Affirmation: Gay & Lesbian Mormons

Samples of Letters to the Editor

Here are some samples of letters to the editor and op-eds consistent with the mission of Affirmation and relevant to gay Mormon experience. As you read them, thinking about your own entry, reflect on the following questions:

Thesis: What is the main point being made?

Argumentation: What arguments are made to support the main point? Are they well organized?

Tone: What is the tone of the letter? (detached, involved, passionate, angry, etc.)

Style: Is the letter clear? Were the words carefully chosen? Is it grammatically correct?

Venue: Are the topic, length, and tone appropriate for the venue where the letter was published?

Persuasiveness: Do you think the letter persuasive? If you were to write a letter on the same subject, would you have used a different line of argumentation? What are some of the potential flaws of the letter?

	Marriage is a Civil Right Author: Gary Watts Date of Publication: 3 May 2006 Venue: Daily Herald (Provo/Orem)
	Churches Should Teach Love Author: Carol Lynn Pearson Date of Publication: 31 Dec 2006 Venue: Deseret News
	It’s Me, It’s My Daughter Author: Carol Lynn Pearson Date of Publication: July 2004 Venue: Sunstone Magazine
	Plea to Prophet Author: Olin Thomas Date of Publication: 4 April 2008 Venue: Salt Lake Tribune

	In Defense of Our Families Authors: Scott MacKay, Olin Thomas, Darren Holman, and Hugo Salinas Date of Publication: 7 September 2003 Venue: Salt Lake Tribune

	Don’t Get Me Wrong, Some of My Best Friends Are Gayle Author: Troy Williams Date: 4 February 2007 Venue: Salt Lake Tribune
	LDS and Gay Author: Jane Wolfarth Date of Publication: 26 April 2008 Venue: Salt Lake Tribune
	The Proclamation on the Family: A Ten Year Assessment Author: Olin Thomas, Alyson Bolles, James Morris, and Hugo Salinas Date of Publication: November 2005 Venue: The Salt Lake City Weekly & The Salt Lake Metro