Date: Sun, 07 Nov 1999 23:12:13 -0500 From: Interfaith Working Group Subject: IWG NY Times Falwell letter November 5, 1999 The New York Times 229 W. 43rd St. New York, NY 10036 Dear Editors: Thank you for your October 26 editorial about the Soulforce trip to Lynchburg. We agree that a meeting with Rev. Falwell does not directly advance the cause of equal rights, and that other than his comment that parents should not kick their children out of the house, there was little evidence of personal improvement. But we also recognize that two-hundred Liberty University students and members of Thomas Road Baptist Church met with a religiously diverse group of gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and straight supporters of equal rights (not two-hundred "gay Christians" as you incorrectly stated). Whatever stereotypes those two-hundred people had been exposed to and whatever reasons will be given to them in the future in support of discrimination against sexual minorities will now be countered in their minds with the faces of, and perhaps, friendships with, real complex individuals. 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 63 clergy from 16 religious traditions. Wear an Interfaith Working Group shirt: http://www.iwgonline.org/clothes/ -- Interfaith Working Group http://www.iwgonline.org/ iwg@iwgonline.org voice: 215-235-3050 fax: 215-232-0829