Mourning
Affirmation refused to allow the discrimination and violence against LGBTQIA+ people inside and outside of The United Methodist Church go be ignored. In newsletters, local gatherings, and national events, Affirmation publicly and privately mourning the lives destroyed or lost by firings, attacks, murders, and suicides. By mourning these victims, Affirmation insisted that members of the LGBTQIA+ community were not issues to be debated but rather people to be loved and affirmed.
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A flyer comparing the actions of the Women's Division against Joan Clark to the actions of the Nazis against gays and lesbians.
Who’s Next?
Affirmation was among the loudest voices to protest the 1979 firing of Joan Clark by the Women’s Division of the Board of Global Ministries. Clark was also an early leader involved in Affirmation, and her firing sent shockwaves through The United Methodist Church. It was one of the most high-profile actions taken against a gay or lesbian person employed by The United Methodist Church at that time. Affirmation mourned the firing of the beloved Clark and expressed outrage over the Women’s Division’s decision to fire Clark out of fear. As the Trials section showed, Clark’s ministry would not be the last affected by discrimination in The United Methodist Church.
A flyer announcing a celebration of Clark's ministry after her firing by the Women's Division.
Defiance
Affirmation and allies would not allow discrimination to have the final word in the lives and ministries of LGBTQIA+ Methodists. Celebrations, like the one organized by members of Union Theological Seminary for Clark, affirmed the ministries The United Methodist Church so easily discarded.
A reflection on the policies of The United Methodist Church in light of the murder of Matthew Shepard.
The Deaths of Persons of Sacred Worth
Like many across the nation, Affirmation was shocked and outraged by the 1998 murder of Matthew Shepard. Affirmation argued that The United Methodist Church’s language about homosexuals contributed to violence against them. On one hand, they held “sacred worth,” a phrase used in The Book of Discipline of The United Methodist Church. On the other hand, if they were “self-avowed practicing homosexuals,” they were excluded from ministry in The United Methodist Church. Such exclusion had dire effects.
A request for the names and stories of LGBT United Methodists who were murdered or committed suicide.
Martyrs
Affirmation insisted that the tragedies of murder or suicide within the LGBTQIA+ Methodist community were due at least in part to discrimination within The United Methodist Church. These losses were respectfully reported in Affirmation communications, where members were mourned and their stories were shared as witnesses against The United Methodist Church.
An article detailing recent violence against transgender people.
The Cost of Exclusion
Affirmation drew attention to the significant violence and exclusion transgender people faced. They emphasized how The United Methodist Church’s policies excluded transgender Methodists and contributed to the widespread discrimination transgender people experienced.
A press release concerning the AIDS crisis and its effects on Affirmation and The United Methodist Church.
The AIDS Crisis
Affirmation also brought attention to the ways AIDS affected the community and the problematic response by The United Methodist Church. Affirmation particularly noted how The United Methodist Church ignored or marginalized LGBTQIA+ Methodists until a member contracted HIV, at which point they were exploited either as examples of the harm of the “homosexual lifestyle” to further justify discrimination or as props to demonstrate the compassionate work of the denomination.
A reflection on experiences after the 2004 General Conference.
Grief and Grace
The discrimination faced by LGBTQIA+ Methodists within The United Methodist Church left many feeling silenced. Affirmation provided a platform for people to share their feelings and stories. By giving voice to those grieving loss, rejection, pain, and discrimination, Affirmation cultivated hope and strengthened the resolve to resist the exclusionary practices and policies of The United Methodist Church.
A poem reflecting on Affirmation's history during moments of discrimination in The United Methodist Church.
Affirmation Acts
Affirmation’s network of LGBTQIA+ Methodists, affirming churches, and likeminded organizations allowed those mourning loss and discrimination to find support, encouragement, and community. As the network grew, Affirmation was able to launch initiatives and partnerships that challenged the discriminatory practices and policies of The United Methodist Church.
To build this network, Affirmation engaged in significant outreach at the church, local, regional, national, and international levels. This outreach took different shapes, but focused on empowering LGBTQIA+ people in their struggles for survival and inclusion.