Subject: IWG NY Post Kerrison/Pride Response
From: Interfaith Working Group <[email-masked]>
Date: Mon, 6 Jul 1998 23:46:42 -0400 (EDT)

July 4, 1998

The New York Post
1211 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10036

Dear Editors:

Must Ray Kerrison classify every disagreement with the
official doctrines of the Roman Catholic Church as
"Christian bashing?"  There are many different kinds of
Christians in the world, including quite a few who walk
in Pride Parades, some of whom are Catholics.  

Until a few years ago it was our experience in
Philadelphia that the media automatically edited out
the rather substantial religious participation in the
local parade, and only showed those elements that
Kerrison believes are "intrinsic" to a Pride Parade. 
The media should be giving an accurate portrayal which
involves gay and integrated religious organizations,
women on motorcycles, AIDS prevention organizations,
men in drag, choruses, and families with children.  

If people came down and saw the parades in person they
could decide for themselves which parts were
"intrinsic" to them.  What's intrinsic to us is that so
many different people can march together in the same
parade without sacrificing their unique identities and
without fighting each other over doctrine.  It's an
example we could all stand to follow.

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.

Celebrating Religious Liberty and Defending Democracy
Rev. Barry Lynn, Americans United for Separation of Church and State;
Jerry Mondesire, NAACP * Larry Frankel, ACLU * Rabbi Sue Levi Elwell
Thursday, July 9, 7:30 pm, First Unitarian Church of Philadelphia, 2125 Chestnut
http://www.libertynet.org/iwg/special.html