From: Interfaith Working Group Subject: IWG Dr. Laura It's Elementary Response Date: Sun, 20 Jun 1999 23:04:45 -0400 (EDT) June 19, 1999 Dr. Laura Schlessinger c/o Premiere Radio Networks 15260 Ventura Blvd. Suite 500 Sherman Oaks, CA 91403 Dear Dr. Schlessinger: In your June 12 column about the film "It's Elementary," we appreciated your stated support for teaching all students to respect each other, and your statement of opposition to people picking on the poor, weak and different, including sexual and religious minorities. However, it is society at large that defines who is poor, weak, and different. Continued opposition to equal treatment for sexual minorities and an insistence that public policy reflect a religious belief that mixed-gender relationships are superior marginalizes those who do not conform to gender stereotypes. Nobody has to accept the assertion that "two men or two women constitute the foundation of a family equal to the covenantal relationship of marriage between a man and a woman ordained by God." Obviously you don't. Given that there are plenty of congregations, religious organizations and clergy from many religious traditions who disagree with you, we suspect that when you say "all traditional religions view homosexuality as a sin," you're defining "traditional" religious views as those that you agree with. (You also failed to mention that one school in the film was a religious school.) But regardless of how you define traditional religion, the fact that a belief is a tenet of any religion or group of religions does not automatically make it an adequate basis for public policy or an excuse to deny anyone equal treatment. We've seen "It's Elementary," and we don't agree with your characterization of it. In a column that included a call for tolerance and respect, you went out of your way to make sexual minorities look bad, and to portray a respectful and honest film for teachers as a propaganda piece for children intended to cancel out the religious education given by their parents. Sincerely, Barbara Purdom Christopher Purdom Interfaith Working Group Coordinators The above letter went out on IWG letterhead listing 17 congregations and organizations and 65 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.