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Affirmation: the Gay and Lesbian Mormons records, 1977-2010
Overview of the Collection
- Creator
- Affirmation: Gay & Lesbian Mormons (Organization)
- Title
- Affirmation: the Gay and Lesbian Mormons records
- Dates
- 1977-2010 (inclusive)19772010
- Quantity
- 6.75 linear feet, (13 boxes)
- Collection Number
- ACCN 1867
- Summary
- Affirmation: the Gay and Lesbian Mormons records contains correspondence, conference materials, flyers, programs, brochures, newsletters, and news clippings, most dealing with the Affirmation organization. Affirmation is a non-profit organization formed in 1977 and serves members of the LDS Church by holding conferences, workshops, programs, and publishing newsletters all over the United States. Other organizations represented in the records include the Gamofites (Gay Mormon Fathers) and the Family Fellowship Organization.
- Repository
-
University of Utah Libraries, Special Collections
Special Collections, J. Willard Marriott Library
University of Utah
295 South 1500 East
Salt Lake City, UT
84112-0860
Telephone: 8015818863
special@library.utah.edu - Access Restrictions
-
Twenty-four hour advanced notice encouraged. Materials must be used on-site. Access to parts of this collection may be restricted under provisions of state or federal law.
- Languages
- English
Historical NoteReturn to Top
The Affirmation organization (formed in 1977) Is a non-profit that serves Gay and Lesbian members and former members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) by holding conferences, workshops, programs, and publishing a number of newsletters all over the United States.
Content DescriptionReturn to Top
The Affirmation: Gay and Lesbian Mormons records (1977-2004) contains correspondence, conference materials, flyers, programs, brochures, newsletters, and news clippings. Most of the records primarily deal with Affirmation, as well as the Gamofites (derived from Gay Mormon Fathers) and the Family Fellowship Organization.
The first addendum (1985-2000) contains correspondence, transcripts of e-mail messages, a petition, a handbook, by-laws, newsletters, articles, essays, and other publications regarding the Affirmation organization. This information pertains to boxes 4-5 of the collection.
The second addendum (1977-2000) contains correspondence, financial and organizational materials, newsletters, and other documents pertaining to the Gay and Lesbian Mormons. This information pertains to boxes 6-11 of the collection.
The third addendum (1978-2004) contains correspondence, financial statements, minutes of meetings, pamphlets, and membership statements. These documents are in relationship to the Los Angeles Chapter of Affirmation and are found in box 12.
The fourth addendum (2006-2010) contains copies of Affinity, a monthly Affirmation newsletter. These materials are found in box 12 folders 20-21 and in box 13.
Digitized materials are restricted to the J. Willard Marriott Library Special Collections' Reading Room. Click here to view the thumbnails and metadata on the Digital Library.
Use of the CollectionReturn to Top
Restrictions on Use
The library does not claim to control copyright for all materials in the collection. An individual depicted in a reproduction has privacy rights as outlined in Title 45 CFR, part 46 (Protection of Human Subjects). For further information, please review the J. Willard Marriott Library's Use Agreement and Reproduction Request forms.
Preferred Citation
Collection Name, Collection Number, Box Number, Folder Number. Special Collections, J. Willard Marriott Library, The University of Utah.
Administrative InformationReturn to Top
Acquisition Information
Boxes 1-3 were donated by Jay Bell in 2001.
Boxes 4-5 were donated by Jay Bell in 2001.
Boxes 6-11 were donated by Jay Bell in 2001.
Box 12 was donated by Hugo Olaiz in 2005.
Box 12 folder 18 was donated in 2005.
Box 12 folder 19 was donated by Hugo Olaiz in 2006.
Box 12 folder 20 was donated by Hugo Olaiz in 2007.
Box 12 folder 21 was donated by Hugo Olaiz in 2008.
Box 12 folder 22 was donated by Hugo Olaiz in 2009.
Box 13 folder 1 was donated by Hugo Olaiz in 2010.
Box 13 folders 2 and 3 were donated by Hugo Olaiz in 2013.
