 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Editorial: Why I'm Going to Denver By Russ Gorringe, President of the Salt Lake Chapter of Reconciliation I can still remember the loneness, guilt and shame that drove me to that rope bridge. As I looked down into the river below, I remember thinking, "If the fall doesn't kill me, once I hit the cold water, all I have to do is take a deep breath of water, and it will all be over." I was carrying a heavy burden of secrecy and shame by not being out to myself and to my God. Society, my church, and my parents had made it clear that I was of no value. Just before leaping to my death, I glanced in the direction of my children, one last time. They were hiking along the trail, moving away from me. My daughter, Emily, then 14, turned around. Our eyes met. She knew exactly what I was doing. I was caught. The next thing I knew, she was out on the bridge, pulling me to safety. Emily saved my life. Before I could find another opportunity, I attended an Affirmation activity with Rick Bickmore. I was scared to death! But I also knew I could no longer just accept in blind faith everything my church had taught me about homosexuality. I had to find out for myself, because the church was not going to help me. At my first Affirmation activity and conference, I discovered I was not alone. There were many others who had walked the same path as me. I had an instant "family." Rather than being turned over to the "buffetings of Satan," which is what my priesthood leaders told me would happen, I found caring, honest, and loving people who cared about me. At each conference since, I laugh, cry, embrace, and share experiences and opinions. I have always come away from an Affirmation Conference with my cup filled. I come away with new understanding, acceptance, and hope. As I make plans to attend the 2005 annual Affirmation Conference, "Reaching New Heights," in Denver, Colorado, September 30 - October 2, 2005, I am filled with excitement! I can't wait to meet friends from around the world. I will be a better person because I attended the Denver conference. As I plan for Denver, I remember years earlier, being out on that bridge. What a different place I am in now! How did I ever get to that point? With near perfection, I had done everything church leaders and counselors had asked of me to change. "Is anything too hard for the Lord," I asked? "No." "Could he make me straight," I asked? "Of course he could. Then why did he not intervene?" It was at an Affirmation Conference, like the one coming up in Denver, that I began to consider new options, which had previously been unthinkable. "Perhaps God hasn't helped me to 'change,' because there is nothing to 'change.' He is pleased with me as I am. Maybe God loves diversity, and there is something good and divine about me, as a gay man. What if, while some members of my church point at me and cry 'blasphemy,' the real 'blasphemy' is the refusal of joy?" Affirmation Conferences give each of us what we need, which seems to vary between participants. For me, my first Affirmation Conference started me on a new path of self-acceptance of glorifying God for the gift of being "gay." In the liberating years that followed, I participated in organizations like Affirmation, Gamofites, and Reconciliation, all affiliated with each other. What a blessing to be "out" to myself and to God. What a wonderful thing to not only feel God's acceptance of me, but to feel of his pleasure in me being who he called me to be. "Man is that he might have joy." When I responded, with obedience, to my "same-sex attractions" as counseled by church leaders, I found depression, darkness, shame, guilt, and fear. It nearly took my life. Who is the author of darkness? Who is the author of fear? Who do you think delighted in my suffering? Organizations like Affirmation and Reconciliation helped me to embrace both my faith and my gayness with confidence and joy. I can't think of a better place to accomplish this kind of growth than at our annual Affirmation Conference. My ex-wife is now happily remarried. I am so happy for her. She deserves to be happy. As for me, I love being gay. I achieved this joy by participating in Affirmation and discovering through study, prayer, and your friendship, what God really wants of me. My process of reconciliation may be different than some, but I learned by freeing myself from the "traditions of my fathers," and by taking off my "Mormon lenses," I discovered that while "the church" may not be gay affirming, God's gospel and word are very gay-affirming. Hope to see you in Denver! Note: Russ Gorringe is the subject of a documentary, "Marriages, Hopes, and Realities," available at the upcoming Affirmation Conference, and through Ron Schow, Affirmation, and Reconciliation. You may also read a feature story on Russ in the Salt Lake Metro magazine.
