Leaders of chapters and groups within Affirmation: Gay & Lesbian Mormons gathered at their bi-annual Leadership Conference in Portland Oregon on March 15th to plan the future of their organization. "Most people are still surprised that we exist, and even more are when they learn what we are accomplishing," said Henry Miller, the group's website administrator.

Affirmation leaders have set into motion plans for a rally in Hawaii to support gay marriage, the translation of gay Mormon publications into Spanish and other languages, marching in various Pride Festivals around the country, the touring of the Mormon AIDS Quilt, placing ads in various gay-positive magazines, Affirmation's upcoming annual Conference, a new Gay/Lesbian Mormon website, and more.

"In our effort for greater visibility, we are also discussing exciting plans for placing pro-gay billboards in Salt Lake City during the upcoming 150th Anniversary of the arrival of the first settlers to the Salt Lake Valley," said Rick Fernández, the Executive Director for Affirmation. "Gays play a part in that heritage too, and historical works such as D. Michael Quinn's recent book Same-Sex Dynamics among Nineteenth-Century Americans: A Mormon Example make for an eye-opening educational experience about the role of gays and lesbians in the LDS church. We have always been here and will always be a part of what makes our church true. People just need more facts to help them realize who we really are."

The meeting took place in the Peace House, formerly the Finnish Consulate in Portland, now owned by the Methodist church. Some leaders of the LDS church have been calling for greater understanding and compassion toward its gay and lesbian members in recent talks, while others have been campaigning furiously against same-sex marriage. Affirmation leaders have, as one of their goals, the task of providing educational opportunities and materials for members of their church who cannot find answers from church leaders.

One Affirmation member shared "They couldn't even admit that we existed a few years ago and went to great lengths to make sure we remained invisible. The suffering that has played a part in being Mormon and gay/lesbian is slowly becoming less of a problem. It would seem that our church leaders are beginning to realize that what we have been telling them about our experience may be true. Who knows, maybe some day they will actually treat us with respect."

Affirmation counts numerous former church leaders in its ranks, including several "well-known" leaders. Affirmation believes that the experiences of such former leaders are helping to bring about needed change sought by gays and lesbians in the church.

Following their leadership conference, Affirmation leaders returned home to put into action their plans with the help of members and friends in 24 chapters and groups nationwide and nine chapters around the world. Rick shared their dedication to expanding visibility in an interview following the conference: "There still exist some in our church who would wish us harm, or at the very least to just go away. We are here as examples to help them overcome their prejudice. We will always be an integral part of what it means to be Mormon."