Subject: IWG Amarillo Adoption Discrimination letter
From: Interfaith Working Group <[email-masked]>
Date: Sat, 12 Sep 1998 23:22:56 -0400 (EDT)

September 12, 1998

Amarillo Globe News
PO Box 2091
Amarillo, TX 79166 

Dear Editors:

We were appalled by your August 27 editorial.  You
mentioned that Florida and New Hampshire have passed
laws prohibiting adoption by "homosexuals," meaning
same-sex couples. But you fail to mention that New
Jersey recently clarified its adoption policies
explicitly allow adoption by same-sex couples.  

We wonder how you would react to a proposal to forbid
the placement of children in religious minority
households.  There are always many "potentially
awkward" situations that can arise in households where
children--adopted or otherwise--are being raised. 
Indeed, if we were to eliminate all "potentially
awkward" environments, we doubt there would be any
suitable adoptive or foster parents left.   

We do not believe common sense dictates that every
mixed-gender couple is automatically more qualified as
parents than any same-gender couple, and yet you are
suggesting that every same-gender couple be
automatically disqualified from adoption, while other
human characteristics with potentially much worse
consequences than "awkwardness" are left to the
discretion of those making the placement.  Individuals
and families should be judged on their own merits, not
based on demographics or ancient prejudices. 

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