Subject: IWG Sacramento/Sierra Parent letter Date: Sun, 7 Jul 1996 23:47:58 -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 7, 1996 Shelly Bokman Elia Sacramento/Sierra Parent 457 Grass Valley Hwy. Suite 5 Auburn, CA. 95603 Dear Ms. Elia: Thank you for publishing Barb Chandler's article "My Child is Gay." As Ms. Chandler stated, sexual minorities come from all religious backgrounds. Religious organizations, like families, have had varying degrees of success in dealing with gay members. Some congregations toss their gay members out on to the street; some waste enormous amounts of energy trying to change them; some let them stay as long as they don't talk about their orientation; some are quietly supportive within the church walls but keep quiet about it outside; and some are vocal in their support. Those who are supportive realize the amount of harm that society, and especially religious institutions, have done to what was an invisible minority for so long. The good news is that as more people like Barb Chandler have the courage to speak up, more religious institutions are listening to them. You have heard from groups such as the American Family Association who are still mired in the past. Do not mistake the silence of your other readers for agreement with the most reactionary elements of society. In publishing Ms. Chandler's article you may have offended some people, but you have also helped save many children from a lifetime of psychological abuse or a life on the street. Sincerely, Barbara Purdom Christopher Purdom Interfaith Working Group Coordinators