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Editorial: The Word of Wisdom: Something I Can Believe In By James Morris, Assistant Director I've had more than my share of Calistoga for this lifetime. That humble beverage of carbonated water tastes slightly more exciting when you ask the bartender to put a lime in it, but back in the 80's, when I was first deciding to dive headlong into the gay scene there were few other choices. That is, if you were avoiding alcohol and sugar. And for meeting gay men there seemed to be few other places than bars. Bars--dark, smoked-filled, loud, crowded and sometimes populated with inebriates not half as entertaining as they thought they were. OK, not my ideal location for finding Mr. Right. But, as I sipped my fizzy water, I had plenty of time to think about which values from my Mormon background I would keep packed for my new journey and which were unnecessary baggage. For me, holding onto the ideals expressed in the Word of Wisdom was never really called into question. I could see no reason to take on addictions and habits that were to me unappealing, potentially costly, and injurious to my health. I liked the simplicity of it. It's easy to know what things you are taking into your body, not so simple to know if you are being fair and honest with your fellow beings. It's one thing to control what you consume, another to control your temper. And also knowing I had no power over my chromosomal composition, it was comforting to know that at least I might be able to avert certain ailments or even dire health consequences with the right diet. One uncle (that I was aware of) had succumbed to alcoholism, and diabetics were part of the family profile. I know as a child that somehow the very nature of certain things got played up as evil, as if just being in proximity to them could mean impending doom. I'm sure I was cautioned to avoid all people who violated the health code we held sacred. But now these people were no longer fearsome strangers but friends. Many I knew to be good people. And it was important for me to now underscore the positive instead of the negative. It wasn't about harping on the evils of drugs, tobacco, alcohol, coffee, and tea, or fretting about the quantity of caffeine in chocolate; it was about eating and drinking things that would nourish me. It was about doing it with "prudence and thanksgiving." It was about celebrating my physicality and those things that sustain it. And if I'll have health in my navel and marrow in my bones and "the destroying angel shall pass" over me, so much the better. So, while I may no longer hang out in bars drinking mineral water these days, I'm glad there are fragments of my Mormon heritage that have continued meaning in my life. I'm glad that the Word of Wisdom is something I can still believe in.
by Hugo Salinas Why are so many LDS bishops overweight? How come so many of us fail to see exercise and diet as part of the Word of Wisdom? And more importantly, which are the parts of the Word of Wisdom that I need to focus on in order to live a healthier life? Affirmation has a history of raising awareness about health issues. Two of the earliest issues of our newsletter specifically addressed the epidemic of suicide among gay Mormons--an issue that unfortunately has not gone away. Depression has been discussed in our newsletter, in our conferences, and on our website. We have been raising HIV/AIDS awareness since November 1983. In 1997, we began to place special emphasis on health among gay Mormon youth. In a statement which was added to our bylaws that year, Affirmation declared that "health and wellness is possible for Mormon affiliated GLBTQ people of all ages who accept themselves." What a remarkable statement! Has accepting the fact that you are gay made you a healthier person? As an out and proud gay or lesbian, have you considered the implications that the Word of Wisdom could have in your life today? Have you ever though, for instance, that if you are sexually active, safer sex could well be the most important part of your observance of the Word of Wisdom? Today we know that there is a direct correlation between self-esteem and safer sexual practices. In other words, people who are out and proud are more likely to practice safer sex. This same group of people are less likely to feel depressed and attempt suicide. Organizations such as Affirmation can have a tremendous role in promoting GLBT health, because they provide a safe place for gays and lesbians to come out, to affirm their self-esteem, and to develop healthy interpersonal relationships. We have recently launched an area on the Affirmation website that deals with GLBT health: www.affirmation.org/health. It includes links to health resources and explores some issues that apply specifically to us, such as the Word of Wisdom and suicide prevention and awareness. Please visit this area of the website and send us suggestions on how to improve it. Consider sending us a short personal essay with examples of some of the things that have helped you as a Gay Mormon improve your physical, emotional, and spiritual wellness. Finally, one word about spiritual health and the LDS Church: As with many other anti-gay churches, you may someday decide that the Mormon Church is no longer a healthy place for you. If the time comes for you to quit going to church, do not throw the baby out with the bath water. Come to Affirmation; continue cultivating spiritual practices; consider attending a gay-friendly church. People who in engage in spiritual and religious practices are healthier, happier, and live longer than those who don't. Without overweight bishops to emulate, some Mormons have even been known to shed a few pounds, getting one step closer to that celestial body that we will all one day enjoy ;) Denver Conference Registration Form & Costs The Conference Committee has just announced costs for the 2005 Annual Conference to be held 30 Sep - 2 Oct in Denver, along with information about the Irwin Phelps Scholarship.
