From: Interfaith Working Group Subject: IWG Phila. Daily News IGNITE letter Date: Mon, 5 Apr 1999 23:46:56 -0400 (EDT) April 3, 1999 Philadelphia Daily News PO Box 7788 Phila., PA 19101 Dear Editors: We greatly appreciated Debbie Woodell's column about hate crimes. But her column served to underscore the fact that the Daily News didn't even mention the IGNITE '99 rally in Harrisburg on March 23. Hundreds of people, many from Philadelphia and the surrounding suburbs (in fact, most of the speakers were from the Philadelphia area), converged on the capitol to hold a vigil for the victims of hate crimes and to talk to legislators about adding sexual orientation to the Ethnic Intimidation Act. IGNITE '99 was part of Equality Begins at Home, a national week-long event that took place at state capitols across the country, giving activists the opportunity to lobby legislators to add sexual orientation to hate crime laws and improve AIDS funding, among many other things. Some rallies--such as the one in Austin, Texas--drew thousands of participants. This large, far-reaching event was certainly worthy of coverage by your publication. 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.