Affirmation: Gay & Lesbian Mormons

Media Contact: Reporters may contact Affirmation's Director of Public Relations, Micah Bisson, by e-mail or at 303-339-0184.

For a full list of possible contacts, please go to Contact Us.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Affirmation?

Affirmation supports LGBT Mormons (active, less active, or former members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) and their supportive friends and family members. Affirmation members come from every walk of life, and serve or have served in virtually every position in the church. We affirm that we are children of Heavenly Parents who love us the way we were created and that we will be judged, not on our sexual orientation, but on what we make of our lives here and how we treat our sisters and brothers.

What is Affirmation’s membership makeup?

A survey of 104 Affirmation members who attended the 2008 Affirmation conference in Los Angeles gave the following results:

Current Church Members		56.7%
	Holds Temple Recommend		3.8%
	Attends Regularly		10.6%
	Does Not Attend Regularly		42.3%
Resigned Membership		11.5%
Excommunicated		19.2%
Never Been a Member		12.5%

How and when did Affirmation begin?

Affirmation was founded in 1977 in Salt Lake City by Matthew Price. Affirmation grew out of very quiet meetings Price and other students had been holding at church-owned Brigham Young University. Other chapters soon formed in Denver, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Washington DC, with growth continuing to this day.

More on our history

Where does Affirmation have local chapters?

See our current list of chapters and groups. Affirmation also has service groups for women's concerns, youth services, and transgender issues.

What do local chapters do?

Affirmation chapters typically meet at least once a month. Meetings may be social, educational or spiritual in nature. Examples of meetings include: open discussions, formal meetings where there is a speaker, potluck socials, outings to an event, and spiritual meetings, such as scripture study, prayer or singing.

Does Affirmation provide religious services?

No. Affirmation is not a religion or church, so it does not perform or officially endorse priesthood functions. Members seeking such services are referred to local churches.

What does Affirmation believe?

Affirmation believes that homosexuality is an inherent and normal variation of human sexuality. However, many harmful misconceptions persist regarding homosexuality. Affirmation helps our members work toward reconciliation by affirming both their sexuality and their spiritual values. We believe that through affirming our Mormon cultural, spiritual, and religious heritage, we move the work of reconciliation forward. At the same time, we seek, through education and outreach, to eliminate the prejudices and misconceptions about homosexuality that harm both gay and straight people in the church.

What is the relationship between the Mormon Church and Affirmation?

There is no official relationship. We are completely separate and independent. From Affirmation's perspective, however, we have always been open to and continue to seek dialogue with church leaders. From the official church's perspective, we are largely unacknowledged. Nevertheless, individual church leaders and congregations have periodically welcomed Affirmation and its members in formal and informal study groups and church activities.

Does Affirmation have an official publication?

Affirmation publishes a monthly newsletter called Affinity and a weekly message, The Affirmation Messenger. Some local chapters also publish their own local newsletters.

How much traffic does your website handle?

The Affirmation national website (www.affirmation.org) receives an average of 6,552 hits (visits to individual pages) per day. The Spanish site (www.afirmacion.org) receives an average of 955 hits per day (information updated on June, 2008).

Who are Affirmation's leaders?

Affirmation is governed by its members, under the direction of a President and two Vice Presidents. The current President is David Melson and the two vice presidents are George Cole and Micah Bisson.

How often does Affirmation have conferences?

Affirmation conferences are held once a year, typically in the fall. The location varies with most conferences being held in the West. Besides the annual conference, regional conferences and events are held in different parts of the country.

Information about the upcoming Affirmation conference

How do I arrange interviews with specific persons (e.g., leaders)?

Contact Affirmation's Director of Public Relations, who will gladly help you find any party you wish to interview. Feel free otherwise to request an interview from anyone you can contact directly.