From: Interfaith Working Group Subject: IWG Chattanooga Maine Editorial Letter Date: Fri, 20 Feb 1998 00:04:23 -0500 (EST) The following went out on IWG letterhead listing 12 congregations and organizations and 55 clergy from 15 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. February 19, 1998 Chattanooga Free Press Box 1447 Chattanooga, TN 37401-1447 Dear Editors: Your February 12 editorial regarding the Maine sexual orientation non-discrimination vote was extremely misleading. We agree with you that "no American, individually or in a group, ought to be treated other than equally before the law." The Maine law, however, banned discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. Both heterosexual and homosexual people may or may not be in relationships, sexual or otherwise. Even civil marriage, a relationship involving the government and limited by Federal and most state laws to couples of different genders may or may not include sexual activity. Discrimination occurs based on the perception of sexual orientation, not on the basis of private sexual activity. So, contrary to your assertions, the law does not give special privileges to sexual minorities based on private sexual activity, and plenty of people involve the government in their relationships by getting married (and more would if they could). The law would have protected everyone from the biases of people who actually probably know very little about you, whether you or they are gay or not. 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.