From: Interfaith Working Group Subject: IWG Honolulu Marriage Letter Date: Tue, 5 Jan 1999 23:33:46 -0500 (EST) January 5, 1999 Honolulu Star Bulletin PO Box 3080 Honolulu, HI 96802 Dear Editor: We were extremely disturbed by Jim McConnell's letter of December 30 suggesting that those who favor legal recognition of same-gender marriage are "heterophobes." There are people of all sexual orientations who support both mixed-gender and same-gender marriage. There has been no proposal in Hawaii or any other state to deny civil or religious marriage to mixed-gender couples. And while we prefer the term "heterosexist" to "homophobe," we have seen nothing to suggest that active opposition to equal marriage rights is based on anything but fear of homosexuality. Sincerely, Barbara Purdom Christopher Purdom Interfaith Working Group Coordinators The above letter went out on IWG letterhead listing 16 congregations and organizations and 60 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.