James Kent, Affirmation's Executive Director Conference Committee Registration Desk Leadership Meeting Leadership Meeting Reception Friends Imelda Reception Reception View additional pictures in the Photo Gallery DC Cowboys DC Cowboys DC Cowboys DC Cowboys DC Cowboys Late Night Conversations Time for a game View additional pictures in the Photo Gallery "Be of Good Cheer" Robert and Lanette Graves Be of Good Cheer Beyond All Expression "RLDS and Homosexuality: A church experiencing growth" Allan C. Fiscus "RLDS and Homosexuality: A church experiencing growth" "Wherefore Sex?" "Wherefore Sex?" "Journal Writing: The Inner Journey" Martha Horn, MA "Journal Writing: The Inner Journey" Creating Change "Excommunication: Creating a Positive Teaching Experience" Alan Blodgett "Excommunication: Creating a Positive Teaching Experience" Mark Packer "Excommunication: Creating a Positive Teaching Experience" Ernie Horstmanshoff "Excommunication: Creating a Positive Teaching Experience" "Living Faith Outside of the Institutional Church" Stewart Culkin "Living Faith Outside of the Institutional Church" Imelda Henry Miller Presents the Paul Mortensen Award View additional pictures in the Photo Gallery Andrew Sullivan Wendy Lane Bailey View additional pictures in the Photo Gallery Affirmation AIDS Quilt Not What You Think Q-Saints Readers Theater Devotional Buffet

From our Director

On behalf of the Executive Board of Affirmation: Gay & Lesbian Mormons, I extend to you a warm welcome to the Capital of the United States, Washington D.C. Our 22nd annual conference has the theme of "Conference 2000: We the Peculiar People."

This annual conference is our first conference East of the Mississippi river. It is an opportunity for you to network and fellowship with people from many different parts of the country and world. The similarities that we all share will hopefully provide creative discussion in the many workshops and opportunities for fun.

The City of Washington D.C., and its host committee have done a wonderful job in making this a memorable occasion. I would like to thank those who volunteered their time and talents for preparing and presenting workshops, keynote addresses, and entertainment for this weekend.

I would like to thank the Washington Plaza Hotel for making us feel welcome and for providing our lodging, meeting space, and meals.

I hope you will take advantage and visit the many National museums and monuments in this showcase city with your fellow conference attendees.

Sincerely,
James Kent
Executive Director

On behalf of the Conference Committee and the Washington D.C. Chapter of Affirmation, I would like to welcome you to "We the Peculiar People," the 22nd annual conference of Affirmation. We are pleased to be breaking ground by hosting the first conference on the East coast. Planning this conference has been a big challenge, and we have learned a lot. We hope that you will enjoy this conference and take time to see the great sights of our Nation's Capitol. Our intent has been to create a relaxed atmosphere with plenty of time to socialize and sightsee.

Selecting a conference theme was a difficult task. The name of the conference finally selected was derived from the phrase "peculiar people," used in the Bible to favorably describe the Hebrews as special children of God and by Latter-day Saints for the same purpose, and "We the People" from the preamble to the United States Constitution. We thought it fitting to remind all who come to or hear of this conference that we are indeed both special children of God and citizens of the United States or the World — who want what the American Colonists wanted in 1776 — liberty and the right to pursue happiness as they saw fit. We hope those of you in attendance with us today will reflect both on how far we, as gay, lesbian or Transgendered people, have come and how far we have yet to go.

So, take the opportunity this weekend to learn at our workshops and from our speakers. Let your spirits be comforted and uplifted by the devotional and music presentations. Find joy in the fellowship of other attendees and in the performances of our entertainers. And pursue a little happiness of your own — whether this is in touring the beautiful monuments or fascinating museums or in pursuing the beautiful people at Dupont Circle. You are our guests, and we are glad you came. Let us know if there is anything we can do to enhance your enjoyment of the conference. Now, have fun!

W. Olin Thomas III
Conference Chair

I am pleased to welcome you to Washington D.C. — our Nation's Capital and the heart of the American Experience.

