Brian DJ Hyer Thompson

Brian David James Hyer Thompson was born on June 22, 1967. During his life he was intensely involved in the LDS Church, Affirmation (Gay and Lesbian Mormons), and the community at large. He graduated from Bingham High School in South Jordan, Utah. After serving a Mormon mission in Seattle, he returned to Utah, where he was elected president of the Utah Log Cabin Republicans and participated in several gay and lesbian organizations. DJ had a strong connection with Mormonism, especially through Affirmation, Reconciliation, and his Salt Lake City singles ward in the Avenues. Years after coming out, he was still attending that ward and discussing gay issues with his bishop. DJ was a strong advocate for gay rights. He was proud to be gay and proud to be Mormon. DJ lived in many places and tried very hard to find happiness. He loved French culture and once traveled to Paris as an artist's assistant. He loved movies, paintings, and art. He loved hiking, nature, and animals�especially cats. He loved to grow flowers and was a talented cook. At the time of his death, DJ was living with a gay couple near Kingman, Arizona. He was very frustrated over the LDS Church's involvement with Proposition 22 in California and the recent suicide of Stuart Matis. DJ committed suicide near Kingman, Arizona, on March 9, 2000. He was 32 years old. On March 19, 2000, in the middle of a raging snowstorm, Affirmation held a memorial service at St. Mark's Cathedral in Salt Lake City. Some 200 people and the Salt Lake Men's Choir gave tribute to DJ and Stuart Matis. Friends played some of the songs that DJ requested in his letter. DJ was survived by his parents, aunts, uncles, and cousins, and his Affirmation friends. He is buried at the South Jordan Cemetery in Utah.