Subject: IWG Norfolk VA church/state/religion/orientation
From: Interfaith Working Group <[email-masked]>
Date: Sat, 1 Aug 1998 09:39:17 -0400 (EDT)

July 30, 1998

Norfolk Virginian-Pilot
PO Box 449
Norfolk, VA 23501-0449

Dear Editors:

In answer to Bradley C. Reel (letter, July 17),
homosexuals are not a collective group any more than
heterosexuals are a group, or Christians are a group. 
However, sexual minorities suffer from legalized
oppression that people with other identifying traits do
not.  The marriages of same-gender couples are not
recognized by any state, in some states sexual
activities that are legal for a mixed-gender couples
are not legal for same-gender couples, and in many
states it is legal to discriminate in hiring and
housing on the basis of sexual orientation.  While
legalized sexual orientation discrimination can be
applied equally to both majority and minority
orientations, it is much more often used against the
minority.  Similar discrimination on the basis of race,
gender, or religion is generally illegal. 

Equal treatment does not imply approval.  As a society
governed by law, we treat people of all religions
equally; this does not mean that every person approves
of all religions.
 
Sincerely,
Barbara Purdom     Christopher Purdom
Interfaith Working Group Coordinators

The above letter went out on IWG letterhead listing 16 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.