Affirmation: Gay & Lesbian Mormons

2009 Affirmation Writing Awards
Submission Deadline Is August 3

March 2009

The Executive Committee is pleased to announce the largest and most diversified writing competition in Affirmation’s history. The Tenth Annual Affirmation Writing Awards recognizes writing this year in two categories, non-fiction writing and editorial writing, with cash and recognition awards in each category. In addition, recognition is also being given for video production, although no awards will necessarily be given.

For six years, the Affirmation Writing Awards recognized non-fiction writing, in any form, on subjects of importance to the LGBTI Mormon community. We continue that format in 2009. The Affirmation web site contains dozens of stories of personal experiences, beautifully told, that were submissions to the Writing Awards competition. Entries can also be historical, biographical, or even humorous. Who are your heroes? What happened when you ran into an old missionary companion and you suddenly discovered that you were both gay? Or when you and Mom discovered a golden moment of truth while making Chicken Tetrazzini? This is your chance to share your story, to tell the world.

If you want to change the world, on the other hand, there is an opportunity for that as well, in our second category. In 2008, the Affirmation Writing Awards were given to published works intended to affect public opinion on matters of concern to gay and lesbian Mormons. The pen is a powerful sword, and so we continue this category. There is a lot going on this year: the California Supreme Court decision on Prop 8, legislative action on LGBT issues in almost every state, and something new from the LDS Church almost every month. Let the world hear your voice on these issues. Write an editorial, letter to the editor, or op-ed piece, get it published, and enter it in the Editorial portion of this year’s Affirmation Writing Award competition.

Not the pen and ink type? In a third category, we are seeking videos that can be posted on the Affirmation website, or on YouTube or similar media. This is a wide open competition; the only limiting criterion is that the subject must be something that would be of interest to LGBT Mormons. There are no rules, but also no guaranteed awards. We are looking for a way to structure a competition in future years, and using your entries this year to guide us in doing so.

Rules and entry forms are available at www.affirmation.org/awa. We have some amazing literally talent in Affirmation, both professional and amateur; please note that while all may enter, there is a difference in recognition in order to keep our fantastic writing pros from becoming a source of intimidation for our great amateurs. You do not need to be a member of Affirmation to enter or be recognized, but cash awards are limited to members.

The contests are open now; submission deadline is August 3. You have some great stories, compelling stories, inside of you, and we want to hear them. Let the writing begin!