Interview with Affirmation

 David Melson

Can you briefly introduce Affirmation ?

Affirmation: Gay and Lesbian Mormons is an international organization of gay people who share a common Mormon cultural background, and their friends and allies. We represent the full spectrum of feelings toward the LDS Church, we are incredibly diverse in almost every criteria, and we are proud of who we are.

Is it possible to know how many members Affirmation has?

We have approximately 2,000 members on every continent.

Church authorities’ position on homosexuality seems to have evolved recently.  Who and what do you think have generated those changes?

The changes have come from the world around us. As our world and our lives become more complex, we have learned to not only accept, but to celebrate our differences. We are all children of loving Heavenly Parents. To many of us, being gay is one of the greatest blessings that God has given us.

Do you mean it is a natural change and evolution from the church, and not the consequences of specific organizations, individuals or events?

The changes in the world and in society could perhaps be considered natural and evolutionary. The changes in the LDS Church are probably more a reaction to those changes. The Church’s previous intolerance of gay people has led to Church members being less willing to be obedient to the authority of Church leaders, to a drop in the rate of convert baptisms, and to a drop in tithing.

What other changes would you like to see?

We would like to see the LDS church stop trying to destroy families and lives over issues that come from the fear and hatred that it has shown for gay people. We would like to see the end of suicides of gay people marginalized by their church and their family.

What kind of concrete actions can the Church take to move towards this direction?

We would like for the Church to work with us to develop materials to train local leaders and to assist them in counselling gay members and their families. We would like to see a clear and unambiguous statement from the leadership of the Church to the effect that being gay is not a sin, not an illness, not a choice, not something that needs to be changed. We would like to see the LDS Church stop using its time, energies, and money to fight against gay people and against gay civil rights in the political arena. That would be a good start.

Is there a theological foundation for the discrimination imposed on gay LDS?

No. Some will try to confuse being gay with violating chastity; they are, in fact, separate issues. The only reason that most gays do not meet the LDS Church’s standards for chastity is that the Church does not recognize our marriages and our families.

How can a gay person believe the LDS Church is the True Church while he/she is kept aside from the Church?

Most gay people eventually are forced to the conclusion that, although there may be much truth and many things of value within the church, the church is no longer the truth that they seek in their lives. The first and greatest commandment was that we love God and love each other; the church seems to be lacking there.

Your website affirmation.org has a very well done French version. What reason is there to this?

Gay people who speak French face the same types of problems that those who speak English, Spanish, Norwegian, or any other language, particularly within the LDS Church.

Does this mean that the situation of gay Mormons is the same in all countries and has to be treated the same way all over the globe?

The situation is very different from one area to another over the globe; the underlying problems are the same: fear, ignorance, discrimination, marginalization.

What is the situation of French gay LDS ?  Is the situation in France any different than it is in the US?

Many European countries now recognize same-sex marriage, and because there are so many ancient and diverse cultures on an increasingly small continent, Europeans in general, and the French in particular, are often exposed to a broader spectrum of thought. Having said that, the situation in France is different from the U.S. only in that the intensity levels may vary a bit.

What advice would you give to French gay member who feel this feeling of rejection from their Church? As an American-based organization, do you have the means to help/support them?

To a gay Mormon in France, I would say that you are the child of a loving Creator, being gay is a gift that will make you strong and that will teach you to have empathy and love for others. While we do not have all of the resources that we would like, our web site will provide inspiration through the experiences of others who have gone before, our efforts with the church will eventually reduce the level of discrimination, and the presence of other Affirmation members may help to lighten your heart. You are not alone and you are loved.

Being gay is not a sin, it is not a disease, it is not a choice, it is not something to regret or to feel sorry about, it just is. Each day, more of the people in our world are coming to terms with this and moving on with the more important issues of life. Sooner or later, the LDS Church will come to the same conclusion.