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Workshops and conference talks explored the themes of holy listening, belonging, self-acceptance, faith, family, service, spiritual independence, commitment, and navigating one’s relationship with the church.
Every organization has individuals working within it whose leadership skills and commitment to service to others combine in such a way that they make a real difference in the lives of others and in the mission of the organization. Affirmation has such individuals, and we would like to recognize and honor them. Each year, should a suitable candidate be nominated, an award for outstanding leadership and service is presented at the annual conference.
We need safe spaces to discuss and work through the pain that has just been inflicted upon our fellow humans, upon members of our community. Let’s do everything within our power to create communities of safety and refuge. It’s always the time to offer our love and care to those in pain.
The senseless violence that occurred this morning in Orlando increased the particular sense of vulnerability that LGBTQ+ people live with every day. It is a reminder to all of us of the vital importance of the entire world community standing together against all forms of hatred and intolerance, to build a beloved community where none need fear being singled out because of who they are, because of how they worship, or because of whom they love.
Jesus turned everything upside down. No sorting of people into social bins. Jesus ignored the social norms that spell out the who, when and what of the Kingdom. The Kingdom is full of surprises. The first shall be last. All are invited, the clean and the unclean. All are loved. All persons are of worth: free and slave, women and men. Everything is upside down and no one is excluded from the Kingdom as unworthy.
A lesbian couple who stopped by were delighted to learn that Affirmation had a place for them even though they had left the Church long ago, while it also had a place for their devout, believing family and friends. Another lesbian woman I spoke to shared her faith and her testimony with me, as she also shared the intense conflict she experienced, and was grateful to learn about Affirmation’s Prepare group, for church-active LGBT Mormons.
We strongly encourage fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters, relatives and leaders to protect their loved ones, especially LGBT youth who are exposed to ridicule which has caused suicides. We advocate avoidance of public discourse that undermines human dignity, instead promoting fruits of the Spirit such as love, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, temperance, and meekness.
Exhortamos fuertemente a Padres, Madres, Hermanos, Hermanas, Familiares y Líderes a proteger a sus seres amados, especialmente a los y las Jóvenes que con esta atracción son expuestos al escarnio que ha provocado suicidios. Abogamos el evitar de los discursos públicos que menoscaban la dignidad humana, fomentando por el contrario los frutos del espíritu como el Amor, la Paz, la Paciencia, la Benignidad, la Bondad, La Fe, la Templanza, la Mansedumbre.
This woman, one day, on campus she put up a sign that said, “Be Brave.” She made it out of paper and yarn and stuff, and she put it up. I had no idea who had made it. She put up this sign that just happened to be on my bike ride onto campus. And she put it up right around the time of the policy. So the first time I saw it, I thought, “Wow. This is a message for me.”