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The 10 Most Read Affirmation Stories of 2022

by Joel McDonald

December 17, 2022

Significant within Affirmation’s mission is to promote understanding, acceptance, and self-determination of individuals of diverse sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions. This is accomplished in various ways, including the publication of stories or other articles on the Affirmation website, which are then shared widely via Affirmation Messenger, our e-newsletter, and social media.

Where do these stories come from?

While longtime readers may note that many of the stories are written by Affirmation leaders, all are invited to share their story or experience as an LGBTQIA+ current or former Latter-day Saint. To share a story, please visit the Submit an Article page.

Affirmation seeks to amplify the voices of those within the LGBTQIA+ community and of all along the spectrums of sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, faith, belief, and intersection with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

How are the most read stories of the year determined?

We use analytics to determine how many times an article on the Affirmation website has been viewed from January 1st to the date the “most read stories” article is written. For 2022, the end date is December 16th. Only articles published in 2022 were considered for this list. We also excluded articles written by Affirmation that were primarily informational, such as announcements about the International Conference, so that this list could focus more on stories, experiences and insights from and for the LGBTQIA+ Latter-day Saint community.

Because articles published earlier in the year have somewhat of an advantage in how many pageviews they get, this list isn’t intended to identify the best stories of the year or rate the quality of any article included or not included in the list. While not perfect, this list attempts to provide a summary of the year and what captured the interest of the Affirmation community.

The ten most-read stories of 2022.

10. Former Mormon Preserving History of Struggle for Gay Rights in Washington
by Martin Lee

We have to be strong in the face of opposition that seeks to place doubt and fear in the hearts of those succumbing to their lies. Facing those fears with kindness, patience, and full faith and confidence, the truth will eventually prevail. Read More.

9. Fear Not, I Am With Thee; Oh Be Not Dismayed!
by Nathan Kitchen

There is no room in the gentleness of Love for a Rameumptom, for ARE we not ALL sinners and all fall short of the Glory of God? In the end, it is the Love of God that will welcome each one of us home, and it is our bearing of His gentle Love that helps others along the way. We become one another’s angels. Read More.

8. There Is a Disconnect Between LDS Church’s Outreach and How It Treats Its Own Members
by Nathan Kitchen

Religious freedom strategies — such as supporting a bill to protect marriage equality in exchange for protections that allow internal LGBTQ discrimination — solve external issues for both the church and the LGBTQ community, but ignore the internal reality of LGBTQ Latter-day Saints within their spiritual home. Read More.

7. Remembering Paul Mortensen
by Olin Thomas

He felt firmly that you could be a Mormon without letting church leaders tell you how to do it or that you were on the wrong path. He was the original guru of understanding and accepting your own identity as a gay Mormon. He always understood the purpose of Affirmation wasn’t to shape anyone’s beliefs but to help them find their own faith- wherever that took them. Read More.

6. Queer Students at BYU Being Held to Invisible Standard
by Kate Mower

Since queer students are being disciplined for a rule that no longer exists, they are being discriminated against for doing things that abide by the Law of Chastity but aren’t explicit in the Honor Code any longer. Read More.

5. “If I may but touch…”
by Joel McDonald

I had found a measure of peace that told me that I was going to be okay. That who I was, who I am, is okay. While I have at times questioned this, I also feel that I have opened the door wide enough for the Lord to redirect me if that be His will. Hearing none, I have moved forward. Read More.

4. Why Would Our Heavenly Father do That to Anyone?
by Keith Burns

Considering the expansiveness of the divine, why would God not be able to exalt a same-sex couple who love and care for each other and yearn to be together forever? At the end of the day, isn’t God truly concerned about the person we have become? Read More.

3. I Weep: Church Education System Doubles Down on LGBTQ Issues
by Laurie Lee Hall

Now with the bright red line drawn defining “worthiness” as fully accepting, by way of testimony, all current church leader teachings on LGBTQ issues, even when such teachings have been constantly changing and even reversing (think PoX), I fear that many Queer persons trying to remain in the church, especially transgender members, will become even more marginalized lower-caste souls. Read More.

2. Why Same-Sex Sealings for Time is Logical Next Step for LDS Church
by Keith Burns

If Latter-day Saints can accept the idea that same-sex relationships can be just as beautiful and uplifting as heterosexual relationships, then the Church could fully affirm and even celebrate same-sex relationships without compromising what they claim to be eternal doctrines. Read More.

1. Unashamed Authenticity: UVU Humanities Symposium Presentation
by Nathan Kitchen

Affirmation President Nathan Kitchen presented at the Utah Valley University Humanities Symposium on February 17, 2022. The title of his presentation was “Unashamed Authenticity: Unapologetically Navigating the Queer/Latter-day Saint Intersection during an Ongoing Restoration.” Read More.

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