From: Interfaith Working Group Subject: IWG Lawrence MA letter - churchgoers v. gay rights activists Date: Wed, 15 Apr 1998 23:00:24 -0400 (EDT) The following went out on IWG letterhead listing 12 congregations and organizations and 56 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. April 15, 1998 Eagle-Tribune PO Box 100 Lawrence, MA 01842 Dear Editors: We were appalled by the opening ("Gay rights supporters and churchgoers clashed") of Paul Fleming Jr.'s April 8 story about the pride parade. Does Mr. Fleming personally know which of the gay rights supporters are religiously observant or motivated by their faith to support equality and fairness? Was the most relevant factor about those on the other side the fact that they were church-goers or gay-rights opponents? Mr. Fleming is helping to perpetuate the unfortunate stereotype that people of faith are inherently anti-gay, and that gay rights supporters are inherently anti-religious. The only accurate statement you can make about this issue is that most anti-gay activists seem to be religiously motivated--anything else obscures the diversity of religious thought that is a byproduct of living in a religiously free country. 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.