 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
by Olin Thomas It's a cliché, but it is hard to believe a whole year has gone by since I became executive director of Affirmation. As we are all busy with family and various social obligations during the holiday season, I suggested to Hugo that we have a simple Affinity for December. I wish to reflect on the events of the year just past, and to extend the warmest of the season's greetings to all Affirmation members, their friends, families, and neighbors. This has been a good year for Affirmation, in most ways. The only disappointment worth noting was in regards to our website automation project, which has hit further technical difficulties. However, we will overcome those problems and bring you a higher level of online service. We want to bring Affirmation personal ads, an improved guest book, member directories, and online registration for conference and membership. The good news this year is that Affirmation is moving in the right direction. Our membership is growing internationally, especially in Latin America. The first major event held outside the United States took place over Easter weekend in Mexico City, where almost forty people participated in an event much like our annual Conference. During February, several Affirmation members attended a now infamous event at the Washington D.C. Temple Visitor's Center during which Sheri Dew gave a very homophobic talk. Through Affirmation's efforts, enormous media attention was brought to bear on the backward attitude toward gays and gay marriage held by many who speak on behalf of the Mormon Church. In June, the first annual Women's Retreat was held in Oregon. Just before General Conference, Affirmation lent its support to a small group of concerned straight, loyal Mormons who had organized an event called the Safe Space Campaign, in support of gays and lesbians in the Church. It is wonderful to see support coming, unbidden, from our straight brothers and sisters. October was such a banner month. Not only was there the Safe Space Campaign, but the 2005 Conference Committee brought to us what may have been the most magnificent Conference we have ever had. We heard from fantastic speakers such as Kate Kendall, Alice Hoglan, Emily Pearson, and others. The banquet on Saturday was the most elaborate and entertaining I can recall. Also, the Affirmation Writing Contest attracted a large number of high caliber submissions. Later in October, PFLAG held their Conference in the heart of Mormondom--Salt Lake City. Affirmation was represented by our Senior Assistant Director and many loyal members, such as Mike Green, Ron Schow, Russ Gorringe, and others. Our friends carried to Utah a message of love and support for gay and lesbian family members that was hard to ignore. My thanks to all those who worked on these events and all of the many chapter activities that took place as well. Best wishes for a gay holiday season! Olin Thomas to Serve One More Year as Affirmation's Executive Director Other Members of the Executive Committee Will Also Stay By Jason Clark
"There were 94 ballots sent in and Olin Thomas received 100% of the votes," wrote Paul Mortensen. "So congratulations to you, Olin, for this very big show of support." Alyson Bolles and James Morris have agreed to serve one more year as assistant directors. Mike Miner and Hugo Salinas have agreed to serve one more year as treasurer and associate director, respectively. We encourage all Affirmation members to consider accepting leadership positions, thus helping advance Affirmation's important mission. If you are an Affirmation member and would like to donate some of your time and talents for a good cause, please (wot3  aol.com).
Affirmation: Gay and Lesbian Mormons P.O. Box 46022 Los Angeles, CA 90046 National Phone Line: (323) 255-7251 To see a directory of current Affirmation chapters, visit www.affirmation.org/chapters Executive Director: Olin Thomas AFFIRMATION GAY & LESBIAN MORMONS is a non-profit support group serving
Gay and Lesbian Mormons, their families and friends since 1977. AFFINITY
is the official publication of the Affirmation National Executive Committee.
About AFFINITY and E-AFFINITY AFFINITY is available both as an email text and as a web-based document. Although both versions are free of charge, we encourage you to become a dues-paying member and thus help us advance Affirmation's important mission. If you wish to receive a text version of AFFINITY by email, simply
|
www.affirmation.org
Top Site Map Contact Us Disclaimer Privacy Policy Terms of Use