Our common thread, combined histories - monuments to the past and hopes for the future - are all on display in Washington D.C. We invite you to see the original Star Spangled Banner. Read the Emancipation Proclamation. Stand on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial where Marian Anderson lifted her voice in song, and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. lifted up a nation with his profound and eloquent dream. Remember in the granite shadow of the Vietnam Veteran's Memorial. Walk along the National Mall.

We invite you to step off the Mall and into the fun and excitement of our culturally rich neighborhoods. Visit the terrific cafes, restaurants and shops surrounding Dupont Circle. Experience the sound of DC's Duck Ellington tradition in a local jazz club. Try dim sum beneath the ornately carved Gateway Arch to Chinatown. Go on an historic walking tour of downtown. Enjoy a bilingual play in a nationally acclaimed Hispanic theater. Feast your heart and soul at a gospel brunch.

Welcome to Washington D.C., where you can remember, share and create your own American Experience.

Honorable Anthony A. Williams
Mayor

Check in

Conference participants were greeted by some familiar friendly faces as we entered the hotel lobby. Old and new friends met for the first time since our last conference. Thanks to our hard working Washington D.C. Chapter volunteers who registered everybody and helped to point us in the right directions.

Leadership Meeting

This was our chance, as leaders of Affirmation, to discuss important issues, share success stories, give updates on our work, and to meet our newest additions to the team.

James Kent, our current director, conducted the meeting, a tough job when you have so much to cover. Discussions touched on every aspect of our organization including bylaws changes, a financial report, our budget for next year, fundraising, women's topics, retreats, Cornerstones, our new General handbook, Writers Award program, membership outreach, publications, Affinity, Chapter at Large, the National Website, Public Relations, upcoming elections, and next year's conference in Long Beach.

Opening Reception—Country in the Capital

"Country in the Capital" was our big-city version of a country hoe-down featuring the DC Cowboys. This was our chance to meet and mix with fellow conference attendees while learning how to 2-step and line dance. Imelda paid us a visit wearing another glamorous gown which she is famous for. The women of Affirmation gathered for some happy reunions. Friends from far and near renewed their acquaintances while enjoying some refreshments.

The DC Cowboys, a 20-member strong internationally-acclaimed dance company, has been setting new trends in country-western dance entertainment over the last six years by combining a little traditional country-western with jazz, musical theater, cabaret dance, and masculine sex appeal. The DC Cowboys are not your typical country and western dancers...move over clogging, square dancing, and two steppin' groups!

The DC Cowboys won our applause as soon as they walked onto the dance floor. And with each new number, their sex appeal, enthusiasm and smiles kept our attention. In-between the two performances, conference attendees found ready teachers in the Cowboys as we followed their lead in several dances. After the entertainment we continued enjoying the western-style buffet, sharing memories with friends, and dancing until the wee hours of the morning.

Following the evenings festivities, and not quite ready for sleep, many of us took advantage of the Hospitality Room or went out to explore DC's nightlife.

Breakfast Buffet

Up bright and early? Well, most of us made it, although there seemed to be a few sleepwalkers among us. The spread of waffles, scrambled eggs, bacon, fresh fruit and cereals helped to wake us up.

Workshops, Session 1

Be of Good Cheer: Strategies for living joyfully and spiritually in the face of difficult family and church issues

Gay and lesbian people generally dread coming out to their parents and other family members. Reactions vary widely—we all know that. It is such a relief when it is finally out in the open and we can return to our fashionable (what else?) lives and homes. But have you ever thought about what happens to the family you just left? They are now "out" as the parents or siblings of a homosexual. The difficulties inherent in that are often overlooked. The Graves shared their experience and advice of going through this process with their son, Robert Jr.

Robert and Lanette Graves were born and raised in Salt Lake City in devout Mormon families. Prior to moving away from Utah, Lani performed with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir in the U.S. and abroad. They have lived in various places on the East coast for the last 27 years.

Robert earned electrical engineering degrees from Utah and Stanford, and an MBA from Wharton. He worked for more than 20 years at Bell Labs and AT&T, including eight years as vice-president for government affairs. Since 1996 he has served as Chairman of the Advanced Television Systems Committee, where his work involves traveling around the world promoting the introduction of digital television services, including high-definition TV.

