Date: Wed, 09 Feb 2000 00:49:29 -0500 From: Interfaith Working Group Subject: IWG Allentown marriage discrimination letter February 8, 2000 The Morning Call 101 N. 6th Street Allentown, PA 18105 Dear Editors: In his February 1 letter, Christopher J. Chapman tried to justify limiting civil marriage on the basis of one religion’s definition, claiming that same-gender couples “are not able to fulfill the duties and obligations that marriage entails.” Religious marriage and civil marriage are two separate, frequently-confused institutions. Civil marriage is a legal agreement entered into by two consenting adults who agree to a set of legal duties and obligations which are not the same duties and obligations mentioned by Chapman. Different religions have different definitions of marriage; Chapman’s definition does not apply to all of them. And many same-gender couples have children, educate those children and are united in religious marriages, while many mixed-gender couples do not have children and are not united in marriage. The current law in Vermont and every other state discriminates against gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people and their children purely on the basis of gender. Sincerely, Barbara Lamond Purdom Christopher Purdom Interfaith Working Group Coordinators The above letter was sent on IWG letterhead listing 19 congregations and religious organizations and 64 clergy from 16 religious traditions. You can show your support by wearing an Interfaith Working Group shirt: http://www.iwgonline.org/clothes/ -- Interfaith Working Group PO Box 11706 Philadelphia, PA 19101 http://www.iwgonline.org/ iwg@iwgonline.org voice: 215-235-3050 fax: 215-232-0829