Subject: IWG Oprah letter Date: Sun, 28 Jan 1996 00:55:49 -0500 (EST) From: Chris Purdom The following went out on IWG letterhead listing 2 congregations, 4 religious organizations and 20 clergy from 9 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/. January 27, 1996 Mary Donahue The Oprah Winfrey Show Harpo Productions 110 North Carpenter Street Dear Ms. Donahue: Thank you for exposing people to the concept of same- sex marriage in such a positive way. It was wonderful to see so many types of gay relationships represented--with and without children, young and old- -and so many wishing to enter into a legal lifetime commitment. You were perfectly fair to those opposing same-sex marriage, and yet their arguments seemed like so much hot air and empty rhetoric when placed alongside real people just wanting to live their lives like others around them, in a recognized relationship as valid as any heterosexual marriage. The real reason many people are opposed to same-sex marriage is that for many people, marriage has traditionally been about a dominant man and a submissive woman. When there are two people of the same sex in a relationship, many people become concerned about "who wears the pants." Perhaps same- sex marriage is coming into its own at this time because more heterosexual couples are learning to have more egalitarian relationships (perhaps thanks to your show!). We can only hope that after hearing from the only group in this country who are actively discouraged from practicing monogamy, and yet are fighting for that right, the majority will come to understand and renounce the evils we have perpetrated on our fellow human beings in the name of God. And maybe they will begin to think of marriage as an institution of love, and not one of power and control. Keep up the good work. Sincerely, Barbara Purdom Christopher Purdom Interfaith Working Group Coordinators