Affirmation: the Gay and Lesbian Mormons records, 1977-2010
Table of Contents
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
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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
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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.
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.
- Languages
- English
Historical Note
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 Description
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.
Click here to view digitized materials from the collection or visit ArchivesSpace for an container level list of digitized materials.
Use of the Collection
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 Information
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 Collection
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General Materials
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Description: CorrespondenceDates: 1994-2001Container: Box 1, Folder 1
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Description: Affirmation, Organization Information, History, and Conference MaterialsDates: 1995-1998Container: Box 1, Folder 2
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Description: "Different Dimensions of Gay Fatherhood"Dates: 1999Container: Box 1, Folder 3
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Description: Family Fellowship, Pamphlets and FlyersContainer: Box 1, Folder 4
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Description: FlyersDates: 1998Container: Box 1, Folder 5
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Description: Programs and BrochuresDates: 1996-1997Container: Box 1, Folder 6
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Description: NewsclippingsContainer: Box 1, Folder 7
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Newsletters
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Description: AdventDates: 1995Container: Box 2, Folder 1
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Description: AffinityDates: 1992-1999Container: Box 2, Folder 2-9
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Description: Affirmation, Chapter at LargeDates: 1996Container: Box 2, Folder 10
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Description: Affirmation, Arizona ChapterDates: 1993-1998Container: Box 2, Folder 11
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Description: Affirmation, Las Vegas ChapterDates: 1996-1998Container: Box 2, Folder 12
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Description: Affirmation, Los Angeles ChapterDates: 1994Container: Box 2, Folder 13
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Description: Affirmation, Orange County and Long Beach ChapterDates: 1994-1995Container: Box 2, Folder 14
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Description: Affirmation, New York City ChapterDates: 1998Container: Box 2, Folder 15
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Description: Affirmation, San Diego ChapterDates: 1993-1994Container: Box 2, Folder 16
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Description: Affirmation, San Francisco ChapterDates: 1993-1997Container: Box 2, Folder 17
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Description: Affirmation, Wasatch ChapterDates: 1991-2001Container: Box 2, Folder 18-21
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Description: Affirmation, Washington, D.C., ChapterDates: 1993-1998Container: Box 2, Folder 22-23
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Description: Flamingo NewsDates: 1989Container: Box 3, Folder 1
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Description: Gamofite NewsDates: 1995-2000Container: Box 3, Folder 2-3
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Description: Gotham GazetteDates: 1995Container: Box 3, Folder 4
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Description: The Great Lakes BeaconDates: 1992Container: Box 3, Folder 5
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Description: The Open ClosetDates: 1994-2000Container: Box 3, Folder 6-7
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Description: ReflectionsDates: 1994-2000Container: Box 3, Folder 8-10
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Description: Reunion: The Family Fellowship NewsletterDates: 1994-2000Container: Box 3, Folder 11
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Description: TheocentricDates: 1993-1995Container: Box 3, Folder 12
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General materials
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Description: Alan Blodgett, CorrespondenceDates: 1995Container: Box 4, Folder 1
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Description: E-Mail TranscriptsDates: 1995Container: Box 4, Folder 2
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Description: Affirmation, General Charter and By-LawsDates: 1998Container: Box 4, Folder 3
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Description: AffirmationDates: General HandbookContainer: Box 4, Folder 4
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Description: Affirmations: A Select Anthology of Writings for Gay and Lesbian MormonsDates: 1985Container: Box 4, Folder 5
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Description: Parents, Families, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG), Public Referral DirectoryDates: 1996Container: Box 4, Folder 6
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Description: 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.
