Subject: IWG Philadelphia Inquirer Letters Date: Fri, 24 May 1996 22:55:47 -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 23, 1996 Claude Lewis The Philadelphia Inquirer PO Box 8263 Phila., PA 19101 Dear Mr. Lewis: Thanks you for your column about the Romer v. Evans decision. The struggles of sexual minorities in this country have for too long been covered only by gay and lesbian columnists or by conservative columnists with the same attitude as Justice Scalia. If nothing else, this decision and the pending marriage case in Hawaii are bringing the discussion of sexual orientation and gender into the mainsteam and clearly illustrate the abuse that all minorities--sexual, racial, and religious--have in common. We have enclosed a business card. Feel free to call us at any time for religious viewpoints on gay rights, reproductive freedom, or the separation of church and state. We will be happy to speak to you ourselves or arrange for interviews with clergy. Sincerely, Barbara Purdom Christopher Purdom Interfaith Working Group Coordinators May 23, 1996 Tony Auth The Philadelphia Inquirer PO Box 8263 Phila., PA 19101 Dear Mr. Auth: Thank you for your depiction of Justice Scalia giving his Romer v. Evans dissent. That one line said more than any editorial ever could have, and it needed to be said. The comparison between the current spate of anti- gay rhetoric and the Third Reich is one which too many people avoid making for the sake of politeness; others attack such comparisons as religious bigotry. We hope people see how appropriate your cartoon was, especially considering that Scalia used "Kulturkampf" in his dissent. (Many who read your cartoon probably do not know that the Nazis made gays wear pink triangles.) When evil is not named it flourishes, particularly when it calls itself "morality." Sincerely, Barbara Purdom Christopher Purdom Interfaith Working Group Coordinators May 23, 1996 Melissa Dribben The Philadelphia Inquirer PO Box 8263 Phila., PA 19101 Dear Ms. Dribben: Thank you for your column about the Romer v. Evans decision. Just as many whites take for granted what people of color have had to fight for, so do heterosexuals disregard the work that sexual minorities must do to just live their lives. The more journalists remind people of this, the more likely the world is to change. Keep up the good work. Sincerely, Barbara Purdom Christopher Purdom Interfaith Working Group Coordinators