Affirmation: Gay & Lesbian Mormons

Sunstone Symposium Will Feature Affirmation Table, Discuss Gay Mormon Issues

by Jason Clark
June 2005

The Sunstone Symposium will be held July 27-30, 2005, at the Sheraton City Centre Hotel in Salt Lake City. Affirmation will have a table in the Harvest Room. Affirmation members who can volunteer their time to help crew the table, please call Duane Jennings at 801-486-6977 or

Several symposium sessions will discuss gender-related issues and the gay Mormon experience--see samples below. Students with ID can attend any of the sessions below for free. The whole preliminary program is posted at the Sunstone website. To have a copy of the program sent to you by mail, contact the Sunstone office.

Friday July 29 4:45 - 6:15 pm
Session 275
Film and Discussion: Go Forward

In a 1998 general conference address in which he addressed the issue of Latter-day Saints with same-sex attraction, President Hinckley expressed his love for them as sons and daughters of God, and added that "if they do not act upon[their same-sex] inclinations, then they can go forward as do all other members of the Church." The short film Go Forward powerfully tells of one Latter-day Saint's journey to take President Hinckley at his word.

Saturday July 30 11:15 am - 12:45 pm
Session 336
Panel: Steps in the Right Direction? Evaluating new LDS Publications on Homosexuality

This past year has seen the publication of In Quiet Desperation: Understanding the Challenges of Same-Gender Attraction and A Guide for Latter-day Saint Families Dealing with Homosexual Attraction. The Church also recently revised the language on homosexuality in its For the Strength of Youth pamphlet. Other publications with questionable language remain unrevised. This session examines these publications as well as recent statements, research, and grassroots initiatives.

Saturday July 30 4:45 - 6:15 pm
Session 376
Panel: For the Strength of Gay Youth: A Useful Guide?

Aaron Cloward's 7500-word guide, For the Strength of Gay Youth, includes frank discussions on some of the most serious issues facing young gay Mormons, from how to deal with family and depression to what to do about the Internet, dance clubs, and dating. The guide also includes a lengthy section on sexuality. Panelists will critique Cloward's guide and try to answer the question: How useful is this document in helping young Mormons who feel attracted to their own sex?