Date: Wed, 01 Nov 1995 23:44:57 -0500 (EST)
From: Chris Purdom <purdom@rabbit.com>
Subject: IWG Delaware/PERSON letter


The following went out on IWG letterhead (2 congregations, 4 religious
organizations and 14 clergy - let us know if you want to be added):

October 31, 1995

Superintendent of Public Instruction
State Dept of Public Instruction
Townsend Building
PO Box 1402
Dover DE 19903

Dear Superintendent:

The persecution of sexual minorities in this country is widespread, systematic, 
and typically begins in childhood.  Sexual minorites who survive into young 
adulthood run a high risk of suicide, and their persecutors learn that some 
forms of violence are acceptable to many people of power in our society.  
Sadly, most teachers and schools do little to confront the problem head on.

We strongly urge you to implement anti-homophobia training in the Delaware 
schools so that in the future children like Steven Wilson can learn and play 
in a safe, supportive environment, and grow up to be the happy, productive 
adults they deserve to be.

Please call the P.E.R.S.O.N. Project at  510-601-8883, or write to 586 62nd 
St./ Oakland, CA/94609-1245.  It is too late for Steven Wilson and for his 
killer; it is not too late for thousands of other children to avoid a 
violent, untimely death, or a lifetime in jail starting before the age of 18.

					Sincerely,
		Barbara Purdom            	Christopher Purdom
			Interfaith Working Group Coordinators