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Guest Post: Reflecting on a Queer Mormon Pioneer 30 Years Later

By Corey Clawson Growing up just outside of Logan on through my studies at Utah State University, I regularly crossed paths with May Swenson’s ghost: the poem “Two Part Pear-Able” hanging over the drinking fountain at my father’s office, installing a poem overlooking Bear Lake, and preparing labels for artifacts in the Swenson Room for USU’s English Department. She was a poet to be renowned for her talent and her Mormon Utah roots, but not for her sexuality. As we mark the thirtieth anniversary of her passing, her impact is still felt in our communities, and her influence extends from her...
What is Exponent II?

Exponent II provides Mormon feminist forums for women and gender minorities across the Mormon spectrum to share their diverse life experiences in an atmosphere of trust and acceptance. Through these exchanges, we strive to create a community to better understand and support each other.

Exponent II was founded in 1974 by a group of Mormon women in Cambridge, Massachusetts. These women were inspired by the original periodical, “The Woman’s Exponent,” to create a forum “posed on the dual platforms of Mormonism and Feminism.”

For 50+ years, Exponent II has shared women’s voices in its quarterly magazine, and members of the community have convened at an annual retreat. Our reach has expanded as technology has advanced: the blog, founded in January 2006, has reached millions. As we look to the future, we are focused on growth and building a more inclusive community.