Subject: IWG Gilroy letters Date: Thu, 23 May 1996 23:32:30 -0400 (EDT) From: Chris Purdom The following went out on IWG letterhead listing 2 congregations, 4 religious organizations and 24 clergy from 10 faiths and denominations. If you are in the general Philadelphia area and represent a congregation or religious organization or are clergy, let us know if you want to be added - all faiths are welcome. We will also be happy to help start similar organizations in other areas. Visit the web page at http://www.libertynet.org/~iwg/ or http://www.qrd.org/qrd/www/religion/orgs/iwg/ May 22, 1996 Mr. Mark Derry Executive Editor The Dispatch PO Box 22365 Gilroy, CA 95021 Dear Mr. Derry: Robert Dillon seriously doubts that visitors to the Billy De Frank Gay and Lesbian Center will be told that the world's major religions condemn homosexuality. We certainly hope he's right, since they don't. Attitudes toward minority sexual orientations range from condemnation to celebration in the religious community, just as they do in the rest of the society. And, as in society at large, the overall attitude is rapidly improving. Within the last two months we have witnessed Romer v. Evans, the unelection of the anti- gay school board in Merrimack, New Hampshire, the refusal of an Episcopalian court to charge Bishop Righter with heresy, and the endorsement of civil same- sex marriage by the Central Conference of American Rabbis. Sincerely, Barbara Purdom Christopher Purdom Interfaith Working Group Coordinators May 22, 1996 Mr. Ernest Zermeno Principal Gilroy High School 750 West Tenth Street Gilroy, CA 95020 Dear Mr. Zermeno, Thank you for allowing an ad from the Billy De Frank Gay and Lesbian Center to be run in the school paper. We understand that Robert Dillon has been encouraging people to complain. Please know that there are many people of faith out there who support your action (which unfortunately seems to still be controversial) and that those who call to harass you are not proprietary spokespeople for God. Sincerely, Barbara Purdom Christopher Purdom Interfaith Working Group Coordinators