From: Interfaith Working Group Subject: IWG Honolulu Marriage Letter Date: Tue, 6 Oct 1998 23:13:37 -0400 (EDT) October 5, 1998 Honolulu Star Bulletin PO Box 3080 Honolulu, HI 96802 Dear Editor: It is heartening to see that the cause of gay rights has reached a point where even religious leaders who oppose same-sex marriage feel compelled to deny being anti-homosexual. But surely the religious leaders who made that comment aren't claiming that they are "pro- homosexual," or even neutral on homosexuality. An ad showing two men embracing is not an ad about civil marriage. Same-gender couples embrace now and will continue to embrace regardless of the legal status of same-gender marriages. A campaign attacking the relationships of same-gender couples as immoral, especially when those relationships are blessed in many houses of worship, is both socially and religiously intolerant. The only question before the people of Hawaii, and ultimately, the nation, is whether the legislature should be allowed to use gender to limit the legal status of a committed relationship between two adults. 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.