Processing Note
Processed by Sabrina Baksh-Riches, Kate Kimball, Sarah Goodrich, Lindsey Moore, Hannah Waddel and Betsey Welland from 2001-2019.
Click here to read a statement on harmful language in library records.
Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top
General MaterialsReturn to Top
| Container(s) | Description | Dates | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Box | Folder | ||
| 1 | 1 | Correspondence |
1994-2001 |
| 1 | 2 | Affirmation, Organization Information, History, and Conference Materials |
1995-1998 |
| 1 | 3 | "Different Dimensions of Gay Fatherhood" |
1999 |
| 1 | 4 | Family Fellowship, Pamphlets and Flyers |
|
| 1 | 5 | Flyers |
1998 |
| 1 | 6 | Programs and Brochures |
1996-1997 |
| 1 | 7 | Newsclippings |
NewslettersReturn to Top
| Container(s) | Description | Dates | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Box | Folder | ||
| 2 | 1 | Advent |
1995 |
| 2 | 2-9 | Affinity |
1992-1999 |
| 2 | 10 | Affirmation, Chapter at Large |
1996 |
| 2 | 11 | Affirmation, Arizona Chapter |
1993-1998 |
| 2 | 12 | Affirmation, Las Vegas Chapter |
1996-1998 |
| 2 | 13 | Affirmation, Los Angeles Chapter |
1994 |
| 2 | 14 | Affirmation, Orange County and Long Beach Chapter |
1994-1995 |
| 2 | 15 | Affirmation, New York City Chapter |
1998 |
| 2 | 16 | Affirmation, San Diego Chapter |
1993-1994 |
| 2 | 17 | Affirmation, San Francisco Chapter |
1993-1997 |
| 2 | 18-21 | Affirmation, Wasatch Chapter |
1991-2001 |
| 2 | 22-23 | Affirmation, Washington, D.C., Chapter |
1993-1998 |
| 3 | 1 | Flamingo News |
1989 |
| 3 | 2-3 | Gamofite News |
1995-2000 |
| 3 | 4 | Gotham Gazette |
1995 |
| 3 | 5 | The Great Lakes Beacon |
1992 |
| 3 | 6-7 | The Open Closet |
1994-2000 |
| 3 | 8-10 | Reflections |
1994-2000 |
| 3 | 11 | Reunion: The Family Fellowship Newsletter |
1994-2000 |
| 3 | 12 | Theocentric |
1993-1995 |
General materialsReturn to Top
| Container(s) | Description | Dates | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Box | Folder | ||
| 4 | 1 | Alan Blodgett, Correspondence |
1995 |
| 4 | 2 | E-Mail Transcripts |
1995 |
| 4 | 3 | Affirmation, General Charter and By-Laws |
1998 |
| 4 | 4 | Affirmation |
General Handbook |
| 4 | 5 | Affirmations: A Select Anthology of Writings for Gay and Lesbian Mormons |
1985 |
| 4 | 6 | Parents, Families, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG), Public Referral Directory |
1996 |
| 4 | 7 | Petition
This folder contains a petition to the general authorities of the LDS Church from gay and lesbian Mormons, their parents, and other family members and friends regarding church policies.
