Affirmation: Gay & Lesbian Mormons

Members of the Task Force’s National Religious Leaders Roundtable who read the statement (R-L): Nicole Garcia, representative of Lutherans Concerned; George Cole, Assistant Executive Director of Affirmation; Howard I. Solomon, President of the World Congress of LGBT Jews; the Rev. Dr. Yvette A. Flunder, Presiding Bishop of The Fellowship.

Affirmation Leaders Attend LGBT Equality Conference
“Sexuality is the Divine invitation to find ourselves, not in loneliness, but in deep connection”

March 2009

January 28 through February 1, Affirmation’s assistant directors Micah Bisson and George Cole participated in “Creating Change,” the 21st National Conference on LGBT Equality held in Denver. Put on annually by the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, Creating Change is the leading educational and networking forum for leaders, volunteers and other activists in the LGBT equality movement.

George Cole attended an all-day session focused on expanding our understandings our sexuality, gender identity and expression, and our spirituality. “We addressed the lack of understanding in all our faith communities that cause and perpetuate inequalities, and how to work to bring understanding of all people and spiritual and sexual beings,” wrote George in a report to Affirmation members. “In the words of presenter and Task Force Faith Work Director Rev. Rebecca Voelkel, ‘Sexuality is the Divine invitation to find ourselves, not in loneliness, but in deep connection.’ By bridging the gap between ourselves and our straight brothers and sisters, we can all become whole.”

In addition to participating in a number of workshops, George Cole joined the Task Force’s National Religious Leaders Roundtable, which drafted a statement calling progressive LGBT and allied people of faith to include LBGT faith-based groups in their campaigns for full equality, especially to “assure the presence of LGBT faith leaders with an equal and fully empowered seat at the table.”

“Affirmation is proud to be signatory to this statement,” George wrote.