Lani's educational background at Utah and Rungers in philosophy and religion has served as a natural foundation for her work as religious affairs coordinator on the board of the Washington D.C. chapter of PFLAG—Parents, Family and Friends of Lesbians and Gays. In years past, Robert and Lani have held a variety of stake and ward leadership positions in the LDS church. They are parents of three sons and a daughter, and their oldest son, Robert Jr., is gay.

Beyond All Expression: Essential Concepts in Native American Spirituality

Tom taught the basic concepts of Native American spirituality, highlighting the differences and commonalties among various peoples. His goal was to help dispel stereotypes we might have about native spirituality as he explained the tools and traditions used in the various practices. We learned how native people approach spirituality and Divinity and how they apply this in their daily lives.

Tom (Laughing Wolf) Simmons is of mixed blood, including Cherokee. Raised in Georgia and now living in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware he tries to follow the traditions of his ancestors as he searches for truth in many faith traditions.

RLDS and Homosexuality: A church experiencing growth

Although they are rarely, if ever, mentioned in proper LDS society, there is a second branch of Mormonism—the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Within this church the attitudes toward homosexuality have been developing differently. Although it might be hard to see how such lessons could apply to the Salt Lake variety Mormons, it was interesting to see how our long lost brothers and sisters of the RLDS church are approaching this very important issue.

Alan C. Fiscus has been a lifelong member of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (RLDS). Professionally Allan is a registered nurse, working in trauma and surgery. Allan first discussed his homosexuality with church officials in 1978 while serving in the US Navy. Later, he became the first President of Gay and Lesbian Acceptance (GALA), in 1987. During his life in the church Allan was ordained to the office of Deacon, then silenced. Priesthood restored, he was later ordained to the office of Elder. Allan is presently Program Director of Gay and Lesbian Ministries for the Michigan Region of the RLDS church (encompasses 90 congregations). He is part of a panel traveling around Michigan's RLDS congregations discussing "Understanding Homosexuality in Our Faith." He is an openly gay pastor of his congregation in East Lansing, Michigan.

Wherefore Sex? A Discussion.

Good, but for what? Itself? Something more? No lectures in this discussion, just a highly interactive exchange of ideas and experiences. No conclusions were reached, but we came to a better understanding of ourselves, our sexuality, and our relationships as we considered the role of sex in being gay, the value of relationships and some of the factors which help relationships flourish. Some of the topics touched on included: recognizing yourself as gay, is intimacy sexual or emotional, what do relationships provide and the factors involved in the survival and flourishing of relationships.

Robert J. Christensen is a freelance student, writer and rabble-rouser. He has lived most of his life in Asia and been out for almost forty years. He is currently pondering the role and meaning of sexuality and love in gay and lesbian life.

Workshops, Session 2

Journal Writing: The Inner Journey

Journal writing has long been a vehicle for recording thoughts, feelings, ideas, and personal (and sometimes public) history. Today, however, people are finding journals to be an invaluable tool in the exploration and development of their inner spiritual and emotional selves. This session introduced descriptive and internally interactive techniques, deeper reading and writing techniques, and how these can be used for personal growth and for spiritual and emotional healing.

Martha Horn, MA, is an openly lesbian psychotherapist and pastoral counselor. In addition to her interest in therapy with individuals, couples and groups, Martha has long-standing clinical interests in issues related to women's development, sexual orientation, journal writing, the use of language in therapy, and the integration of psychology and spirituality. She also has extensive experience in the are of domestic violence. Martha is a member of the Episcopal church, but has been a guest speaker in churches of various denominations. She has taught composition and adult psychology at the college level and has been a guest lecturer at two universities on gay/lesbian issues. Martha is currently working on a Ph.D. in Pastoral Counseling at Loyola College.

Creating Change: What can we each do to help improve the position of GLBT individuals in Mormon families and Mormon communities?

This workshop examined what a few individuals have been discussing by email and in workshops in Salt Lake City over the past eight months. Based on the tactics proposed by Soulforce, Inc., an organization created by Rev. Mel White to address the fundamentalist anti-gay voice in America, the plan uses the teachings and examples of Christ, Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr. to encourage people to step forward in power obtained from their personal relationship with Deity and love for God's creation. The workshop looked at the past and present, and focused on proactive possibilities and concrete preparations for action.

