Date: Mon, 27 Dec 1999 23:20:01 -0500 From: Interfaith Working Group Subject: IWG Boston Herald Vermont/Religious liberty December 26, 1999 The Boston Herald 1 Herald Square Boston, MA 02106-2096 Dear Editors: Joe Fitzgerald may not hate gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people, but he and Don Feder seem to be willing to go to extraordinary lengths to deny equal treatment to sexual minorities and their families on the basis of a fundamentally flawed understanding of American religious traditions. Civil and/or religious marriages for same-gender couples are already supported or are now being debated in a rapidly growing number of religious traditions, Christian, Jewish, and other. Feder and Fitzgerald seem to be very concerned that courts are finally recognizing the constitutional rights of sexual minorities. We are much more concerned that Feder is willing to amend the U.S. Constitution to take away rights from those whose religious beliefs are different from his own. Limiting marriage in the U.S. Constitution sets a very dangerous precedent. What right, and what people, do we exclude next? Providing equally for all Americans and their families is one of the best traditions of this country; explicitly excluding some people to humor the prejudices of the majority is the worst. Sincerely, Barbara Lamond Purdom Christopher Purdom Interfaith Working Group Coordinators The above letter was sent on IWG letterhead listing 17 congregations and religious organizations and 62 clergy from 16 religious traditions. Read our introduction to religious liberty: http://www.iwgonline.org/liberty/ -- Interfaith Working Group PO Box 11706 Philadelphia, PA 19101 http://www.iwgonline.org/ iwg@iwgonline.org voice: 215-235-3050 fax: 215-232-0829