Date: Wed, 05 Jan 2000 00:27:56 -0500 From: Interfaith Working Group Subject: IWG Providence marriage letter January 3, 2000 The Providence Journal-Bulletin 75 Fountain Street Providence, RI 02902 Dear Editors: We appreciated your marriage editorial of December 23, though we did have a few quibbles. While the phrase "gay marriage" is conveniently terse, it is inaccurate. We prefer to say "civil marriage for same-gender couples." The phrase "gay marriage" implies that there could be two kinds of marriage: "gay" and "straight." Legally, there would be one institution, "civil marriage." Personally and religiously, the structure of each marriage would continue to take on whatever form each couple wants. And while we were glad that you specifically commented on the civil aspects of civil marriage, which are all that should be considered in determining the constitutionality of marriage law, it is important to recognize that there are religious bodies that perform marriages for same-gender couples. Sincerely, Barbara Lamond Purdom Christopher Purdom Interfaith Working Group Coordinators The above letter was sent on IWG letterhead listing 18 congregations and religious organizations and 63 clergy from 16 religious traditions. You can read our newsletter online: http://www.iwgonline.org/ktf/ -- Interfaith Working Group PO Box 11706 Philadelphia, PA 19101 http://www.iwgonline.org/ iwg@iwgonline.org voice: 215-235-3050 fax: 215-232-0829