Container: Box 4, Folder 7
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Various Publications
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Description: Kathleen Baoatwright, "The Dilemma of the Lesbian/Gay Family"Container: Box 5, Folder 1
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Description: "Decisions of the Soul,"Dates: 1995Container: Box 5, Folder 2
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Description: Cloy Jenkins, Prologue: An Examination of the Mormon Attitude towards HomosexualityDates: 1989Container: Box 5, Folder 3
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Description: Jeffrey R. Jensen, "Fabricating Then Treating a Mental Illness: A Critique of the So-Called 'Reparative Therapies,'" OutlineDates: 1998Container: Box 5, Folder 4
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Description: James Kent, "Philly News," Volumes 2-5Dates: 1994-1998Container: Box 5, Folder 5-8
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Description: Alan David Lach, Homosexuality and ScriptureDates: 1988-1989Container: Box 5, Folder 9
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Description: Mac Madsen, "The Pernicious Nature of Homophobia"Container: Box 5, Folder 10
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Description: New DirectionContainer: Box 5, Folder 11
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Description: Robert A. Rees, "In a Dark Time the Eye Begins to See,"Dates: 2000Container: Box 5, Folder 12
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Description: Walter Lee Szymanski, "Ministry with the Lesbian/Gay Community"Container: Box 5, Folder 13
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Correspondence
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Description: AffinityDates: 1995-1996Container: Box 6, Folder 1
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Description: CornerstoneDates: 1996-1998Container: Box 6, Folder 2
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Description: DialogueDates: 1981-1982Container: Box 6, Folder 3
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Description: General CorrespondenceDates: 1995-1998Container: Box 6, Folder 4
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Description: Q-SaintsDates: 1995-1996Container: Box 6, Folder 5
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Description: Email ReponsesDates: 1996-1997Container: Box 6, Folder 6
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Description: Renewal FormsContainer: Box 6, Folder 7
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Description: AddressesDates: 1995-1999Container: Box 6, Folder 8-9
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Organizational Materials
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Description: Financial DocumentsDates: 1995-1998Container: Box 7
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Description: By-LawsDates: 1985-1992Container: Box 8, Folder 1
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Description: ConstitutionContainer: Box 8, Folder 2
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Description: General HandbookContainer: Box 8, Folder 3
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Description: Meeting Minutes and LiteratureDates: 1985-1986Container: Box 8, Folder 4
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Description: General CouncilDates: 1985-1986Container: Box 8, Folder 5
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Description: Subcommittee on HomosexualityDates: 1981Container: Box 8, Folder 6
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Description: Affirmation HistoryDates: 1977-1981Container: Box 8, Folder 7
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Description: Homosexual OrientationDates: 1981Container: Box 8, Folder 8
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Description: Public Relations and EducationDates: 1987-1990Container: Box 8, Folder 9
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Description: H.E.L.P. (Homsexual Education for Latter-day Saint Parents)Dates: 1984-1986Container: Box 8, Folder 10
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Description: Business CardsContainer: Box 8, Folder 11
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Description: FormsContainer: Box 8, Folder 12
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Description: LeadershipDates: 1997-1998Container: Box 8, Folder 13-14
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Description: Chapter-at-largeDates: 1986Container: Box 8, Folder 15
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Description: New InquiriesDates: 1985Container: Box 8, Folder 16
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Description: Affirmation ListsDates: 1995-1997Container: Box 8, Folder 17
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Description: LiteratureDates: 1980-1988Container: Box 8, Folder 18
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Description: Newsclipping and ArticlesDates: 1978-1998Container: Box 8, Folder 19
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Group Chapters
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Description: Arizona ChapterDates: 1986-1987Container: Box 9, Folder 1
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Description: Colorado ChapterDates: 1996Container: Box 9, Folder 2
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Description: GamofitesDates: 1995-1996Container: Box 9, Folder 3-4
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Description: Las Vegas ChapterDates: 1998Container: Box 9, Folder 5
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Description: Los Angeles ChapterDates: 1986-1995Container: Box 9, Folder 6
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Description: New York ChapterDates: 1986Container: Box 9, Folder 7
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Description: Northwest GamofitesDates: 1998Container: Box 9, Folder 8
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Description: San Diego ChapterDates: 1986-1987Container: Box 9, Folder 9
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Description: San Francisco ChapterDates: 1983-1987Container: Box 9, Folder 10
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Description: San Francisco GamofitesDates: 1994-1998Container: Box 9, Folder 11
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Description: Utah Gamofites, 1992-1998Container: Box 9, Folder 12
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Description: Wasatch AffirmationDates: 1986-2000Container: Box 9, Folder 13
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Description: SunstoneDates: 1984-1985Container: Box 9, Folder 14
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Description: Black Mountain CampgroundDates: 1985Container: Box 9, Folder 15