Founded in 1982, the Denver Gay Men's Chorus was the first openly gay organization in Denver and the first to use the word "gay" in its name. Now entering their 21st season, the DGMC is comprised of 85 members (all volunteers) who include five African Americans, 12 Hispanics, one lesbian and one non-gay man. The members range in age from 20 to 60 years. The Chorus has been a beacon of strength and support during strenuous years for the gay and lesbian community, speaking through song on issues meaningful to the gay and lesbian experience. . After years of extensive outreach efforts, the Chorus performs for audiences that are roughly 60% gay and 40% non-gay. Over the years the Chorus has become an accomplished musical organization. Some highlights include singing with Diane Schuur in an inaugural concert at the Temple Buell Theatre, and joining forces with the Denver Women's Chorus in 1992 to host the fourth Festival of Gay and Lesbian Choruses, bringing together more than 3,500 singers from around the world. In 1993 they were presented the Mayor's Award for Excellence in the Arts, and the next year performed in Boettcher Concert Hall with renowned soprano Faith Esham. The chorus has released several professionally-produced compact discs, including "Infinite Hues", "Songs for a Winter's Night" and "Anthology", based on the spring concert celebrating 15 years of building community through music. In the summer of 1997, the DGMC performed with Harmony, Holly Near and Bill McKinley, again in Boettcher Concert Hall. The DGMC participated in GALA Festival 2000 in San Jose, performed in Portland, Oregon in 2001 and then hosted the Portland Gay Men's Chorus at the Stage Theatre in Denver, jointly commissioning a major work by Diane Benjamin. Since 1982, the Denver Gay Men's Chorus has been dedicated to building a community through music by actively making an artistic contribution to the entire gay and lesbian community. Over the years the group has struggled with the challenges and devastation of the AIDS epidemic, rallied within the community to defeat Amendment Two and endeavored to break down the walls of prejudice in society as a whole through music. The songs they have chosen to perform as a GALA Chorus are poignant and purposeful. They tell unique and powerful stories of the journeys that gays and lesbians have known and are a musical celebration of this community's achievements as well as a celebration of life itself. Join Affirmation in Denver September 30 through October 2, 2005 as we celebrate with the Denver Gay Men's Chorus the experience and goals we share as gay and lesbian people. Good News! New, Lower Room Rates for Conference! We are glad to announce that we obtained an additional $10 discount for basic rooms, the Concorde level, and executive suites at the Adam's Mark Hotel in Denver! Make your reservation no later than August 30, 2005, via phone, toll-free, (800) 444-2326 to secure these rates. In order to obtain the discount, tell the reservations agent you are with Affirmation. For more information, visit www.affirmation.org/conference.
Two months left until August 1, the deadline for the Affirmation Writing Awards Contest. As always, the contest is open to all forms of non-fiction relevant to GLBTI Mormon experience. This year, there is a special call for brochures and booklets to update Affirmation's collection of informational literature. If you're thinking about entering this year's contest-by all means, do so! For more information, see the contest rules at www.affirmation.org/writing_contest.
