Date: Tue, 27 Jun 2000 22:43:18 -0400 From: Interfaith Working Group Subject: IWG Providence Dr. Laura Censorship Letter June 27, 2000 The Providence Journal-Bulletin 75 Fountain Street Providence, RI 02902 Dear Editors: As opponents of actual censorship and supporters of religious liberty and equal rights for sexual minorities, we disagree completely with your Dr. Laura editorial. We do not believe it is too much to ask that Paramount and national advertisers exercise some corporate responsibility and think twice before endorsing yet another national media forum for an individual who offers religious insights as a doctor and medical advice as a person of faith, mischaracterizing both current medical opinion and the diversity of religious opinion on matters of sexual orientation, as well as misidentifying those who disagree with her, insulting their beliefs, and claiming that they are part of a plot to destroy society. GLAAD and a number of religious and medical organizations are debating Dr. Laura by spending money to reach the public with accurate information, while Dr. Laura is being paid to reach the public with inaccurate information. In a fair competition GLAAD would get their own national television show, radio show, and syndicated column, but that is not something that anyone, including Dr. Laura, is automatically entitled to. It is ridiculous to claim that GLAAD is censoring Dr. Laura when all they are doing is exercising their own free speech by taking their case to the station managers and the advertisers, and presenting them with Dr. Laura’s own words. Sincerely, Barbara Lamond Purdom Christopher Purdom Interfaith Working Group Coordinators The above letter was sent on IWG letterhead listing 21 congregations and religious organizations and 65 clergy from 16 religious traditions. Visit our web site to find out how you can help: http://www.iwgonline.org/wecandoit/ -- Interfaith Working Group PO Box 11706 Philadelphia, PA 19101 http://www.iwgonline.org/ iwg@iwgonline.org voice: 215-235-3050 fax: 215-232-0829