Subject: IWG LA Times Pro-gay religion letter
From: Interfaith Working Group <[email-masked]>
Date: Fri, 12 Jun 1998 23:10:19 -0400 (EDT)

June 12, 1998

Los Angeles Times
Times Mirror Square
Los Angeles, CA 90053

Dear Editors:

We agree with Benjamin J. Hubbard's June 6 comments
that congregations need to do more to fight the hatred
that is routinely aimed at sexual minorities.  While
it is true that the number of gay-friendly religious
organizations is embarrassingly small, it is also
growing steadily, and many organizations are not only
welcoming sexual minorities into their midst, they are
actively advocating for gay rights.  Clergy and
religious organizations around the country are coming
out in previously unheard of numbers to support such
causes as municipal Domestic Partnership legislation
and the legal recognition of same-gender marriage.

Testifying in favor of ordinances supporting same-
gender life partner couples in Philadelphia were the
Episcopal and Evangelical Lutheran Bishops, the
American Jewish Congress, the Union of American Hebrew
Congregations, Chestnut Hill Friends Meeting,
Dignity/Philadelphia, two Reconstructionist rabbis,
two Unitarian Universalist pastors, a Disciples of
Christ minister, a Metropolitan Community Church
minister, an Episcopal priest, and United Methodist,
Evangelical Lutheran, and American Baptist pastors.    

Sincerely,
Barbara Purdom     Christopher Purdom
Interfaith Working Group Coordinators

The above letter went out on IWG letterhead listing 15 congregations and
organizations and 58 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.

-- 

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.