Affirmation: Gay & Lesbian Mormons

Affinity
Special Issue
December 2008

Affirmation: Gay & Lesbian Mormons—Serving Gay & Lesbian Mormons and Their Family and Friends Since 1977

Olin Thomas

A Most Extraordinary Year

By almost any measure, this has been an extraordinary year for gays, for Mormons, and those of us who are both. In most of the news there has been a mixture of the positive and the negative. While it is easier to dwell on the negative, it is the silver lining in the bad news which gives me so much hope for the future.

The most obvious, and recent, negative news was the passage of Proposition 8 in California, and similar measures in Florida and Arizona. While it was disheartening to see the intense involvement of the LDS Church in this measure, I was encouraged to see so many within the Mormon community speak out in favor of equality. And despite the most expensive ballot initiative campaign in U.S. history, the result was a relatively close vote. During this year the Church moved from its former position of attempting to ignore Affirmation and gay rights to a position of publicly agreeing to talk with us. Though an in person meeting has not occurred, there has been an exchange of public statements about gay issues which has been unprecedented, culminating in statements that the Church is not opposed to civil unions, hospital visitation rights, death benefits and other important matters. I am hopeful that this is the beginning of real change for how gays and lesbians will be viewed and treated by the Church.

The campaign for president of Mitt Romney demonstrated that the American public still harbors deep suspicions about Mormons. The public reaction after the passage of Proposition 8 has evoked memories of the civil rights era of the 1960's and 70's. Such reactions will only serve to reinforce the message that Affirmation and its allies have been relaying for years - that the times are changing and organizations which do not adapt will be marginalized. However, I am alarmed at the level of anger being directed towards the Church and Mormons in general. Though I disagree with their positions, I believe this level of anger is unproductive and will only delay the changes we seek. Many great advocates for change, such as Gandhi, Mandela, M.L. King and even our own Harvey Milk, have emphasized the need for civil and peaceful protest and the use of reason and compassion in the effort to bring about change. It is my hope that will we take our honest disagreements to the public forum, but not in such a way that we let our angry mar the message.

As Affirmation Executive Director, I want to wish all of you a very blessed and merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. While it would have been nice to have had another victory for marriage equality in our Christmas Stockings this year, I am nonetheless happy to see such clear evidence finally that our messages and our voices are being heard in Salt Lake. It is also clear that the concept of true equality is gaining ground in many areas of our country and especially among the rising generation. Our goals have not been attained, but today I feel like there is a true prospect of attaining them and not just a dream.

I am also bidding you all farewell as Executive Director. After five years, it is time for me to focus on other areas of my life. Your new Executive Director will no doubt take Affirmation in new directions, especially in light of the developments I've mentioned. I encourage you all to support him, but if you have differing opinions of what Affirmation's role should be, let your voices be heard as reasoned counsel. Our strength comes from unity, even if we disagree on some points. While we all have our own ideas, the Executive Directors I have known have always considered all views in deciding what actions to take and I expect no less of the next director.

Thank you for the support of those of you who are dues paid members - we could not operate without your contributions. For those whose memberships have lapsed, there is a membership form which you can use to renew your association with Affirmation. Most of all, I look forward to continuing to see you at conferences and to hear from you in my new role as Chapter Development Director.

Best Wishes to All --

Olin Thomas
Executive Director, Affirmation Gay & Lesbian Mormons