The following went out on IWG letterhead listing 2 congregations, 5 religious
organizations and 37 clergy from 12 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/.

October 7, 1996

Cecil Forster
General Manager
WIP-AM
441 N Fifth St. 
Philadelphia, PA 19123

Dear Mr. Forster:

We have heard disturbing reports from numerous sources
that during the week leading up to the Eagles-Cowboys
game, your on-air employees consistently made
disparaging remarks against Troy Aikman based on his
perceived sexual orientation.

The worst aspect of this behavior is not that it
demeans Mr. Aikman and many fine amateur and
professional athletes who are not heterosexual, or
even that it is insulting to gay sports fans in
Philadelphia who otherwise enjoy your station.  The
worst aspect is that it communicates to your
listeners, especially young listeners, that sexual
minorities are fair game for ridicule and abuse. 
Attacking someone because of their real or perceived
sexual orientation is no more acceptable than
criticizing their race or religion.  When you imply
otherwise you harm both those who are goaded into
violence and those who are the victims of that
violence, and you violate the community spirit under
which you were granted a license by the FCC.

If the reports of this behavior on the part of your
employees are correct then we expect that you will do
the right thing and air public apologies both on your
own station and others.  It would also be reasonable
at the very least to air pro-tolerance public service
announcements that include references to sexual
orientation during the same time periods that your
employees played "Pink Quarterback."   Jeffrey
Garrett, coordinator of Project Open Mind for the
national office of PFLAG (202-638-4200), should be
able to provide you with such announcements.  If you
are interested in having on-air guests who can speak
about sexual orientation issues, we will be happy to
help locate appropriate speakers.

Please let us know what response you plan on making.


					Sincerely,
		Barbara Purdom            	Christopher Purdom
			Interfaith Working Group Coordinators