Affirmation: Gay & Lesbian Mormons

UVSC Professor David Knowlton (left) and artist Don Farmer were the speakers

Gay Returned Missionaries Celebrate Common Ground

By Hugo Salinas
April 2004

In the wake of General Conference, some 50 returned missionaries, along with their partners and friends, gathered in Salt Lake City for their semi-annual gay and lesbian missionary reunion. Co-sponsored by Reconciliation and Affirmation: Gay and Lesbian Mormons, the event was held April 4 at the Salt Lake City Metropolitan Community Church.

After the potluck, the group enjoyed a program that included hymns, special musical numbers, a poetry reading, and presentations by local artist Don Farmer and anthropology professor David Knowlton.

Don Farmer came into the local and national spotlight last month, when he exhibited some photographs depicting two male LDS missionaries kissing and cuddling in different stages of undress. The pictures caused a heated controversy at Salt Lake Community College, were they were displayed, then moved to a less prominent location, and finally stolen--all in a period of less than 48 hours.

Farmer, himself a gay Mormon, showed slides with reproductions of the stolen pictures, which include Mormon material objects such as missionary name tags and LDS garments. Farmer explained that Mormon symbols in his photographs are not intended to offend church members, but rather to promote dialogue.