Subject: IWG West Virginia Letter
From: Interfaith Working Group <[email-masked]>
Date: Fri, 8 Aug 1997 23:01:23 -0400 (EDT)

The following went out on IWG letterhead listing 10 congregations and religious
organizations and 44 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 8, 1997

Charleston Gazette
1001 E. Virginia St.
Charleston, WV  25301

Dear Editors:

J. L. Phillips' plea for understanding was very moving
(August 8).   It is indeed important to recognize that
Southern Baptists have a mission beyond the Disney
boycott, and that they are ordinary members of the
community who worship, work hard, participate in civic
activities, play well with others and do their best to
raise their children.  It would be nice, however, if 
Phillips recognized these same qualities in sexual
minorities, many of whom are closeted Southern
Baptists.  Unlike the Southern Baptist Convention, gay
rights organizations did not call for boycotts of
organizations that promote a Southern Baptist
lifestyle.  Those who support the Disney boycott might
want to set aside the time to visit a gay-friendly, or
predominately gay, church, synagogue, or meeting house. 
They might be pleasantly surprised.

Sincerely,
Barbara Purdom     Christopher Purdom
Interfaith Working Group Coordinators

-- 

Interfaith Working Group                Religious organizations, congregations
[email-masked]                      and clergy supporting gay rights,
http://www.libertynet.org/~iwg/         reproductive freedom, and the 
215-235-3050                            separation of church and state.