QSaltLake reports leaders of the gay Mormon group Affirmation are "cautiously optimistic" about their Aug. 8 meeting with LDS Church representatives. New LDS President Thomas Monson, right, says it's OK to talk to gays to "appropriately understand" their points of view.

Affirmation's director Olin Thomas says:

It may be nothing more than a public relations gesture, or it might be the start of something serious, so we want to come prepared. This is not just a casual meeting.

Duane Jennings, a Affirmation Utah co-chair, wants a discussion item to be what the church can do to stop gay suicides and drug abuse that result from the church's rejection. He also would like to open talks on allowing gays and lesbians at Brigham Young University to date, without fear of excommunication, as long as they abstain from sex.

Like that'll happen.

Thomas says not all Affirmation members support the meeting because they see it as an attempt to get a revelation that "it's OK to be gay and in the church."

We want [LDS leaders] to be aware of the harm and hurt in families when a child feels they have to hide stuff about themselves or leave their church and their family even, because they can't be accepted.