Subject: IWG Des Moines Register Matthew Shepard
From: Interfaith Working Group <[email-masked]>
Date: Wed, 21 Oct 1998 00:41:42 -0400 (EDT)

October 20, 1998

The Des Moines Register
Box 957
Des Moines, IA  50304

Dear Editors:

In the midst of all the stories of hate surrounding
Matthew Shepard's murder, it was heartening to read
about the Iowans who asked the United Methodist
bishops "to support homosexual unions and to teach
that acceptance of homosexuality is a legitimate
position for United Methodists."   Positive change
will come when people who support full legal and
religious recognition of the equality of sexual
minorities and their families stand with those who
are systematically oppressed and speak out against
violence and discrimination.

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.