Affirmation
On July 28, 2017, an offer for the position of Executive Director was extended to and accepted by John Gustav-Wrathall. Gustav-Wrathall started in the position on August 12, 2017. Affirmation has already hired full-time webmasters for its Spanish- and Portuguese-language online content and web sites, and anticipates hiring an English language webmaster and an operations director or directors in coming months. These hires are needed in order to meet the needs of an organization that has experienced prodigious growth worldwide.
I remember entering the Metropolitan Church on Castro’s Eureka Street, where the Affirmation meeting was happening. A full battle was raging inside me. One side said, “Leave now!” and the other side said “Stay!” as I slowly walked up the stairs to the second floor.
There was a constant struggle between my mind and my heart. I felt desolate, like in that passage of the Bible: Tossed by every wave of the sea, without purpose or direction. Then Affirmation appeared in my life.
Responses showed significant emotional distress, dramatic loss of trust in Church leaders, and a dramatic decline in Church Activity as a result of the policy. Individual stories help us to understand where and how different LGBT Mormons find hope, and why discussion about the Church can be so polarizing.
Por Wendy Montgomery Traducción: Isra Flores Alvarez Estaba aterrorizada. Tenía que apretar las rodillas para que pudieran dejar de temblar. Estoy segura de que si se pusiera un micrófono a…
While the absence of stories from those who have left the Church—who comprise the vast majority of LGBTQ+ Mormons—is conspicuous and unfortunate, we welcome the positive development of an improved website, expansion of resources, and emphasis on exercising love through family acceptance, outreach, and listening. We hope this resource will more deeply foster awareness and meaningful conversation.
So much of what the Affirmation Conference is about is the face-to-face connections, hugs, conversations in the hall, shared meals, and just being with and seeing others who have some idea what we’re going through, because they have been there. But for those who were not able to join us live in Provo last weekend, here are links to videos of all the plenary sessions of the Affirmation conference, in English and Spanish!
Danny & I just gave an opening keynote to the largest audience to date (650 people!). It turns out it was one of the most amazing, holy, spiritual experiences of our entire lives. Preparing to speak there was some of the most important work we’ve ever done.
Affinity Sessions are a way for LGBTQIA+/SSA Mormons to gather for support and discussion with others who share a common identity and/or life experience. This year we are offering two…