Duane Jennings is in the local leadership of the Wasatch chapter of Affirmation and is a Mortensen Award recipient. He represents Affirmation at the National Religious Leadership Roundtable. The Roundtable is a group of clergy and representatives from support organizations that are religiously affiliated and support gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered individuals. The organization currently has representatives from over 50 organizations the represent Buddhists, Catholics, Hindus, Jews, Mormons, Muslims, Protestants, Unitarians, and a couple of Pagan groups. A sixth generation Mormon, Duane claims his spiritual place in creation and his relationship with God, in spite of religious tradition.

Excommunication: Creating a Positive Teaching Experience

For many of us, the experience or thought of facing a church court usually brings about a host of negative emotions: fear, anger, apprehension, bitterness, or even shame. Three recently excommunicated members shared their unusual and surprisingly uplifting stories of their day in the "court of love." Alan Blodgett, a personal acquaintance of Gordon B. Hinkley, gave a lifetime of service to the church before being excommunicated. Mark Packer and Ernie Horstmanshoff underwent the unique and possibly unprecedented experience of being called to a church court as a gay couple. In addition to sharing their stories, they reviewed the latest church policies on homosexuality and same gender marriage, and current church excommunication procedures.

Alan Blodgett is now retired, but he formerly was the financial officer for several organizations. Currently, Alan is the Treasurer of both Affirmation and Gamofites. He resides in Portland, Oregon with Jerry, his partner of 12 years. His chief interest at the moment is serving as a judge for the Affirmation Writing Awards Contest.

Mark Packer and Ernie Horstmanshoff met at the original founding of Gamofites (Gay Mormon Fathers) and have been together for over seven years. Many of you who attended the 1998 Affirmation conference in Portland will recall their very popular seminar on relationships. Mark is an Enterprise Solutions Manager, and Ernie is a Regional Human Resources Director as well as a graduate of J. Rueben Clark Law School. Residing two blocks from the beach, they are frequently found rollerblading in Long Beach, California.

Living Faith Outside of the Institutional Church

Having been raised in the institution of confines of Mormon theology, many have felt rejected by the church as they acknowledge being gay. Often, that rejection led not only at a separation from organized religion, but also to a denial of God and to an exclusion of any spirituality component. Many, however, have found that something is lacking in their life and are seeking to develop some type of faith system. Father Stewart Culkin discussed ways to develop a living faith system, to establish a code of believe, to increase spirituality, and/or to establish a meaningful relationship with God outside of the confines of a ridged institutional religious structure.

Father Stewart Culkin is currently a Roman Catholic priest who provides spiritual counsel and guidance to many who seek to increase their spirituality and relationship with God, including GLBT Catholics who struggle to reconcile their sexuality with the rigid doctrine of their church.

Banquet & Mortensen Award

Each year, dressed in our finest attire, we gather for a Saturday evening banquet and awards ceremony. As in years past, Imelda made her entrance donning a spectacular gown, complete with black feathers, long strands of pearls and a tall florescent green beehive hairdo (that blocked the view of everyone seated behind her!). The scrumptious buffet stretched down the length of the ballroom, but who could think of food with so many glamorous people around? Conversations produced loud outbursts, and busy bees zipped from table to table spreading cheer and hugs.

The Mortensen Award presentation followed, honoring Alan Blodgett of the Portland chapter for his dedication and service to Affirmation. Henry Miller read a list of his accomplishments, including his service as our Treasurer, his establishment of an Affirmation Handbook, and his participation in organizing both the Affirmation Endowment Fund and the Writer's Award.

After Dinner Keynote Address

Marriage—Why We Can't Wait

Our keynote speaker was Andrew Sullivan, a senior editor at The New Republic, a magazine he edited from 1991 to 1996, and the U.S. columnist for the Sunday Times of London. He holds a B.A. in modern history and languages from Oxford University and a Ph.D. in political science from Harvard University. He lives in Washington D.C.

