Subject: IWG PFOX Press Release Date: Thu, 10 Oct 1996 23:56:34 -0400 (EDT) From: Chris Purdom Please Redistribute P R E S S R E L E A S E Interfaith Working Group Responds to Creation of PFOX October 11 - The Interfaith Working Group (IWG) responded today to the Family Research Council's announcement of the creation of "PFOX", Parents and Friends of Ex-gays. "Robert Knight used to deny the existence of heterosexual and religious support of sexual minorities. Since that is no longer possible, he is now mischaracterizing this support as misdirected compassion," said Christopher Purdom, Co-coordinator of the Interfaith Working Group (IWG). "What Mr.Knight wants you to ignore is the rapidly growing number of religious people who have reached the conclusion that same-gender relationships are morally equivalent to mixed-gender ones." "We represent people of faith who believe that the morality of a relationship stems from the love and respect the couple have for each other, and not their genders," added Barbara Purdom, IWG Co-coordinator. "Mr. Knight's assertion that an organization like PFOX could have prevented the spread of AIDS by discouraging high-risk sexual behavior is especially galling on the eve of Coming Out Day, given the record of the Family Research Council." said Christopher Purdom. "The FRC has consistently fought against comprehensive sex education, AIDS-prevention education, and condom availability. The FRC has encouraged secretive, anonymous, promiscuous sexual behavior. They have ridiculed the coming-out process, and they have lobbied against gays in the military, workplace discrimination protection, and the legal recognition of same-sex marriages." The Interfaith Working Group (IWG) provides a voice and a forum for religious organizations, congregations and clergy who support gay rights, reproductive freedom, and the separation of church and state. Since its inception in March of 1995 it has grown to include two congregations, five religious organizations and thirty- seven clergy from twelve denominations. In addition to serving its members in Eastern Pennsylvania and Southern New Jersey, the IWG has established a national educational outreach through the internet. For more information visit http://www.libertynet.org/~iwg/ Email may be sent to iwg@libertynet.org.