Subject: IWG Inquirer Kmiec Letter Date: Mon, 3 Jun 1996 23:06:12 -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/ June 3, 1996 The Philadelphia Inquirer PO Box 8263 Phila., PA 19101 Dear Editors: Douglas W. Kmiec's opinion piece ("Gay rights ruling confuses affirmation with tolerance") had more inaccurate statements than actual facts. The words "sexual orientation" are not "code words for homosexuality;" the phrase is well understood to mean heterosexuality, homosexuality, or bisexuality, covering all people equally. Gay-rights activists do not argue that "homosexuality is merely an alternative form of sexual expression;" the use of the phrase "alternative" was invented by, is only used by, and where possible is enforced by, those who refuse to recognize the moral equality of same-sex relationships. Homosexuality does not stand in antithesis to marriage relationships; if it did, same-sex couples would not be seeking the legal right to marry. Kmiec implies that same-sex relationships are inherently unstable, but the current illegality of such marriages contributes greatly to potential instability. Many same-sex couples have triumphed over legal obstacles which opposite sex couples never even have to consider in order to have stable, long-term monogamous relationships. We assume that Kmiec uses the phrase "homosexual conduct" to refer to acts covered by "sodomy" laws, which have been dropped in the majority of the states, and which apply equally to both gay and straight couples where they still do exist (even if they are not equally--if ever--enforced). The concept of sexual orientation is relatively new, as is any "religious instruction that treats homosexual orientation as inextricably related" to "homosexual conduct." Kmiec fails to note that there is also "significant religious instruction" which teaches that consensual acts between adults of the same gender are not "morally wrong and socially harmful," and that religious support for sexual minorities is growing every day. Sincerely, Barbara Purdom Christopher Purdom Interfaith Working Group Coordinators