From: Interfaith Working Group Subject: IWG Boston Globe Ex-gay response Date: Tue, 9 Feb 1999 22:44:31 -0500 (EST) February 7, 1999 Boston Globe Magazine Box 2378 Boston, MA 02107 Dear Editors: We were very disturbed by your article about Steven Durost and Mike Howatt. While you presented their religious beliefs and practices as controversial, and included opposing viewpoints, those opposing viewpoints were not religious in nature. We support the right of anyone to regulate their behavior based on their religious beliefs, and see value in reporting on the diversity of religious thought in America; but the attempt at balance did not improve the article. There are religious organizations, congregations, and clergy in Boston and across the country that welcome and support gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered people, their friends and their families. You are doing your readers a great disservice when you try to present the debate over sexual orientation as being between religion and science or conservative Christians and secular gay rights activists. 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, iwg@libertynet.org reproductive freedom, and the voice: 215-235-3050 fax: 232-0829 separation of church and state.