Subject: IWG Newsweek Gaither Coverage Letter
From: Interfaith Working Group <[email-masked]>
Date: Wed, 10 Mar 1999 22:47:36 -0500 (EST)

March 6, 1999

Newsweek
251 West 57th St.
New York, NY  10019

Dear Editors:

We were disturbed by your coverage of Billy Jack
Gaither's murder.  Murder is not an appropriate
response to an unwelcome pass, and you were extremely
irresponsible to assert that if Mr. Gaither did make a
pass, then it was not an unprovoked hate crime.  Gay,
lesbian, bisexual and transgender people do not have
all the legal rights and responsibilities everyone
else takes for granted.  They continue to be portrayed
(inaccurately) both as a threat to society and as
condemned by all religious institutions. People who
have been set apart in this way are perceived to be
acceptable victims.  We therefore disagree with
calling Rev. Timothy Holder's comments about love
conquering evil optimistic piety.  Religious people
can make--and have made--a difference by standing with
the systematically oppressed and speaking out against
violence and discrimination and for equality and
inclusion.  

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,
[email-masked]                      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.