Posts
Our sexuality and our gender identities are blessings, not curses. If we allow ourselves to lean on Christ, He will support us, and with His support and guidance, we don’t have to take the hard way. We don’t have to do this on our own.
Affirmation is providing two workshops during the month of February. LGBT Mormons can join a virtual workshop on February 11 about reconciling your spirituality and sexuality. Parents can join a separate in-person workshop in Orem, Utah on February 22. Sign-up via emailing us at [email protected].
If opposing homosexuality on all levels is ultimately the right path in God’s eyes and I’m wrong, I risk having loved too deeply and trying too hard to be empathetic and I will be punished accordingly. If, however, equal rights for homosexuals is actually in line with Christ’s will and I didn’t help my fellowman—I risk causing pain, suicide, distancing people from God, and depriving other people of the things in life I love best.
It seems odd for us to apply the term “allies” to parents. In a normal world, every child simply assumes that their fiercest, most loving defenders are and will always be their parents. The term “parent” ought to be synonymous with “ally.” Unfortunately, we don’t necessarily live in a world where that can automatically be assumed. In the meantime, we are deeply grateful to parents who — sometimes quietly, sometimes boisterously — stand by our sides and let us know through action and through words that family matters, and that we are family.
While most media coverage on LGBT issues features those who identify as gay (and gay men at that!), there are many who identify elsewhere in the sexuality spectrum. According to some statistics, for example, bisexual and other non-monosexual persons comprise around 40 percent of the LGBT community. Yet, it seems bisexual+ persons are sometimes an afterthought when it comes to discussing LGBT experiences, issues and people. Perhaps it’s because many presume they can pick and choose to live a heterosexual lifestyle or they can join the gay community and essentially, be gay.
We respect the right of all people to tell their own story. However, it is vital to point out that these stories belong to the couples who own them in their personal lives and should never be used to manipulate others into false hope or dictated life choices.
Lee lo que han dicho algunos líderes de la Iglesia en el pasado sobre la inclusión y la diversidad en nuestras familias y congregaciones.
The annual voting for Affirmation President resulted in electing Randall Thacker as President for 2015. The election results were also ratified by the Affirmation Board of Directors as required by the organization’s by-laws.
As of January 1, 2015, former Senior Vice President, John Gustav-Wrathall, has joined the Affirmation Board of Directors and Randall Thacker has selected Todd Richardson to serve as his Senior Vice President and Kathy Carlston as the second Vice President.