From: Interfaith Working Group Subject: IWG Alexandria Falzarano response Date: Mon, 21 Sep 1998 00:05:20 -0400 (EDT) September 20, 1998 Alexandria Journal 6408 Edsall Road Alexandria, VA 22312 Dear Editors: In a recent letter, Anthony Falzarano engaged in one of the worst attacks on a minority group that we have ever seen. He cites real estate listings and the establishment of houses of worship as evidence of a "prolific assault" by a group that is "insidiously gaining strongholds" partly through "books and newspapers that are subtly being placed on the shelves of our public libraries." He says activists are "working like termites beneath the floorboards" to overturn the laws that have prevented them from moving into your neighborhood. Unless you stop this "invasion," he says, you will be "living in the basement." And yet, he adds, "they have every right to have a place to live and work." (And where would he propose they do that?) What would be the disastrous result of members of this group moving to Northern Virginia? The worst scenario he can think of is their getting health benefits for their families. Anyone who belongs to any minority group, whether racial, religious, linguistic, or political, should recognize and abhor the type of language that Falzarano is employing against gays and lesbians. His sexual history and current religious beliefs may give him a perspective that he considers unique, but they do not give him an excuse to engage in xenophobic fear-mongering. Sincerely, Barbara Purdom Christopher Purdom Interfaith Working Group Coordinators The above letter went out on IWG letterhead listing 15 congregations and organizations and 59 clergy from 16 religious traditions. 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. -- 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.