Cabaret at the Plaza

Wendy Lane Bailey made her first performance for Affirmation two years ago at the Washington D.C. Cornerstone Conference. Having studied with cabaret legends Julie Wilson, Margaret Whiting, and Carol Hail, Wendy is currently working on a show directed by Tony Award nominee Sally Mayes with musical direction by Tex Arnold, which will have its New York debut in early 2001.

Cabaret is not any one particular style of music. It is a distinctive art that requires "a lot of soul searching, risk taking, creativity, and honesty. The bottom line is audience rapport," explain cabaret experts. Wendy Lane Bailey, a self-described "Jewish-Baptist-Mormon," brought all of this to her performance for Affirmation.

Accompanying her on the piano was George Fulginitti-Shakar, Wendy's musical director.

Affirmation AIDS Quilt Display and Reflection Time

On a warm morning, October 9, 1988, in Hollywood, California, Affirmation dedicated its National AIDS Quilt. Several months prior, Paul Mortensen and Ricky Gilbert were discussing Paul's recent trip to view the National AIDS Quilt in Washington, D.C. Ricky volunteered to coordinate putting together a quilt to represent those Mormons who had succumbed to the illness. It didn't seem to be too big of a project, but by the dedication there were 21 names listed on what has become the central panel. Since then, two additional banners have been created for more recent names.

Of the first names, there were some very well-known individuals, including some of the founders of Affirmation, including Leonard Matlovich and Gerald Pearson. Jim Berg, Gordon Miller and Roger Hope were leaders in Affirmation.

Not What You Think

The 11 person Not What You Think (NWYT) ensemble of men and women performed pop, light jazz, and folk music. The NWYT group is part of the Lesbian & Gay Chorus of Washington, D.C. (LGCW), and has opened for the Fabulous Flirtations 5 times. They were featured in the Foyer Series at The Kennedy Center for the opening of Angels in America. NWYT performs frequently in the Washington, D.C. area and has appeared at the DC Arts Center, the Rockville and Fairfax Unitarian Churches, the Convention of the Federation of Families for Children's Mental Health, the Academy Awards of Washington, and Festival V of Gay and Lesbian Association of Choruses (GALA). At the core is their shared belief that, as gays and lesbians singing together, they have an opportunity and responsibility to effect change and to open hearts and minds. They choose music that may move their audiences to tears or laughter or inquiry or discovery, while offering an honest representation of themselves.

Q-Saints Readers Theater

From the thousands of postings on Q-Saints, Affirmation's listserv, this dramatic presentation brought to life a selection of the most hysterical, insightful, and thoughtful postings form the last two years. Remarkably witty, playful, sometimes passionate, and sometimes just slightly naughty, these authentic postings addressed our biggest issues as gay and lesbian Mormons: coming out, Proposition 22, marriage, faith, name removal, boy scouts, dating, movies, missionary experiences, confessions to bishops, and yes—even glass grapes.

Devotional

"An Affirmation of Ourselves with Music and the Spoken Word" was presented by the Los Angeles chapter of Affirmation. The program included musical selections including: "From The Silence;" our gay version of the church hymn "Come, Come Ye Saints;" a musical duet performing "Who Will Love Me As I Am;" a soloist singing "In This Very Room;" and we ended with our traditional "God Be With You Till We Meet Again."

Several heartfelt addresses were delivered. Dorothy Colley recalled the challenges she had to overcome as a lesbian Mormon, Jeanie Mortensen-Besamo spoke of her journey in finding spiritual peace as a wife and mother and Alan Blodgett spoke of the freedom and rediscovery of spirituality that the Mormon excommunication process had brought him.

Farewell Luncheon

The closing luncheon was unhurried. Scott MacKay again reminded everyone to add Affirmation Endowment giving to their financial planning and Ben Jarvis promised that there would be more queens than the Queen Mary at Affirmation's 2001 National Conference, but it was mostly lingering partings until next year's conference in Long Beach will allow friendships to be renewed once again.

Our Conference Organizers

Todd Christensen, W. Olin Thomas III, Larry Mann and John R. Benson.
We have much to thank these four wonderful people for. They're from the Washington, D.C. chapter and they spent many sleepless nights going over details and making arrangements for our weekend of fun and enlightenment.

Photo Gallery