Subject: IWG Marriage letter to Whitman Date: Sun, 23 Jun 1996 23:33:38 -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/ June 23, 1996 The Honorable Governor Christine Todd Whitman Office of the Governor State House CN 001 Trenton, New Jersey 08625-0001 Dear Governor Whitman: We find extremely disturbing your statement that you oppose the legalization of same-sex marriage because marriage is for procreation, a stand which is directly at odds with your reputation as a supporter of sexual minorities and reproductive freedom. There are many people of faith in this country, including citizens of New Jersey, whose religious beliefs include support for same-sex marriage. They do not be-lieve that gender or procreation are central to the institution of marriage, and we do not believe that it is in the best interests of the state to choose which religious marriages it will or will not sanction. The number of religious institutions per- forming religious marriages for same-sex couples is growing rapidly, and the state, by refusing to recognize those marriages, is favoring those religions which continue to discriminate against sexual minorities. We pray that you will reconsider your position. Sincerely, Barbara Purdom Christopher Purdom Interfaith Working Group Coordinators