by Alyson Bolles It takes more than a few words to aptly describe our opening speaker for the Affirmation conference in Denver. Sue-Ann's bio says she is "Australia's only six-foot, lesbian, ex-Mormon, diabetic, comedian and author." I think I'd take it a bit further. There is only one Sue-Ann Post in the universe and no one whom I respect more for their courage, intellect, forthrightness, brilliant storytelling, and of course, humor. The subject of the documentary, Lost Tribe, and author of the book, Confession of an Unrepentant Lesbian Ex-Mormon (Or Hanging Out with Gay Mormons in Salt Lake City), Sue-Ann Post so honestly tells her story that one can't help but find a piece of oneself. (In the case of Lost Tribe, that can be taken quite literally. There are glimpses of almost all of us in Affirmation who attended the Salt Lake conference.) On a more philosophical level, the fierce truths she confronts on her journey to Utah are so universal to the gay Mormon experience, her struggle hits right in the solar plexus. Upon reading her new book, I had the eerie experience of feeling as if she had reached into my head, found all my deep-seated fears and secrets, and exposed them on paper. She's written the book I always wanted to read and could not find. And all this with such a redemptive quality that one can't help but let out a belly laugh and feel a strong sense of relief. She has de-constructed the lesbian Mormon experience, put it all back together, and left us all stronger for it. Don't miss the "Reaching New Heights" opening ceremony Friday night, September 30, 2005 in Denver. Sue-Ann Post will lead us in an ice-breaker and host our social mixer, after which we'll feature the first public screening in the United States of the film documentary Lost Tribe, with Sue Ann present to answer questions afterwards. Watching this touching and ground breaking film with others who understand the emotions evoked by being both gay/lesbian and Mormon, and who have also wondered "where are MY people?", will be a memorable experience. You must come to Denver to see Sue Ann Post in person -- there's no one who can break the ice quite like her!  Sue Ann Post talks about her visit to Utah (RealAudio)Denver Conference Information Conference Deadlines & Important Dates
Denver Kick-Off Events for Friday, September 30 Before making a flight reservation, pease check the information below. Remember also that to get from Denver International Airport to the hotel you'll have to make a 30 mile trip by shuttle. 3:00-5:00 PM: Leadership Meeting. Open to all Affirmation members. Make sure your chapter sends a representative! 5:30-6:00 PM: First-Timers Reception. New to Affirmation's National Conference? Drop into the Hospitality Suite between 5:30 and 6:00 Friday night. Let's get acquainted, answer your questions, and help you get into the swing of things. This event is for first-time conference attendees only. 6:00-7:00 PM: Dinner (on your own) 7:00 PM: Opening Social Mixer, for everyone. It will include finger food and drinks, but not a full dinner. Finding a Roommate If you're looking for someone to share the costs of a room at the Mark Adams Hotel, please visit www.affirmation.org/roommate.
Flying to the Affirmation conference doesn't have to be an expensive proposition. Several websites offer excellent deals for roundtrips to Denver. Before buying your ticket, check out fares offered at orbitz.com, travelocity.com, hotwire.com, priceline.com, and expedia.com. All the prices below are for roundtrips offered by orbitz.com for the dates of the conference (September 30 - October 2) and include taxes. Special Fare with SuperShuttle
Irwin Phelps Scholarship 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. Donations earmarked to this fund are gladly accepted! 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. 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 and only to those who establish a definite need for assistance. Past examples have included full-time students, unemployed or under-employed, retirees with limited income, international members and those living on disability payments. Assistance generally takes the form of a 50% reduction in conference registration fees. We do not provide assistance with hotel rooms or airfare. To apply for this scholarship, with your name, address, contact information, and reason for your request. Send the email to olin  affirmation.org. If you do not have email, you may mail a request to Affirmation, P.O. Box 77504, Washington, DC 20013 Attn: Irwin Phelps Scholarship. For urgent or complex questions, you may leave a message at 703-370-6269 to receive a return telephone call.
Scholarships are available only for current Affirmation members, but we will accept a membership renewal and scholarship application simultaneously. Please don't wait until the last minute to inquire about scholarships! If you are interested, contact us now. We do allow you to change your mind, and feel free to contact us with questions.
