Joel McDonald

2022 International Conference Theme and Logo Contest

April 28, 2022 |

We’re pleased to announce the theme for our 2022 Affirmation International Conference: Rooted in Love. Graphic designers are invited to participate in a conference logo design contest. Design submissions are due by May 15th.

A New Virtual Event for the LGBTQIA+ Latter-day Saint Community

March 21, 2022 |

Affirmation Connections is a virtual summit that I hope will become a new annual tradition for Affirmation. This is a one-day virtual event being hosted on April 23, 2022, with seven sessions throughout the day to inform, uplift, and empower LGBTQIA+ current and former Latter-day Saints and their families and friends around the world.

The 10 Most Read Stories of 2021

The 10 Most Read Stories of 2021

December 30, 2021 |

Here are the top 10 most-read stories from Affirmation published in 2021. Stories published on the Affirmation website are from, for, or about the LGBTQIA+ Latter-day Saint community around the world.

2019 Reading Pride

Affirmation Prepares for Pride as US Covid-19 Vaccine Adoption Increases

May 21, 2021 |

With the number of individuals in the US getting vaccinated increasing and the number of COVID-19 cases decreasing, Pride organizers are looking forward to bringing the LGBTQIA+ community together in person again. In many places, Affirmation will be there.

Utah Capitol Building

Utah Supreme Court Affirms Right of Transgender Individuals to Update Their Sex

May 7, 2021 |

The Utah Supreme Court issued an opinion affirming the right of transgender individuals to update their sex on legal documentation. The opinion states, “A person has a common-law right to change facets of their personal legal status, including their sex designation.”

2021 Affirmation International Conference Lighting the World Together

2021 International Conference Theme and Logo Contest

April 8, 2021 |

We’re pleased to announce the theme for our 2021 Affirmation International Conference: Lighting the World Together. Graphic designers are invited to participate in a conference logo design contest.

Top 10 Stories of 2020

Top 10 Most-Read Stories from Affirmation for 2020

December 31, 2020 |

Here are the top 10 most-read stories from Affirmation published in 2020. Stories published on the Affirmation website are from, for, or about the LGBTQIA+ Latter-day Saint community around the world.

Joel McDonald Okinawa Japan ca 2000

Schitt’s Creek, Dan, Decoys, and David

December 21, 2020 |

We become decoys of ourselves to hide from our families, communities, and society where direct and indirect messages are sent that tell us that we are not normal. That we are others. That we don’t belong. There is pain in that hiding. There is a loss of healthy, natural developmental experiences. There is a loss of time to live authentically.

Russell M Nelson GiveThanks

LGBTQIA+ Latter-day Saint Community #GiveThanks

November 22, 2020 |

There’s no doubt in my mind that pausing amid our daily activity to take note of what we have in our lives right now helps to calm and center us and renews our appreciation for what we might take for granted. Whether you share your gratitude for the world to see on social media or just silently count the blessings in your life, I hope you do find the healing power of gratitude as we begin the holiday season.