The Executive Committee of Affirmation has issued a statement of interest as part of an amici curiae brief to be filed with the Supreme Court of the State of New York. With statements from many gay-friendly organizations, the brief supports the right of all committed couples to marry, including same-sex couples. May 6, 2005 Affirmation Gay and Lesbian Mormons ("Affirmation") is composed of current and former members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints ("Mormons"), their family and friends. Our mission is to work for the understanding and acceptance of gays and lesbians as full and equal members of this Church and society at large. Affirmation has members in the State of New York who would be directly affected by the outcome of this case. Affirmation supports and encourages committed relationships however they occur, whether between man and woman or between two persons of the same gender. We believe immeasurable good comes to both participants and to their community through marriage. We believe are society needs more, not less, commitments made in love and dedication. Same sex couples will strengthen society by strengthening the time tested institution of marriage. As Mormons, we are told that marriage is "for time and all eternity." We have enormous respect for the practice of marriage, and feel that the exclusion of same-sex couples from this institution harms society. Further, it is our belief that marriage in the United States is a civil contract. Therefore, denying any citizens the right to marry must be based on protecting society from serious harm, rather than upholding the traditions of particular religious groups. Marriage is in the best interest of the state, and thus limiting it is not.
May 2005 Located some two hours from the Mexican capital, the city of Puebla now has an Affirmation group. "I'm in communication with Carlos Peralta from the Mexico Chapter, and he's helping me start meetings here in Puebla," writes Nelson Cabrera, the group organizer. "I am very excited about this idea-you'll soon receive more news from us. We hope our Heavenly Mother and Father will help us in this great work we're beginning." For more information, you may visit the Affirmation Puebla website at www.afirmacion.org/puebla. Utah Pride Interfaith 2005: Holy People, Equal Rights
The service, which will last approximately one hour, includes religious leaders from a variety of faith traditions and will celebrate the theme “Holy People: Equal Rites”—a play on the Utah Pride 2005 theme “Equal Rights. No More. No Less.” Following the service, attendees are invited to share refreshments and learn about various area religious organizations which are welcoming of GLBT people during a social hour. "The Utah Pride Interfaith Committee firmly believes that each GLBT individual is a being of love, made as we are," says Affirmation member and Interfaith Committee Chair Duane Jennings. "We proclaim that the Divine, regardless of how one sees the Creator, embraces us all and delights fully in our being. Being gay or transgendered or lesbian or bisexual is no more a sin than what being heterosexual is. It is who we are, and who we are Holy." The Utah Pride Interfaith Service will take place June 11, 6 pm, at First Baptist Church, located on the northwest corner of 1300 E 800 S. in Salt Lake City. For more information visit www.utahprideinterfaith.org.
By Jason Clark May 2005 Running Time: 69 minutes Rating: Probably R Members of the Affirmation Washington DC Chapter went May 7 to the Warehouse Screening Room, in Washington DC, to screen a new version of the 1922 silent movie Trapped by the Mormons. Directed by Ian Allen, a gay Mormon from Washington D.C., this new version of the camp classic highlights the film's sexual overtones and includes a vampire-themed grand finale. Made during four weekends last October with a budget of $10,000, Ian's original idea was to adapt Trapped by the Mormons for the stage, but it ended up as a film project. All the actors donated their time for the project, which was carried out with borrowed costumes and props. This version of the anti-Mormon classic also includes a little bit of gender-bending, as drag impersonator Stacey Whitmire, a.k.a. Johnny Kat, plays the part Isoldi Keane, the evil Mormon elder who hypnotizes and seduces young girls. "This is not an anti-Mormon film-It's a parody of an anti-Mormon film," says Ian, who sees Trapped by the Mormons as a comment on people's paranoia towards conservative religious groups such as Muslims and Mormons. Ian was the only Mormon involved in the project, but several Mormons, including members of the Affirmation Washington DC Chapter, have since seen the film. After a 3-week run in Washington DC, Allen is planning to take his movie to the festival circuit, New York, and Salt Lake City. For more information, visit www.trappedbythemormons.com  .
Affirmation: Gay and Lesbian Mormons P.O. Box 46022 Los Angeles, CA 90046 National Phone Line: (661) 367-2421 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
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