Subject: IWG NY Times ad response
From: Interfaith Working Group <[email-masked]>
Date: Mon, 13 Jul 1998 23:38:46 -0400 (EDT)

July 13, 1998

The New York Times
229 W. 43rd St.
New York, NY 10036

Dear Editors:

In America most of us are free to choose what to
believe, to exercise or not exercise our religious
beliefs, and to marry another consenting adult,
without fear of government intervention or reprisal
from our employers.  We think it's wonderful that
Anne Paulk exercised those rights.  We also think
it's a shame that she's chosen to appear in an
advertisement financed by a group of mostly
politically-oriented organizations, including many
with a consistent record of supporting legislation
that would limit those very same freedoms to
heterosexual conservative Christians. 

The real truth is that no one has to make a choice
between their religion and the people they love
unless they really want to.  There are congregations
and support groups from many religious traditions
that accept gays and lesbians as they are,
encouraging them in faith and action, and standing
with them in their joys and sorrows.  We provide
referrals through email ([email-masked]) and we
have links to a wide variety of documents and
organizations through our web page
(www.libertynet.org/iwg). 

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.

Similar letters are also going to the other two papers where this
ad is scheduled to appear:

The Washington Post
1150 15th Street NW
Washington, DC 20071

USA Today
1000 Wilson Blvd.
Arlington,VA  22229

We stongly encourage you to write letters to all three papers as
soon as possible.  The door has been opened.  Get your feet in.

-- 

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.