Date: Wed, 05 Jan 2000 00:10:04 -0500 From: Interfaith Working Group Subject: IWG Boston Globe marriage letter December 29, 1999 The Boston Globe Box 2378 Boston, MA 02107 Dear Editors: In your December 22 editorial in favor of the Vermont Supreme Court decision, you went out of your way to make it sound as though the relationships of same-gender and mixed-gender couples are somehow fundamentally different. The image of "gay couples flocking" to Vermont for marriage, and your using quotes around "marriage" only when referring to same-gender couples was completely disrespectful of sexual minorities and of the beliefs of religious institutions that perform marriages for same-gender couples. You also showed no respect for the rights of same-gender couples in Vermont, who have the same right as mixed-gender couples in this highly mobilized society to have their relationships legally recognized elsewhere should they need to move to another state. Creating a massive new non-transferable legal category for some couples in one state is not the same as allowing gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people to "share in society's rights." 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. 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