Call for Nominations for the 2004 Paul Mortensen Award The Deadline is September 1st It is time once again to call for nominations for Affirmation's highest honor, the Paul Mortensen Award. The award is presented each year at our annual conference to an individual who has served Affirmation in outstanding leadership and service during the past year. The criteria for selecting a nominee should be:
Do not submit just a name. We need to know something about the individual since the committee may not know him/her well. The nominations must be received by September 1st, 2005--no exceptions! E-mail them to the ; do not send copies to anyone else. Or mail them to the National Post Office Box: AffirmationThe award recipient will be announced at the Affirmation Conference in Denver on October 1, 2005. The selection committee is made up of past recipients of the award. Be sure to show this letter to everyone in your area. You may be the one who should be nominated and you may not want to nominate yourself. Please note that a past recipient of the award can be nominated again for this year's Mortensen Award recipient. If you have any questions, . We look forward to seeing you at the Denver conference, which is certainly going to be a great event. Please start thinking about this award today and get your nomination in tomorrow.
By Alyson Bolles A good time was had by all at the Affirmation Women's Retreat June 3-5th. Everyone enjoyed the accommodations--camping with all the conveniences of home. A group of 7 gathered at the home of Alyson and Annette for the weekend. We slept in tents on the front lawn, hiked, watched films, ate good food, had great discussions, and enjoyed the scenery and each other's company. Thanks to all the women who made the trip, and next year we only hope it will be as fulfilling a weekend for all who attend. For more pictures, please visit <http://www.affirmation.org/news/2005_22.shmtl>.
by Jae Ann Atwood June 2005 The theme of Portland's Pride celebration held June 18-19, 2005 was "Everyday People." Affirmation's entry in the parade was anything but everyday. Working with our own theme of "Missionary Impossible," Portland's Affirmation chapter wore (mostly) white shirts and ties, but no one wore them in the usual way. Chapter co-chair Jason Giles wore a harness under his white shirt, and Kevin Cox wore his shirt around his waist. We followed a truck sporting the Affirmation banner and playing such songs as "Missionary Man," "Goody Two Shoes" and "It's a Sin." Affirmation's parade entry always gets a good reaction from the crowd. Many thanks to Kevin Cox for planning the theme, arranging for the truck and making the many clever signs carried by Affirmation members. To see more pictures, please visit <http://www.affirmation.org/news/2005_23.shmtl>. Sunstone Symposium Will Feature Affirmation Table, Discuss Gay Mormon Issues The Sunstone Symposium will be held July 27-30, 2005, at the Sheraton City Centre Hotel in Salt Lake City. Affirmation will have a table in the Harvest Room. Affirmation members who can volunteer their time to help crew the table, please call Duane Jennings at 801-486-6977 or  at Wasatchaffaol.com.
Several symposium sessions will discuss gender-related issues and the gay Mormon experience. Students with ID can attend most sessions below for free! To learn more about the symposium, visit <www.sunstoneonline.com>. Affirmation Launched in New York City www.affirmation.org/nyc
by Patxy Peguero We finally launched Affirmation NYC! Our first meeting was 2 weeks, and some 8 people showed up. Our next gathering will be Sunday July 24 , 2005 at 1pm, in Central Park, to celebrate Pioneer Day! If you have questions about Affirmation NYC, please
at choreographernyc.rr.com or call him at (212) 397-4110 or (646) 326-2358.
Gay Mormon Director Debutes “Straight Acting” Mormon filmmaker Spencer Windes has just debuted Straight Acting, a documentary that follows jockey players, rodeo cowboys, and ruggers who defy expectations about what it means to be a gay man. Windes says that he was inspired to join an L.A. gay-friendly rugby team after reading about Mark Bingham, the San Francisco gay rugby player who went down heroically with his fellow passengers on Flight 93 on 9/11. Read full story at http://www.affirmation.org/learning/straight_acting.shmtl. 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
|
Download coupon
1996-2008 Affirmation: Gay and Lesbian Mormons
www.affirmation.org
Top Site Map Contact Us Disclaimer Privacy Policy Terms of Use
www.affirmation.org
Top Site Map Contact Us Disclaimer Privacy Policy Terms of Use