{"id":10139,"date":"2016-12-12T11:38:43","date_gmt":"2016-12-12T18:38:43","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/affirmation.org\/?p=10139"},"modified":"2021-10-03T09:53:10","modified_gmt":"2021-10-03T15:53:10","slug":"why-affirmation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/affirmation.org\/pt\/porque-afirmacao\/","title":{"rendered":"Por que afirma\u00e7\u00e3o?"},"content":{"rendered":"

As 2016 \u2014 a difficult year for LGBT Mormons \u2014 draws to a close, we reached out to LGBT Mormons, their families and friends, and asked them what Affirmation has meant to them. They told stories of lives changed, hearts opened, families strengthened and faith renewed. Here are some of their statements and stories.<\/em><\/p>\n

\"lottie_and_friends\"<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

Affirmation is important simply for the community aspect- especially when it comes to the youth. A lot of us struggle with the church’s influence on our lives, even those of us who have left. But getting to know other kids who are going through the same thing, and being able to help them and receive help from them, lessens the burden quite a bit.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2014 Lottie Ann Roberts<\/span><\/p>\n

\"kayden\"<\/a><\/p>\n

After coming out as gay and losing my sense of safety in the church, discovering Affirmation for me was like the moment the ugly duckling realizes he is really a swan. It became my new safe haven: a place where I always felt love and belonging, regardless of how I lived my life. As a teenager, having a community from which I always felt unconditional love was essential for me in order to grow and learn to love myself.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2014 Kayden Maxwell<\/span><\/p>\n

\"humberto_y_amigos\"<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

There was a constant struggle between my mind and my heart until I decided to talk about my situation, following which came a much harder struggle, because of the scrutiny and misinformation on the part of some leaders. After some time I decided that if I wanted to be in peace, free from rejection, I had to withdraw from the Church that had formed my core values. I felt desolate, like in that passage of the Bible: Tossed by every wave of the sea, without purpose or direction.<\/span><\/p>\n

I remember asking in prayer to the Father for comfort and courage to continue living. But above all I wanted to continue to feel his love for me. And so many years passed.<\/span><\/p>\n

The first time I heard there was an organization that helped people like me I could not believe it. Until that moment he did not know its name. I prayed to the Father and asked with great fervor to guide me to the right people to reach that organization. Affirmation appeared. When I went to my first Affirmation activity, on the way I was thinking: “Will they treat me well? Will they treat me warmly? Will I feel the same feelings I felt when I first encountered the Church?<\/span><\/p>\n

When I arrived at the meeting I remember that I extended my hand and received a strong hug from an Affirmation leader. And at that moment I felt that I had found what had been missing in my life.<\/span><\/p>\n

A miracle had happened in my life! God is real, he listens to me, he loves me and he wants me to be close to Him. No matter what others say about us, God loves us all the more because He knows the goodness of our hearts.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2014 Humberto Chiu Wong<\/p>\n

\"group_hug\"<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

Affirmation is amazing! We took our 15 year old gay son to his first conference last September. He participated in the youth track and had an incredible experience. Within an hour, he went from not knowing anyone to feeling fully embraced and having one of the best experiences of his life.\u00a0 <\/span>Every adult mentor working with the youth was so committed and full of love. Seeing the pure joy in Austin\u2019s face as he interacted with other teens who could perfectly relate to the experience of trying to navigate the path of both growing up Mormon and being LGBT was something I\u2019ll never forget. We could not have found this kind of experience anywhere else for him. Meanwhile my husband and I were soaking up every moment in the workshops for parents. Having a chance to meet and share similar experiences with other parents confirmed in so many ways the decisions we had made in supporting our son. There was such a feeling of love all weekend, it was hard to leave. Attending Affirmation had immediate positive benefits for our family. We can\u2019t wait to go back next year.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2014 Laura Webb<\/span><\/p>\n

\"paz\"<\/a><\/p>\n

It was March 13, 2015, that I dared to write Randall Thacker, to ask questions about the Affirmation Conference that would be held in Chile in May 2015. I did not have much hope of a response. However only one day later\u00a0I received a beautiful response.<\/p>\n

From that day, my life has been most blessed, thanks to Affirmation, by being able to attend the conference, participate\u00a0in the activities, talk with other sisters and brothers\u00a0who felt the same as me, to feel that they had experienced\u00a0the same hardships and pains that I had in the process coming to accept myself.<\/p>\n

I went several years without attending church. However Affirmation gave me the tools to decide for myself, and make the determination to return to the Church. It is already my 41st week attending every Sunday and participating in the activities of the Church, I stopped thinking about what I can not do in service in the Church, but in what I can do and I do it with all my heart.<\/p>\n

I have also had the opportunity to serve in the presidency of Affirmation Chile and doing so has brought me great joy.<\/p>\n

In conjunction with Affirmation I had the blessing to attend the International Conference in Provo in 2015, and to see and feel how great the task is, how great the service, the welcome, the benefit of\u00a0Affirmation!<\/p>\n