|
Various PublicationsReturn to Top
| Container(s) | Description | Dates | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Box | Folder | ||
| 5 | 1 | Kathleen Baoatwright, "The Dilemma of the Lesbian/Gay Family" |
|
| 5 | 2 | "Decisions of the Soul," |
1995 |
| 5 | 3 | Cloy Jenkins, Prologue: An Examination of the Mormon Attitude towards Homosexuality |
1989 |
| 5 | 4 | Jeffrey R. Jensen, "Fabricating Then Treating a Mental Illness: A Critique of the So-Called 'Reparative Therapies,'" Outline |
1998 |
| 5 | 5-8 | James Kent, "Philly News," Volumes 2-5 |
1994-1998 |
| 5 | 9 | Alan David Lach, Homosexuality and Scripture |
1988-1989 |
| 5 | 10 | Mac Madsen, "The Pernicious Nature of Homophobia" |
|
| 5 | 11 | New Direction |
|
| 5 | 12 | Robert A. Rees, "In a Dark Time the Eye Begins to See," |
2000 |
| 5 | 13 | Walter Lee Szymanski, "Ministry with the Lesbian/Gay Community" |
CorrespondenceReturn to Top
| Container(s) | Description | Dates | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Box | Folder | ||
| 6 | 1 | Affinity |
1995-1996 |
| 6 | 2 | Cornerstone |
1996-1998 |
| 6 | 3 | Dialogue |
1981-1982 |
| 6 | 4 | General Correspondence |
1995-1998 |
| 6 | 5 | Q-Saints |
1995-1996 |
| 6 | 6 | Email Reponses |
1996-1997 |
| 6 | 7 | Renewal Forms |
|
| 6 | 8-9 | Addresses |
1995-1999 |
Organizational MaterialsReturn to Top
| Container(s) | Description | Dates | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Box | |||
| 7 | Financial Documents |
1995-1998 | |
| Folder | |||
| 8 | 1 | By-Laws |
1985-1992 |
| 8 | 2 | Constitution |
|
| 8 | 3 | General Handbook |
|
| 8 | 4 | Meeting Minutes and Literature |
1985-1986 |
| 8 | 5 | General Council |
1985-1986 |
| 8 | 6 | Subcommittee on Homosexuality |
1981 |
| 8 | 7 | Affirmation History |
1977-1981 |
| 8 | 8 | Homosexual Orientation |
1981 |
| 8 | 9 | Public Relations and Education |
1987-1990 |
| 8 | 10 | H.E.L.P. (Homsexual Education for Latter-day Saint Parents) |
1984-1986 |
| 8 | 11 | Business Cards |
|
| 8 | 12 | Forms |
|
| 8 | 13-14 | Leadership |
1997-1998 |
| 8 | 15 | Chapter-at-large |
1986 |
| 8 | 16 | New Inquiries |
1985 |
| 8 | 17 | Affirmation Lists |
1995-1997 |
| 8 | 18 | Literature |
1980-1988 |
| 8 | 19 | Newsclipping and Articles |
1978-1998 |
Group ChaptersReturn to Top
| Container(s) | Description | Dates | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Box | Folder | ||
| 9 | 1 | Arizona Chapter |
1986-1987 |
| 9 | 2 | Colorado Chapter |
1996 |
| 9 | 3-4 | Gamofites |
1995-1996 |
| 9 | 5 | Las Vegas Chapter |
1998 |
| 9 | 6 | Los Angeles Chapter |
1986-1995 |
| 9 | 7 | New York Chapter |
1986 |
| 9 | 8 | Northwest Gamofites |
1998 |
| 9 | 9 | San Diego Chapter |
1986-1987 |
| 9 | 10 | San Francisco Chapter |
1983-1987 |
| 9 | 11 | San Francisco Gamofites |
1994-1998 |
| 9 | 12 | Utah Gamofites, 1992-1998 |
|
| 9 | 13 | Wasatch Affirmation |
1986-2000 |
| 9 | 14 | Sunstone |
1984-1985 |
| 9 | 15 | Black Mountain Campground |
1985 |
| 9 | 16 | Family Home Evening Topics |
|
| 9 | 17 | Luncheon |
1998 |
| 9 | 18 | Palm Springs |
1979-1985 |
| 9 | 19 | "Reno Bugle" |
1989 |
| 9 | 20 | Miscellaneous Documents |
1988 |
ConferencesReturn to Top
| Container(s) | Description | Dates | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Box | Folder | ||
| 10 | 1 | National Conference |
1986-1997 |
| 10 | 2 | National Affirmation Conference |
1994-1995 |
| 10 | 3 | General Conference |
1988 |
| 10 | 4 | Seattle Conference |
1994-1997 |
| 10 | 5 | Palm Springs Conference |
1995-1997 |
| 10 | 6 | Leadership Conference |
1997 |
| 10 | 7 | Affirmation Conference |
1998 |
| 10 | 8-9 | Conference |
1998 |
| 10 | 10 | Phoenix Conference |
1998 |
| 10 | 11 | "Everything's Coming up Roses," Gamofite Retreat |
1999 |
NewslettersReturn to Top
| Container(s) | Description | Dates | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Box | Folder | ||
| 11 | 1-8 | "Affinity" |
1981-1998 |
| 11 | 9 | "Affirmation" |
1995-2000 |
| 11 | 10 | "Flamingo" |
1988 |
| 11 | 11 | "Gamofite News" |
1998 |
| 11 | 12 | "Gotham Gazette" |
1995 |
| 11 | 13 | "New Direction" |
Numbers 1-10 |
| 11 | 14 | "The Open Closet" |
1997 |
| 11 | 15 | "Reflections" |
1995-1997 |
| 11 | 16 | "Reunion" |
1997-1999 |
| 11 | 17 | "Wasatch Affirmation" |
1997 |
General MaterialsReturn to Top
| Container(s) | Description | Dates | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Box | Folder | ||
| 12 | 1 | Correspondence
Correspondence regarding meetings, revisions of the constitution, and membership.
