Subject: Sorry. Corrected Inquirer Letter
From: Interfaith Working Group <[email-masked]>
Date: Fri, 16 Oct 1998 19:50:00 -0400 (EDT)

October 13, 1998

The Philadelphia Inquirer
PO Box 8263
Phila., PA 19101

Dear Editors:

We grieve for the loss of Matthew Shepard, for his
family, and for everyone who lives with considerably
more fear now than they did before his death.  The
difference between crimes inspired by hate and other
crimes is that they are aimed not just at the
individual who suffers directly, but at everyone who
shares the characteristic that inspired the attack. 
Crimes like this influence others to imitate them and
serve by reference as a weapon of intimidation.  

Not only is Matthew Shepard no longer with us, but
millions of people are frightened and/or angry.  We are
especially upset by the comments from Steve Schwalm of
the Family Research Council (FRC), which is one of a
large group of organizations that have recently engaged
in a nationwide anti-gay ad campaign.  We regularly
read FRC materials; Schwalm's blatantly incorrect
comment that only "militant homosexuals" believe that
the FRC's statements are hateful and extremist is
typical.  They claim that sexual minorities are
condemned by God and all religious institutions, are a
threat to society, are without any support from
heterosexuals, and are undeserving of equal treatment
under the law.  The truth is that people of faith from
many religious traditions support full legal and
religious recognition of the equality of sexual
minorities and their families.

Sincerely,
Barbara Purdom     Christopher Purdom
Interfaith Working Group Coordinators

The above letter went out on IWG letterhead listing 15 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.