Affirmation: Gay & Lesbian Mormons

The 2008 Affirmation Writing Awards:
“Declare the Things Which Ye Know to Be True”

Jump to: Contest Rules, Frequently Asked Questions, Entry Form

Four More Weeks til Writing Awards Deadline

Effective Letters to the Editor Can Help Change Hearts and Minds

See samples of letters to the editor

Affirmation: Gay and Lesbian Mormons is pleased to announce the 2008 Affirmation Writing Awards Contest. This year’s contest has a different focus than previous years: We will recognize published opinion pieces consistent with the mission of Affirmation and relevant to gay Mormon experience. For the year 2008, three cash awards are being offered:

First Place: $500
Second Place: $300
Third Place: $200

In addition, the judges may grant awards of Honorable Mention.

Winners of awards will be announced on October 11, 2008, at Affirmation's annual conference in Los Angeles. Winners do not need to be present to win.

Download the Contest Entry Form (PDF format, 1 page)

Contest Rules

Your entry must be a letter to the editor or opinion editorial published in the appropriate section of a newspaper or a magazine between September 1, 2007 and September 1, 2008.

Only pieces published in print publications will be considered. Mainstream and high circulation publications are preferred over gay-only and low circulation publications. Web or email-only publications will not be considered.

Your entry must be in English.

Submit the original entire page(s) where the piece was published along with the Contest Entry Form. The page(s) may be folded for easy mailing. Clippings will be considered only if Affirmation can verify the date, page number, and venue of publication.

You may submit as many entries as you like. Complete a separate Contest Entry Form for each entry.

Postmark your entry no later than September 2, 2008, by first class mail or faster delivery. Send entry materials to:

Affirmation Writing Awards
P.O. Box 77504
Washington, DC 20013-8504

On or about September 30, 2008, winners will be informed that they have been selected to receive an award. The actual award (First Place, Second Place, Third Place, or Honorable Mention) will not be announced or awarded until October 11, 2008, at Affirmation's annual conference in Los Angeles. Winners do not need to be present at the conference to win.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to be gay or Mormon to enter the Contest?

The Affirmation Writing Awards Contest is open to any writer of any age, gender, sexual orientation, religion, or creed.

Can I use a pseudonym or nom de plume?

No. The piece must have been published under the author’s actual name. Affirmation reserves the right to verify the author’s identity before issuing any award.

How are entries judged?

A panel of judges will determine the winners of awards. Entries will be judged on the relevance and significance of the topic to the GLBTI Mormon community, their consistency with Affirmation’s mission, as well as on the succinctness, power, and eloquence of the writing. We encourage pieces that affirm gay Mormon identity, help educate the public about gay Mormon-related issues, or advocate for acceptance of GLBT people and families in the LDS Church, in churches in general, and/or in society at large.

What about copyright?

Copyright remains with the author and/or the publication. Affirmation will ask copyright holders for permission to post the full piece on the Affirmation website. Appropriate copyright notice will be given in each instance. Affirmation may post a quote from the piece under fair use guidelines.

Whom should I contact with further questions?

Send an email to Larry Mann, the Writing Awards Coordinator.

The fine print:

Judges must disqualify themselves with respect to an entry if a conflict of interest exists. Additional or substitute judges may be appointed as deemed appropriate by Affirmation. Affirmation agrees that it will use the personal contact information of individuals submitting entries only in connection with the Contest. Affirmation agrees that it will not share personal contact information with any other organization. Entries which do not meet the requirements laid out in the Contest Rules will not be considered. Entries will be returned only if they are accompanied by a self-addressed stamped envelope with appropriate postage. Affirmation reserves the right to change or reconfigure the Contest, including adjusting the number of judges, extending deadlines for submissions, increasing or decreasing award amounts, not giving an award in any given year, and holding no Contest in any subsequent year. The Contest is funded from the Affirmation Endowment Fund.