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New Leadership in the Affirmation Pacific Region

April 20, 2021

Affirmation Pacific Region

Affirmation is pleased to announce the appointment of the Affirmation Pacific Region leadership team. We thank these leaders for volunteering their time and talents to create communities of safety, love, and hope for LGBTQIA+ Latter-day Saints and their families and friends.

The Affirmation Pacific Region includes the Portland, Bay Area, Los Angeles, Seattle, and Hawaii chapters of Affirmation.

Ron Chand (President) realized through personal trials the power each individual holds in their life. Growing up in Fiji and being a gay South Asian Polynesian was a challenging experience for Ron, but it was an experience that led him to accept and truly love himself. Ron converted to the Church at the age of 25 and served a mission in Australia. he attended Brigham Young University – Hawaii and is now working on his master’s degree at Utah Valley University. Ron was the founding president of the current Affirmation Hawaii Chapter.

Vinnie Jones (Vice President) is continuing her service as vice president. Vinnie is originally from Maine and was raised a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Currently living in San Francisco, Vinnie is a professional dancer and choreographer specializing in contemporary ballet work at Menlowe Ballet and Trivial Motion Dance. She also co-founded the em(body) dance project, a company committed to representing diverse human experiences including women and queer people.

Affirmation is grateful for the service of Sarah Bowers as president of the Affirmation Pacific Region and as a coordinator of the Affirmation Los Angeles Chapter. Sarah was instrumental in reconnecting with members of the Affirmation community in the Pacific Region and organizing or re-organizing chapters  We wish her the very best in her future pursuits.

Affirmation’s Mission and Vision

Mission: Affirmation creates worldwide communities of safety, love, and hope and promotes understanding, acceptance, and self-determination of individuals of diverse sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions. We affirm the inherent self-worth of LGBTQIA+ individuals as complete, equal, and valuable persons and support them as they define their individual spirituality and intersection with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Vision: To be a refuge to land, heal, share, and be authentic.

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