|
1983-1985 |
| 12 | 2 | Financial Statements
Los Angeles chapter monthly and yearly financial expenditures.
|
1981-1984 |
| 12 | 3 | Affirmation Constitution
Los Angeles chapter constituion which addresses the ogranizations purpose, membership, legislation, by laws, and the appointment or removal of officers.
|
1984 |
| 12 | 4 | Minutes of Meetings
Includes schedules, topics of discussion, and number attended.
|
1982-1985 |
| 12 | 5 | Agenda
Schedules for board meetings.
|
1984-1985 |
| 12 | 6 | Board and Committee Members
Names, addresses, and phone numbers.
|
1984 |
| 12 | 7 | Membership Statement
A tally of members and the number of individuals and organizations that receive Affinity newsletters.
|
1984 |
| 12 | 8 | Official Ballots
Election of five members for the Los Angeles Chapter Board of Directors.
|
1984 |
| 12 | 9 | Officer Meeting Notes
Handwritten administrative notes.
|
1983 |
| 12 | 10 | Affinity Newsletters
Monthly newsletters issued by Affirmation committee members.
|
2003-2004 |
| 12 | 11 | Program
20th Annual International Conference held in Portland, Oregon.
|
1998 |
| 12 | 12 | Pamphlets
Affirmation issued pamphlets that discuss Mormon attitudes towards homosexuality and excommunication. Folder also contains an anthology of writings by gay and lesbian Mormons.
|
1978-1985 |
| 12 | 13 | Photos
A collection of cropped photos from yearly conferences.
|
1999-2001 |
| 12 | 14 | Affirmation Business Card |
|
| 12 | 15 | Gay 800
National toll free gay information.
|
1984 |
| 12 | 16 | A Plea to Seek Revelation on Homosexuality and Let Our Light Shine |
|
| 12 | 17 | Newspaper Clippings
Articles in relationship to homosexuals and the LDS Church.
|
1984-2003 |
| 12 | 18 | Affinity Masters |
2004-2005 |
| 12 | 19 |
Unto All Peoples and Other Publications of The Restoration Church of Jesus Christ |
1988-1995 |
| 12 | 20 | Affinity Newsletters |
2006 |
| 12 | 21 | Affinity Newsletters |
2007 |
| 12 | 22 | Affinity Newsletters |
2008 |
| 13 | 1 | Affinity Newsletters |
2009 |
| 13 | 2 | Affinity Newsletters |
2010 |
| 13 | 3 | Affinity: The First 22 Years |
2002 |
Names and SubjectsReturn to Top
Subject Terms
- Homosexuality--Religious aspects--Latter Day Saint churches
- Latter Day Saint gay people
Corporate Names
- Affirmation: Gay & Lesbian Mormons (Organization)--Archives
Form or Genre Terms
- Brochures
- Clippings (Books, newspapers, etc.)
- Correspondence
- Newsletters
- Programs (Publications)
Finding aid created by Sabrina Baksh-Riches.
2003 (last modified: 2006-2019)