While in Chile and throughout Latin America we do not have as many members as in the US, still\u00a0I feel that the foundation is being laid for the future, for those who will come, because Heavenly Father loves us, and we will never be\u00a0alone!<\/p>\n

Thank you for the blessing of Affirmation in my life!<\/p>\n

\u2014 Carmen Paz<\/span><\/p>\n

\"james\"<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

I remember my\u00a0first Affirmation meeting\u00a0in May 1988.\u00a0 I was surrounded by 31 gay and lesbian Mormons, and finally realized that I wasn’t the only gay Mormon on the planet.\u00a0 Affirmation literally saved my life. They loved and accepted me as I am, and let me come to my own conclusions of what it meant for me to be\u00a0 Mormon and gay. Since then, I have been paying it forward to future\u00a0generations of gay and lesbian Mormons.<\/p>\n

\u2014 James Kent<\/span><\/p>\n

\"emmett2\"<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

At the beginning of my transition, I felt so alone. Then I was introduced to Affirmation, and it has given me so much hope and strength to keep going – knowing there are others just like me.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2014 Emmett C. Michael<\/span><\/p>\n

\"justin\"<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

Inside of Affirmation you will find all kinds of people; that’s what makes us strong. From faithful same-sex attracted members of the church to the most radical thinkers I’ve ever met, all people work together to make a beautiful community that is capable of much more than we are apart.<\/span><\/p>\n

Affirmation helped me, and helps hundreds of others. Affirmation is not interested in numbers, they aren’t interested in statistics, they’re interested in people. Affirmation and the people within have loved and supported me when I wasn’t able to do so myself. I owe so much to Affirmation, not the least of which is my life.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2014 Justin Marks<\/span><\/p>\n

\"brianna2\"<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

Without Affirmation, I wouldn’t know a lot of the people I now consider friends.<\/p>\n

\u2014 Brianna Cluck<\/span><\/p>\n

\"augustus\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Affirmation is the community that saved me and my relationship with my parents. Finding people like me that understood me was a life changer.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2014 Augustus Crosby<\/span><\/p>\n

\"kenna_and_friends\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Attending affirmation my first year as a newly-out, unsure 15 year old was one of the best decisions I’ve made. I am so grateful for this loving community that has become my family.<\/p>\n

\u2014 Kenna Delton<\/span><\/p>\n

\"adryan\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Since I found Affirmation\u00a0in 1998, I was able to understand that I was not the only person in the gay Mormon world, but because of the absence of social networks, I had only found friends in the U.S. I went on a\u00a0mission, and after a long journey through the world, Affirmation\u00a0rescued me.<\/p>\n

I felt that I would finally have a space to be myself, and not to be ashamed to speak of God. I could stop being afraid to express that I am gay and a believer in\u00a0God\u00a0and in\u00a0Jesus Christ. Thanks to this space, I stopped the self-destructive behavior that had been\u00a0common in the gay world. Today Affirmation has helped me to find\u00a0ways of living and thinking, but it has surrounded me with hundreds of people who are examples to me, who have\u00a0given me tools for life, and\u00a0taught me to be a better human being.<\/p>\n

Before I had created a hidden life, secret and separated from my family where a few knew I was gay. But now, my whole family including extended \u200bcousins, know me as I am and continue to express the same affection as always. That is a blessing without price.<\/p>\n

Affirmation has given me the spiritual freedom that Jesus spoke of when he was on earth and of the Light that the Prophet Joseph Smith taught\u00a0us\u00a0we could achieve. I know that I still have a long way to go, and I am willing to continue walking here, on this path. Thank you, Affirmation.<\/p>\n

\u2014 Adri\u00e1n S\u00e1nchez Roman<\/span><\/p>\n

\"christian2\"<\/a><\/p>\n

For me, Affirmation was the first space where I felt at ease connecting with other queer folks. Though I’m no longer in the same place with regards to the church, it was important to me at first to interact with people who were still involved in their wards while pursuing same-sex relationships or expressing their true gender. Affirmation has been a space that empowered me to make peace with God and then actually grow and evolve spiritually and personally after a period of spiritual and personal stagnation.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2014 Christian Jacob Frandsen<\/span><\/p>\n

\"roxana2\"<\/a><\/p>\n

My testimony has kept me secure in what I hope for. \u00a0Knowing the Church has been a blessing in my existence because I found the ideal tool to be true to my feelings. In all these years I have learned that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is for all people and Affirmation gave me the ideal place to work and fulfill\u00a0the reason I came into this world. I am in\u00a0the service of my neighbor and it will be a true\u00a0privilege to serve always without putting a time limit on my service. It is also how I helped myself to grow and move forward because while I helped others, I helped myself.<\/p>\n

Some people have called me rebellious.\u00a0\u00a0The Lord knows me and knows the intention of my heart. I have learned to encourage others not to give up on life. I love the Gospel of Jesus Christ and work on affirming Mormon LGBT families and friends because that\u00a0is where the Lord\u00a0wants me.<\/p>\n

