From: Interfaith Working Group Subject: IWG Lynn Johnston Letter Date: Sat, 16 Aug 1997 23:03:09 -0400 (EDT) The following went out on IWG letterhead listing 10 congregations and religious organizations and 45 clergy from 14 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. August 16, 1997 Dear Ms. Johnston: We were pleasantly surprised to learn that you are reintroducing the character of Michael's friend Lawrence to "For Better or Worse." We though his coming out was very powerful, especially when his father told him "to go wherever it is you people go," and he stood outside the house yelling, "I live here." While we realize that you received many complaints over the inclusion of one sexual minority character in the strip, you have shown over the years that you are capable of dealing with real life and death topics which are not normally seen in the comic pages. Lawrence's sexual orientation may make some people uncomfortable but it can also bring comfort to many children and families who believe they are doomed to struggle alone. Lawrence was a regular if minor member of the cast of the strip before you revealed that he was gay. His disappearance simply reinforced his father's unfortunate notion that sexual minorities must have somewhere else to go. We urge you to rectify that impression by making him a regular again, treating his life with the same reality and sensitivity that you bring to the rest of the strip. Sincerely, Barbara Purdom Christopher Purdom Interfaith Working Group Coordinators -- Interfaith Working Group Religious organizations, congregations iwg@libertynet.org and clergy supporting gay rights, http://www.libertynet.org/~iwg/ reproductive freedom, and the 215-235-3050 separation of church and state. From: Interfaith Working Group Subject: corrected letter jmwindgate@aol.com, amerunited@aol.com, joed@tesi.com, RAARONS@aol.com, denkulp@aol.com, ncac@netcom.com, 74344.2361@compuserve.com, submit@qrd.org, pa-expose@critpath.org Date: Sun, 17 Aug 1997 12:05:56 -0400 (EDT) The corrected Lynn Johnston letter with the actual name of the strip and the mailing address are at http://www.libertynet.org/~iwg/august/6.txt Sorry about that. -- Interfaith Working Group Religious organizations, congregations iwg@libertynet.org and clergy supporting gay rights, http://www.libertynet.org/~iwg/ reproductive freedom, and the 215-235-3050 separation of church and state.