Date: Tue, 4 Aug 1998 12:09:06 -0700 (PDT) From: Ron Buckmire Subject: qrd/religion/org Date: Sun, 2 Aug 1998 23:33:04 -0700 (PDT) From: "Channel Q News" Subject: Channel Q Digest for 8/2/98 -> Affirmation Press Release ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: 2 Aug 1998 10:29:42 -0700 From: "Channel Q News Desk" Subject: Affirmation Press Release Gay Mormon Conference Speakers and Workshops Present Challenges and Hope to Church Members Portland, OR, August 1, 1998: Affirmation, a gay religiously based organization, has announced that it will hold its 20th international conference over the upcoming Labor Day weekend, September 4-7, 1998 in Portland, Oregon. While it is no longer unusual to hear of conferences dealing with religious and social topics from a gay and lesbian perspective,this conference is different. Affirmation happens to be an international organization of gay, lesbian and bisexual Mormons, members of a church that is decidedly unfriendly to gays and lesbians. What brings Affirmation members from around the world to Portland is the opportunity to spend a weekend together in a supportive environment with outstanding speakers, a wide variety of workshops, and time to worship, discuss and learn together from each others experiences. The conference includes a variety of engaging speakers and topics. Chris Kimball, law professor at Boston University and one of former church president Spencer W. Kimball's grandsons will speak on gay marriage. Bob Smith, co-chair of the Multnomah County (Oregon) Aging Commission will address aging in the gay community. Cindy Le Fever, outspoken Mormon feminist and writer, will analyze church teachings to reveal how the church's anti-gay position creates a dangerous climate not only for gays but for Mormon families too. Allison Bingham, Ph.D., director of Affirmation's Youth Referral Services, will chair a presentation on addressing the needs of gay youth in the church. Frank Mensel, of Family Fellowship, an organization for supportive Mormon parents of gays and lesbians, will give an opening address entitled "Higher Morality-Greater Love," in which he calls on church members to show greater acceptance of their gay and lesbian family members. Jeff Jensen, M.D., will provide a critical response to the Mormon church's endorsement of "reparative therapy," a controversial and discredited method for changing gays into heterosexuals. Brigham Young once declared that the Mormon people must have entertainment as well as religion, and this conference follows that tradition. Conference attendees will be treated to a wide array of high-quality entertainment, including a hilarious revue headlined by the Saliva Sisters, a three-woman singing act from Salt Lake City, that brings the house down wherever they perform. Also included is a special piano concert of classical music by 20th century gay composers. The Portland Gay Men's Chorus will also do a special performance of "Prayers for Bobby." The conference will close with a scenic brunch cruise down the beautiful Willamette River. For more information about the conference, please call the Affirmation: Gay & Lesbian Mormon Conference hotline at (503) 288-2037, send email to rfhm@northwest.com, or visit the Affirmation web site at www.affirmation.org. Affirmation: Gay and Lesbian Mormons, is a nonprofit educational fellowship group serving gay and lesbian Latter-day Saints, their families and friends since 1977. It is a place for open, honest dialogue, friendship and support. All are welcome, regardless of gender, orientation or religious affiliation. Affirmation may be contacted by mail at P. O. Box 46022, Los Angeles CA, 90046, by phone at (213) 255-7251, or through the Internet at http://www.affirmation.org. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- End of Digest