Date: Sun, 23 Apr 2000 23:10:38 -0400 From: Interfaith Working Group Subject: IWG Education Week FRC letter April 22, 2000 Education Week Suite 100 6935 Arlington Road Bethesda, MD 20814-5233 Dear Editors: Thank you for publishing an article about the many problems faced by sexual minority students. One of the most serious problems faced by gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender youth which is not shared by `skinny boys and fat girls' is that organizations like the Family Research Council are producing a steady stream of propaganda aimed at dehumanizing, marginalizing, and reinforcing existing prejudices against them. There are stories in which inclusion of the Family Research Council's opinions would make a great deal of sense, but we have to question the editorial decision to include Peter La Barbera's comments and to reference his suicide-denial writings in this particular story. We hope that a similar story about the problems of religious minority youth in religiously homogeneous schools would not prompt you to reference propaganda materials from organizations who find the beliefs of religious minorities `morally wrong.' The legal rights and real needs of minority students do not depend on the beliefs of Peter La Barbera or the Family Research Council. Sincerely, Barbara Purdom Christopher Purdom Interfaith Working Group Coordinators The above letter was sent on IWG letterhead listing 19 congregations and religious organizations and 65 clergy from 16 religious traditions. For more letters visit http://www.iwgonline.org/letters/ -- Interfaith Working Group PO Box 11706 Philadelphia, PA 19101 http://www.iwgonline.org/ iwg@iwgonline.org voice: 215-235-3050 fax: 215-232-0829