• Distinct Voices, Working Together

    Members of the Circling the Wagons Conferences leadership team may participate in both public and private conversations and statements within their respective spheres or projects. They may include reference to their involvement with Circling the Wagons Conferences by way of openness about their connection with and investment in the issues around being LGBT or SSA […]

  • Standards of Ethical Communication and Conflict Resolution

    DRAFT presented to the Coalition on August 14, 2014 and to the public on August 20, 2014. The intent is to use these Standards to facilitate safe, frank, ethical discussions between Mormons who have a history of disagreeing about the issues surrounding LGBTQ and same-sex attracted Mormons. Our objective is to promote the emotional, social, […]

  • Second Annual Coalition Meeting Opening Remarks

    By Adam Allred Visit the Coalition Website Welcome to the second annual meeting of the Circling the Wagons Coalition. It is exciting for me to be part of a group of individuals who see the value in coming together and are committed to identifying ways to improve the lives of those we all care about: […]

  • Our Circling the Wagons Vision

    As Circling the Wagons 2015 Conference organizers, our vision is to open and expand a more understanding atmosphere for ourselves, for our loved ones with conflicting viewpoints, and especially for quiet onlookers who desperately need someone in their own life to acknowledge and love them where they are, regardless of their belief system, labels, or […]

  • Whom are Circling the Wagons Conferences for?

    Circling the Wagons Conferences are for anyone who values engaging with diverse opinions, beliefs, feelings, and experiences at the heart of LDS/Mormon LGBT/SSA experience in a constructive environment. We especially invite all who will embrace authenticity, empathy, and vulnerability side by side with people from various sides of deep divides to build understanding and better serve […]

  • Salt Lake City 2015 Schedule

    Courageous Conversations Friday and Saturday, 20-21 February, 2015 The Joanne and Richard McGillis School 668 South 1300 East, Salt Lake City, Utah    

  • Salt Lake City 2014 Keynote Session

          Transcripts: Randall Thacker – A Future & A Hope Lee Beckstead – What I’ve Learned from Meeting with my Enemies David Matheson – How do we Handle Ambiguity, Diversity and the Unknown? Back to the Homepage

  • What I’ve Learned From Meeting With My Enemies

    From Left to Right: Jerry Buie, Jim Struve, Justin McPheters, Marybeth Raynes, David Pruden, David Matheson, Lee Beckstead, Shirley Cox     Back to the SLC 2014 Keynote Session

  • A Future & A Hope

        Back to the SLC 2014 Keynote Session

  • How Do We Handle Ambiguity, Diversity and the Unknown?

        Back to the SLC 2014 Keynote Session

  • Empowering Others through Listening and Accepting

    By Anne McMullin Peffer Some members of our community know a lot about what it’s like to live without empowerment. These people understand how difficult it is to continually be on the receiving end of others’ decisions, to not have the ability or freedom to make enough money to provide for themselves, to live without […]

  • Statement of Purpose

    The goal of Circling the Wagons conferences is to create spaces where LGBTQ or SSA Mormons and their families and friends can gather to acknowledge, explore and honor shared experiences. No issues strike more deeply than whom we love and how we understand our beliefs about ourselves and god. These issues carry an especially profound […]

Shared Values

  1. We acknowledge the richness of Mormon heritage, teachings, and community in all of its diversity as well as the pain some experience within Mormon faith communities.
  2. We believe that one can self–identify as Mormon based on one’s genealogy, upbringing, beliefs, relationships, and other life experiences, regardless of one’s adherence or non–adherence to the teachings or doctrines of any religious organization.
  3. We seek spaces where we can live lives of intellectual and spiritual integrity, individual conscience, and personal dignity.
  4. We acknowledge and honor different spiritual paths and modes of religious or non–religious truth–seeking. We respect the convictions of those who subscribe to ideas and beliefs that differ from our own.
  5. We recognize the confusion, distress, emotional trauma, and social ostracism that LGBTQ/SSA Mormons, Mormon feminists, Mormon intellectuals and Mormons on faith journeys often experience. We seek constructive ways of helping and supporting people, regardless of their ultimate decisions regarding sexuality, self-expression, church affiliation or activity.
  6. We affirm the inherent and equal worth of all human beings. We seek spaces where Mormons (and all people) can interact as equals regardless of race, gender, or sexual orientation.

Circling the Wagons Logo

Standards of Ethical Communication and Conflict Resolution

DRAFT presented to the Coalition on August 14, 2014 and to the public on August 20, 2014. The intent is to use these Standards to facilitate safe, frank, ethical discussions between Mormons who have a history of disagreeing about the issues surrounding LGBTQ and same-sex attracted Mormons. Our objective is to promote the emotional, social, […]

Learn More

Our Circling the Wagons Vision

As Circling the Wagons 2015 Conference organizers, our vision is to open and expand a more understanding atmosphere for ourselves, for our loved ones with conflicting viewpoints, and especially for quiet onlookers who desperately need someone in their own life to acknowledge and love them where they are, regardless of their belief system, labels, or […]

Learn More

Whom are Circling the Wagons Conferences for?

Circling the Wagons Conferences are for anyone who values engaging with diverse opinions, beliefs, feelings, and experiences at the heart of LDS/Mormon LGBT/SSA experience in a constructive environment. We especially invite all who will embrace authenticity, empathy, and vulnerability side by side with people from various sides of deep divides to build understanding and better serve […]

Learn More