Subject: IWG USA Today Matthew Shepard
From: Interfaith Working Group <[email-masked]>
Date: Wed, 21 Oct 1998 00:36:02 -0400 (EDT)

October 20, 1998

USA Today
1000 Wilson Blvd.
Arlington,VA  22229

Dear Editors:

We certainly respect Robert Knight's right to free
speech and free exercise of religion.  Unfortunately,
Mr. Knight's version of "championing the traditional
family" includes denigrating sexual minorities in a
number of ways: he claims that they are condemned by
God and all religious institutions, that they are a
threat to society, that they are without any support
from heterosexuals, and that they are undeserving of
equal treatment under the law.  

People of faith who support full legal and religious
recognition of the equality of sexual minorities and
their families need to stand with those who are
systematically oppressed and speak out against
violence and discrimination.

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.