\u2014 Roxana Lopez<\/span><\/p>\n

\"montgomerys\"<\/a><\/p>\n

In 2012 I was a parent of an LGBT youth just discovering his sexual orientation. As the defined lifeplan of Mormonism shattered around him, we were terrified of everything we didn’t know. We were left to our stereotypes because we really didn’t know any gay people. We lived in our sheltered Mormon community and shared the community’s bias against LGBT people.<\/span><\/p>\n

Our first Affirmation conference was a revelation. We met some of the most wonderful people. From everyday common people as normal as the next person to truly extraordinary people. Spiritual giants and people of integrity. <\/span><\/p>\n

It was at that time that my fears melted away. My son’s life would not be the cookie cutter Mormon life, but in many ways it would be far more extraordinary. Knowing the Affirmation community is the difference.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2014 Thomas Palani Montgomery<\/span><\/p>\n

\"isra\"<\/a><\/p>\n

I was born on October 23, 1984, in a home that was a bit religious and rigid. Since childhood I knew that my feelings were different.\u00a0<\/span>After an adolescence filled with fears and insecurities, the Lord gave me two wonderful blessings, the first of which was to know through the missionaries the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which taught me\u00a0the Truths of God, as well as entering an environment where I came to feel accepted, where I could break out of the bubble in which I lived. The second blessing was to know Affirmation, since through\u00a0Affirmation I understood that our Heavenly Father’s love is not limited to a few, but\u00a0is for everyone regardless of anything.<\/span><\/p>\n

From that encounter with Affirmation folks I began a path of discovery and acceptance of\u00a0myself, and as well had the opportunity to surround myself with other people who share with me my faith and many more things.<\/span><\/p>\n

I am grateful to have received the strength to open up\u00a0with the people who love me, such as\u00a0my family and friends, in whom\u00a0I saw the fulfillment of the promise: Families are Eternal. The love of my mother, my brothers and nephews has greatly strengthened me, as well as that of all my Affirmation friends and the Church, who are my second family.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Gospel of Jesus Christ teaches us that we should love our neighbor as ourselves, that we should all be respectful of what each person thinks and lives, in all aspects of life, as part of the moral agency\u00a0that is given to man by Our Heavenly Father.<\/span><\/p>\n

I know that our Heavenly Father loves us and does not deny us anything, for we are His children, and He desires the best for us, I know that Affirmation exists to help us understand that we are equal in the sight of God and that we are entitled to the same Blessings that all our brothers and sisters, I know we are instruments in their hands to provide comfort and joy to those who need it so that they can shine the light that is in them \u2026<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2014 Israel Flores Alvarez<\/span><\/p>\n

\"dominican_republic\"<\/a><\/p>\n

For me Affirmation has become a Faith strenghening Column! 4 years ago I was struggling with my Faith and Mormon beliefs as I could not understand why the Church I have given my best years and youth to in service was not welcoming anymore as they learned my sexual orientation was different from\u00a0what they had thought. I suffered discrimination\u00a0or was viewed with apathy and was no longer treated with the same love and friendship I was used to for many years. I learned about Affirmation online and contacted Randall Thacker who then helped me with all info I needed about Affirmation. I then started to organize meetings here [in the Dominican Republic] and followed all Affirmation media news and articles, and shared it with many other friends. We then created the First Dominican Chapter for Affirmation. Affirmation is\u00a0the greatest Blessing in my life and it is blessing many others as I and many others find it as a place to reconcile our beliefs and find hope and spiritual strength.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2014 John Rodriguez<\/span><\/p>\n

\"braxton\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Affirmation saved me. In a place where I felt so alone and worthless, Affirmation welcomed me in and embraced me just as I was. It is my home and my family.<\/p>\n

\u2014 Braxton Barham<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Havia uma luta constante entre minha mente e meu cora\u00e7\u00e3o. Eu me senti desolado, como naquela passagem da B\u00edblia: Jogado por todas as ondas do mar, sem prop\u00f3sito e sem dire\u00e7\u00e3o. Ent\u00e3o a Afirma\u00e7\u00e3o apareceu em minha vida.<\/p>","protected":false},"author":25,"featured_media":16565,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_piecal_is_recurring":false,"_piecal_recurring_interval":1,"_piecal_recurring_frequency":"","_piecal_recurring_exact_position":false,"_piecal_recurring_end":"","_piecal_color":"","_piecal_text_color":"","_piecal_global_color_master":false,"_piecal_rsets":"[]","_piecal_is_event":false,"_piecal_start_date":"","_piecal_end_date":"","_piecal_is_allday":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1849],"tags":[93,18,21,142,859,45,13,27],"newsletters":[],"class_list":["post-10139","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog","tag-affirmation","tag-church","tag-community","tag-friends","tag-lgbt-mormon-stories","tag-love","tag-spirituality","tag-support"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nWhy Affirmation?<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/affirmation.org\/pt\/porque-afirmacao\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"pt_BR\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Why Affirmation?\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"There was a constant struggle between my mind and my heart. 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