Subject: IWG Birmingham News Billy Jack Gaither letter
From: Interfaith Working Group <[email-masked]>
Date: Mon, 8 Mar 1999 00:12:15 -0500 (EST)

March 6, 1999

Birmingham News
2200 4th Avenue North
Birmingham, AL 35203 

Dear Editors:

We are all responsible when people who have been set
apart, stereotyped, and legally discriminated against
are attacked for being different.  Gay, lesbian,
bisexual and transgender people do not have the same
legal rights and responsibilities that everyone else
takes for granted.  They continue to be  portrayed
(inaccurately) both as a threat to society at large
and as condemned by all religious institutions.  We
appreciate that your reports about Billy Jack Gaither
mentioned both his own religious observance and clergy
who held the memorial service where he was killed. 
But we can't just speak out against killing. 
Religious people need to stand with those who are
systematically oppressed and speak out against
violence and discrimination and for equality and
inclusion of all people.

Sincerely,
Barbara Purdom     Christopher Purdom
Interfaith Working Group Coordinators

The above letter went out on IWG letterhead listing 17 congregations and
organizations and 61 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
http://www.libertynet.org/iwg           and clergy supporting gay rights,
[email-masked]                      reproductive freedom, and the 
voice: 215-235-3050  fax: 232-0829      separation of church and state.

Sunday May 16, 1999 5pm. Marching In the Light: IWG Benefit Concert. Old
First Reformed Church. 4th and Race, Philadelphia, PA.  See the web page.