From: Interfaith Working Group Subject: IWG Maine/Randy Tate letters Date: Sat, 14 Feb 1998 00:13:00 -0500 (EST) The following went out on IWG letterhead listing 12 congregations and organizations and 53 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. Note: identical letters, minus the comment about the Post's coverage, were sent to the Philadelphia Inquirer and New York Times. February 14, 1998 The Washington Post 1150 15th Street NW Washington, DC 20071 Dear Editors: Randy Tate, executive director of the Christian Coalition, made some comments that could only be characterized as "extreme" in reference to the repeal of a law in Maine that would have banned discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. The vote was not in any way a victory for people of faith as Tate claims. It was, however, a victory for people who, like Tate, think of sexual orientation only as "sexual behavior behind closed doors," and who therefore refuse to recognize the hostility that sexual minorities face for being open about whom they love. The Post's coverage of the vote, which concentrated on the religious beliefs of those who favored the repeal, making no mention of the many people of faith who were against it, reinforced Tate's misstatement. There were people of faith on both sides of the debate in Maine, just as there are people of faith on both sides of most social debates. The Christian Coalition does not represent all Christians, much less all people of faith, and we do not appreciate Tate's attempts to speak for us. Sincerely, Barbara Purdom Christopher Purdom Interfaith Working Group Coordinators -- Interfaith Working Group Religious organizations, congregations iwg@libertynet.org and clergy supporting gay rights, http://www.libertynet.org/~iwg/ reproductive freedom, and the 215-235-3050 separation of church and state.