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Description: Family Home Evening TopicsContainer: Box 9, Folder 16
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Description: LuncheonDates: 1998Container: Box 9, Folder 17
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Description: Palm SpringsDates: 1979-1985Container: Box 9, Folder 18
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Description: "Reno Bugle"Dates: 1989Container: Box 9, Folder 19
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Description: Miscellaneous DocumentsDates: 1988Container: Box 9, Folder 20
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Conferences
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Description: National ConferenceDates: 1986-1997Container: Box 10, Folder 1
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Description: National Affirmation ConferenceDates: 1994-1995Container: Box 10, Folder 2
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Description: General ConferenceDates: 1988Container: Box 10, Folder 3
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Description: Seattle ConferenceDates: 1994-1997Container: Box 10, Folder 4
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Description: Palm Springs ConferenceDates: 1995-1997Container: Box 10, Folder 5
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Description: Leadership ConferenceDates: 1997Container: Box 10, Folder 6
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Description: Affirmation ConferenceDates: 1998Container: Box 10, Folder 7
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Description: ConferenceDates: 1998Container: Box 10, Folder 8-9
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Description: Phoenix ConferenceDates: 1998Container: Box 10, Folder 10
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Description: "Everything's Coming up Roses," Gamofite RetreatDates: 1999Container: Box 10, Folder 11
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Newsletters
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Description: "Affinity"Dates: 1981-1998Container: Box 11, Folder 1-8
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Description: "Affirmation"Dates: 1995-2000Container: Box 11, Folder 9
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Description: "Flamingo"Dates: 1988Container: Box 11, Folder 10
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Description: "Gamofite News"Dates: 1998Container: Box 11, Folder 11
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Description: "Gotham Gazette"Dates: 1995Container: Box 11, Folder 12
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Description: "New Direction"Dates: Numbers 1-10Container: Box 11, Folder 13
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Description: "The Open Closet"Dates: 1997Container: Box 11, Folder 14
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Description: "Reflections"Dates: 1995-1997Container: Box 11, Folder 15
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Description: "Reunion"Dates: 1997-1999Container: Box 11, Folder 16
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Description: "Wasatch Affirmation"Dates: 1997Container: Box 11, Folder 17
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General Materials
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Description: Correspondence
Correspondence regarding meetings, revisions of the constitution, and membership.
Dates: 1983-1985Container: Box 12, Folder 1 -
Description: Financial Statements
Los Angeles chapter monthly and yearly financial expenditures.
Dates: 1981-1984Container: Box 12, Folder 2 -
Description: Affirmation Constitution
Los Angeles chapter constituion which addresses the ogranizations purpose, membership, legislation, by laws, and the appointment or removal of officers.
Dates: 1984Container: Box 12, Folder 3 -
Description: Minutes of Meetings
Includes schedules, topics of discussion, and number attended.
Dates: 1982-1985Container: Box 12, Folder 4 -
Description: Agenda
Schedules for board meetings.
Dates: 1984-1985Container: Box 12, Folder 5 -
Description: Board and Committee Members
Names, addresses, and phone numbers.
Dates: 1984Container: Box 12, Folder 6 -
Description: Membership Statement
A tally of members and the number of individuals and organizations that receive Affinity newsletters.
Dates: 1984Container: Box 12, Folder 7 -
Description: Official Ballots
Election of five members for the Los Angeles Chapter Board of Directors.
Dates: 1984Container: Box 12, Folder 8 -
Description: Officer Meeting Notes
Handwritten administrative notes.
Dates: 1983Container: Box 12, Folder 9 -
Description: Affinity Newsletters
Monthly newsletters issued by Affirmation committee members.
Dates: 2003-2004Container: Box 12, Folder 10 -
Description: Program
20th Annual International Conference held in Portland, Oregon.
Dates: 1998Container: Box 12, Folder 11 -
Description: Pamphlets
Affirmation issued pamphlets that discuss Mormon attitudes towards homosexuality and excommunication. Folder also contains an anthology of writings by gay and lesbian Mormons.
Dates: 1978-1985Container: Box 12, Folder 12 -
Description: Photos
A collection of cropped photos from yearly conferences.
Dates: 1999-2001Container: Box 12, Folder 13 -
Description: Affirmation Business CardContainer: Box 12, Folder 14
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Description: Gay 800
National toll free gay information.
Dates: 1984Container: Box 12, Folder 15 -
Description: A Plea to Seek Revelation on Homosexuality and Let Our Light ShineContainer: Box 12, Folder 16
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Description: Newspaper Clippings
Articles in relationship to homosexuals and the LDS Church.
Dates: 1984-2003Container: Box 12, Folder 17 -
Description: Affinity MastersDates: 2004-2005Container: Box 12, Folder 18
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Description: Unto All Peoples and Other Publications of The Restoration Church of Jesus ChristDates: 1988-1995Container: Box 12, Folder 19
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Description: Affinity NewslettersDates: 2006Container: Box 12, Folder 20
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Description: Affinity NewslettersDates: 2007Container: Box 12, Folder 21
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Description: Affinity NewslettersDates: 2008Container: Box 12, Folder 22
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Description: Affinity NewslettersDates: 2009Container: Box 13, Folder 1
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Description: Affinity NewslettersDates: 2010Container: Box 13, Folder 2
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Description: Affinity: The First 22 YearsDates: 2002Container: Box 13, Folder 3
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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)
