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One of the most powerful ways to achieve LGBT equality is to reach out to people we know – our families, relatives, friends, and neighbors. Those who are uncertain or conflicted about LGBT issues can be engaged in productive dialogue that helps them push past their discomfort and resolve the conflicts that stand in the way of acceptance and understanding. In this Action Group, conference participants will join with representatives from Family Fellowship, Mormons4Marriage, Proposition Healing, LDS Reconciliation, and local LDS wards to explore how to engage in such dialogue.
To bring about change, we must see ourselves as leaders committed to taking dramatic steps that advance LGBT equality. This Action Group will lay a foundation to help participants develop methods of active leadership that:
- interrupt patterns of inequality and oppression.
- hold a different vision of what could be true.
- develop and sustain Communities of Action who work to make these new visions a reality.
This Action Group will be highly interactive with a combination of small- and large-group discussion, some presentations, and even one-on-one dialogues between participants representing different organizations and points of view. Time set aside to identify different organizations’ resources for building bridges with the Mormon community. We will produce talking points and guidelines for engaging Mormon audiences and will practice using some of these messages. Finally, the Action Group will generate a set of potential next steps to remain engaged and work together toward some measurable outcomes.
Creating a safe world for those who have yet to come out in a Mormon environment is one of the most important missions of Affirmation. Stand Up for Understanding is a powerful tool to help us achieve that safe world. Join the discussion on our blog and join us for the “Stand Up for Understanding Action Group” at STAND UP! The 2010 Affirmation Conference, October 8-10 in San Francisco.
Hey I tried to go back to the Dallas 1st ward and there aint nothin that spreads faster through a ward than someone whos been excommunicated, and with a Cedar Springs gaytown address they didnt have to wonder why. After only a few Sundays people were pointing at me and laughing at me in Sacrament Meeting cuz they knew I was gay. The next Sunday I was pushed and shoved down the left aisle of the chapel by men and women who had looks of rage on their faces and they wanted me to leave. I stuck it out for a number of Sundays untill one Sunday when a member of the Stake Presidency came to deliver a message for the First Presidency. He got to a part where he was saying in premise to the message, President…., at that moment a form of light and fire and cloud that looked like a Yoke descended down into the chapel and the 2nd Counselor and others saw it too. It kept descending slowly and he kept saying, President…., President…., President…., untill it settled upon my shoulders and disappeared into my body. Then he said President and was about to point to me and say, that guy sitting there, then struggled to get the name out he was trying to say. It was the Sign of the Mantle that precedes the bestowal of the Mantle as in Elijah and Elisha. A glorious wave of love shall soon settle upon those who desire liberty life love and light for all and shall safely stall us away from the horrors that are soon upon us. Leading us to rebuild a society of love and where committment and covenant in the Temples of our Gods shall include the union between two or more men and two or more women even as they were performed by Moses. Doubt not fear not love already won the war in Gethsemanee and, hath made us an immutable Covenant, haaaaaay. One needed to obtain exaltation along with the Covenant of Wifewomen, the Covenant of Husbandmen. Given as part of a promise to gays and lesbians to provide an acceptable way out of temptation. Might as well JUMP! For Joy! JUMP! These covenants shall soon be given us. Pray for this deliverance, pray for liberty, its all about the love.
Is there any possibility of a session on advocacy and help to straight spouses? I would be delighted to assist in putting something like that together.
I see that there is a Conference Fee, but I am having trouble finding where the exact amount of the fee is located. Anyone know? This would be the defining factor for me as to whether I attend or not.
There’s a special individual event registration fee for the Saturday “action group” sessions, which is $25. Download a PDF of the registration form from the Conference Registration landing page, and you’ll see the line for Individual Events.
Otherwise, the fee to register for the whole conference is $255 if you register by September 15th.