From: Interfaith Working Group Subject: IWG Utah letter: religion, schools, and orientation Date: Tue, 11 May 1999 22:48:21 -0400 (EDT) May 10, 1999 Deseret News Box 1257 Salt Lake City, UT 84110 Dear Editors: In her letter of May 8, Jennifer Beckstrand complains about the inclusion of a Gay/Straight Alliance at a public high school multicultural event because sexual orientation is a "religious issue." However, almost every facet of human behavior is a religious issue to somebody. The question in the public schools is whether an issue is being presented in an overtly religious fashion. Same-gender sexual attraction/behavior and equal rights for sexual minorities are issues on which there is a great deal of religious disagreement, and therefore the issue itself is religiously neutral. 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. 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.