Affirmation: Gay & Lesbian Mormons

Affirmation 1993 Conference Report

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From the Fall 1993 issue of Affinity

The September 17-19, 1993, Affirmation National Conference in San Diego brought together 150 gay, lesbian and bisexual Mormons--as well as their partners spouses and friends--from all over the world. Attendees came from as far away as Japan and Taiwan. The new Calgary chapter was also represented for the first time. The Conference was held at the Kona Kai Resort with the theme of "A Whole New World!"

The Friday night harbor cruise was the perfect introduction to the weekend, giving everyone a chance to track down their old friends and mingle with new ones as well. At least one hopeful romance traces its beginnings to glances exchanged that evening.

Discussion groups and workshops occupied most of Saturday day, punctuated by a picnic lunch at the water’s edge and a "milk and cookies break" with Sister Enid Christiensen, and her doting husband, Lamar, of No Man Knows My Pastries cookbook fame. The adventurous Relief Society sister and aspiring chef can tackle such recipes as A Marvelous Work With Wonder Bread, Mountain Meadows Muffins, Temple Squares, Sweet and Sour Spam, Franked Corn Things, Kolob Kebabs, and the Secret Combination Plate. A whole chapter of their cookbook is dedicated to Jell-O recipes, including a map of the Jell-O Belt, stretching from Shelley, ID, to Snowflake, AZ. The Jell-O Matrix will also help the neophyte to combine the proper flavors and ingredients for every social occasion, from ward banquet to missionary farewell or senior citizen luau.

Workshop presenters included Joan Atkinson, a Mormon mother who lost a son to AIDS and is now an atcivist, both in and out of the church.

Other workshops included gay San Diego police officer John Graham on self-defense techniques, and feminist Cindy LeFevre addressed "Homophobia as a Weapon of Patriarchy." Longtime Affirmation members Ina Mae Murri and Don Harryman spoke of their contributions to the book Peculiar People, while attorney Jason Firth gave advice on gay and lesbian legal issues, and Barry Mills spoke of reconciliation with church teachings.

After dinner, Rick Fernandez--formerly of the San Diego chapter, now attending UC Berkeley’s Boalt Law School--was presented with the Mortensen Award. Rick’s support of the San Diego and Phoenix chapters was noted, as well as his scholarly contributions to Sunstone, Affinity, and Prodigy religious forums. His dedication to the goals and membership of Affirmation are greatly appreciated.

Longtime member Hoyt Hilton Grant of the Sacramento Chapter was honored at this year’s conference for the longest continuous service to Affirmation. Hoy has served as the Affinity pen-pal coordinator for many years, outlasting many editors.

A talent show, sponsored by the Orange County chapter, featured Quinn McKinnon of the Phoenix Chapter as Dame Edna. Assisting Edna was Rod Foster as sidekick Madge. Among Edna’s guests were Sister Enid Christensen of the cookbook fame and the award winning Rick Fernandez.

Sunday featured keynote speaker, historian Dr. D. Michael Quinn, former professor of history at BYU. Mike explored the history of same-sex relationships in the LDS Church and the inconsistent response to them by church members and authorities.

The weekend wrapped up with the traditional Sunday devotional and luncheon. Many conference-goers chose to stay an additional night to get in some socializing and sight-seeing. Some groups ventured across the border to do some shopping in Mexico, while others went to Sea World, the historic Mission San Diego, and the recently completed Mormon temple in affluent La Jolla.