Subject: IWG Inquirer Marriage Letter Date: Sun, 7 Jul 1996 23:51:08 -0400 (EDT) From: Chris Purdom The following went out on IWG letterhead listing 2 congregations, 5 religious organizations and 28 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/ July 6, 1996 The Philadelphia Inquirer PO Box 8263 Phila., PA 19101 Dear Editors: Dick Polman's June 30 article about the legal battle over same-sex marriage was interesting, but a good deal was left out. While it is true that the Religious Right has used its political muscle to bring anti- marriage bills to the table as a wedge issue in an election year, it is not true that this is an issue that nobody cares about. The most onerous aspect of these bills is that they have been introduced just as the popularity of same-sex marriage is on the rise, especially within the religious community. Endorsements of same-sex marriage were announced within the last two weeks by both the Unitarian Universalist Association and Andrew Greeley. To characterize this debate as a fight between the Religious Right and the gay community is to trivialize the broad base of support for marriage legalization that includes such diverse groups as the Reconstructionist and Reform movements in Judaism, NOW, the NAACP, and the Japanese American Citizens League. Editorial endorsements have been issued by a broad range of publications including The New York Times, The Economist, and many small town newspapers. Civil marriage for same-sex couples will someday be legal in the United States because it is the right thing to do, and because a majority of the people will eventually support it. These anti-marriage bills are not just a wedge; they are a futile attempt to stifle discussion and delay inevitable social progress. Sincerely, Barbara Purdom Christopher Purdom Interfaith Working Group Coordinators