Subject: IWG Seattle letter Date: Thu, 23 May 1996 23:35:15 -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/ May 22, 1996 Letters Editor The Times PO Box 70 Seattle, WA 98111 Dear Editors: Since when is the opinion of the majority more important than the rights of any minority? Civil marriage for same-sex couples takes no rights away from anyone except the "rights" of parents to challenge the legal relationships of their adult children. The advent of legalized same-sex marriage is a result of the recognition of the basic humanity of the participants and the moral equality of their relationships. Social progress never happens once the progress in question is popular, because public opinion only changes when it is challenged. More people under rather than over the age of 50 support the rights of sexual minorities because sexual minorities have had the audacity in the last 30 years to challenge their oppressors and speak up for their basic rights at the risk of offending the public. Because of these challenges, more of us in the religious community realize every day the harm that has been done, and are gathering together to add our voices to the struggle. If congregations and denominations can wrestle with these questions, then so can society at large. Sincerely, Barbara Purdom Christopher Purdom Interfaith Working Group Coordinators