded to write their book on queering Romanian archaeology. They were a dual-country Fulbright research recipient in Bulgaria and Romania. When they aren’t writing or researching for work, they run the educational account @latterdaylez and participate in local and international activism. They reside in Riverton, Utah and Constanta, Romania.