From: Interfaith Working Group Subject: IWG Wall St. Journal Vermont Marriage Response Date: Sun, 20 Jun 1999 22:54:33 -0400 (EDT) June 19, 1999 Wall Street Journal 200 Liberty Street New York, NY 10281 Dear Editors: In his June 14 opinion piece, Matthew Daniel made the ludicrous assertion that the marriage laws of Vermont apply equally to everyone. If the law said that two consenting unrelated adults had to be of the same faith, economic class or ethnic background, or the man in a mixed-gender marriage had to be older than the woman (but not too much older), one might also (again, ludicrously) argue that the law applied equally. But that would also be discrimination. Those who object to the notion of same-sex couples marrying because it goes against their religious views, because it goes against their personal understanding of gender, or because they haven't thought about it much, are still a majority, but a constantly shrinking one. The view of the majority of people in our society is not an adequate basis to deny anyone equal rights. We don't protect people's civil rights on the basis of majority opinion; that's why we have the courts. Mr. Daniel's fear seems to be that same-gender couples will legally marry in Vermont; their marriages will be accepted in other states, and yet life will go on as it always has, but with equal treatment for sexual minorities. Personally, that's our hope. 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.