Alyson Bolles

Editorial: Sharing a Global Experience

By Alyson Bolles, Senior Assistant Director

June's Affirmation Women's Retreat was a success, and there are already plans in the works for a First Annual Affirmation Women's Retreat next May. Please plan to come, and tell all your friends! With feedback from this year's retreat, and the fact that we expect higher attendance next year; the next retreat, will be more structured with workshops on spirituality, healing from abuse, history of Lesbian Mormons, and other topics. There will also be plenty of time to have fun and get to know one another. Menucha Retreat Center, where we met this year, proved to be the perfect setting. It is in a beautiful National Scenic Area, has almost brand-new accommodations, and is moderately priced. With higher attendance next year, the price will be lower.

There was a lot of great discussion at the retreat. And hearing each other's stories was one of my favorite things about the weekend. The circumstances we find ourselves in as Mormon Lesbians never cease to amaze me.

I have heard from women this year from all over the globe. I've also spent much more time this year thinking about what it means to be Lesbian and Mormon as a result of my conversations with these women. I've found messages in my inbox from Lesbian Mormons in Ecuador, Egypt, Canada, Brazil, Florida, Great Britain, and New Mexico, to name a few places. From married, to college student, to jobless and newly divorced with sole responsibility of 5 children. the list goes on. I wish there were more opportunities to share our global experience. Mormon culture is truly worldwide. There are little dykes being born into Mormon families everywhere. I hope that, as time goes on, we will be more visible to those coming out and seeking support.

I am grateful to be part of Affirmation and believe whole-heartedly that we make a difference. We are truly living in historic times, and many decisions that will affect those coming out behind us will be decided in the near future. I hope that our message of affirming GLBTQI people of religious heritage will give more people the courage to stand up for equal rights and help put an end to discrimination. I've read heartening things from regular everyday Mormons. There are families who are an integral part of the church who do support us. They do so because they know one or more of us are taking a higher ground than being taught in presently in the Church. Our presence is important.

Supporting and being a part of Affirmation does make a difference. I know because I speak often to those new to the family of Affirmation. I look forward to putting some faces to those emails at the Annual Conference in October!


Zion by the Bay: Guy Berryessa and Trey Lathe to Present on Family Issues

Guy and Trey at their wedding, with daughter Emma

Legal husbands to each other and proud parents of their adopted daughter Emma, Guy Berryessa and Trey Lathe will present two workshops at the 2004 Affirmation annual conference, to be held in San Francisco October 8-10.

The first workshop, "Building Our Families," will be a presentation on methods and issues around creating GLBT families through adoption, surrogacy, or donor insemination. The second workshop, "Passing On Our Faith Stories," will be a presentation about how we as gay Mormons and former Mormons pass on what we have learned from our own journeys in faith to our children and others.

Guy and Trey met in college (Brigham Young University) in the early '80s, where they both belonged to a Peace and Human Rights club on campus. In 1996, as Trey was giving a talk at the Sunstone Symposium in Salt Lake City, they reconnected. They felt a strong bond, and it wasn't long before they realized they were soul mates. They had their commitment celebration on December 20, 1997, and were married on February 15, 2004. Trey and Guy's adorable daughter Emma Marie was born in Washington state. She came to their family in April 2002 (at 1 week old).


Need Help to Attend the Conference?
Irwin Phelps Scholarships Are Available

The Irwin Phelps Fund provides assistance to Affirmation members who would like to attend the conference but may find it to be a financial burden.

Irwin Phelps was the executive Director of Affirmation in 1992. His calm and compassionate leadership carried Affirmation through a time of great turmoil. Shortly after the 1992 Conference, he was murdered in his home in Phoenix. The Irwin Phelps fund was established in his memory.

Assistance generally takes the form of a 50% reduction in conference registration fees. To apply for this scholarship, with your name, address, contact information, and reason for your request (examples: student, underemployed, retired with limited income, etc.). Send the email to executive_committeeaffirmation.org. If applicable, please state what Affirmation chapter you belong to.

Scholarships are awarded on the basis of financial need and contributions to Affirmation, such as activity or willingness to volunteer for service. Funds are limited and scholarships will be awarded on a "first-come, first-served" basis. You will be notified of award or declined. If awarded a scholarship, you must submit the regular registration form. Simply note "Irwin Phelps Scholarship" on your form and pay the reduced amount.


Executive Committee Meets in Long Beach

by Olin Thomas

James Morris, Olin Thomas, Mike Miner, and Alyson Bolles at the Long Beach meeting

The Executive Committee of Affirmation: Gay & Lesbian Mormons held leadership meetings July 23-25, 2004 at the home of Affirmation Treasurer Mike Miner in Long Beach, CA. The daily affairs of Affirmation are managed by this committee, which consists of an elected Executive Director and two appointed assistant directors. They are assisted by the Treasurer and Affinity Editor/Associate Director.

Executive Committee meetings are open to all Affirmation members interested in filling leadership or service positions in the organization. Meetings are held in various cities on a rotating basis and each weekend includes at least one event to allow local Affirmation members to mingle with the executive committee and exchange ideas. If you wish to know the date and location of a future meeting, or to receive a more detailed report on the meeting, at: executive_committeeaffirmation.org.

The annual General Business Meeting will be held a the beginning of our Annual Conference on October 7 from 2:00-4:00 pm. Representatives from each chapter or region are highly encouraged to attend the business meeting. An agenda for the meeting will be announced at a later date.


Transitions: Eric Brodin

We regret to announce the passing of our friend Eric Brodin, who died July 10, 2004. Eric had a heart attack while swimming in the Atlantic Ocean during a vacation with friends. He was active in Affirmation and three months ago participated in our conference in Mexico City.

Eric lived in Buies Creek, North Carolina. He is survived by a sister and their extended family in Sweden.


Confessions to Play in New York, Salt Lake

With a gay Mormon theme, Steven Fales's show Confessions of a Mormon Boy will play in August and September at the prestigious New York International Fringe Festival. On September 23 the play will return to Salt Lake City, where it it scheduled to run through October 3. We congratulate Steve on his success! For more information, go to <mormonboy.com>.