Date: Fri, 14 Jan 2000 02:13:02 -0500 From: Interfaith Working Group Subject: IWG Pittsburgh PA Vermont letter January 13, 2000 Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Box 947 Pittsburgh, PA 15230 Dear Editors: There are different marriage laws in all the states and different definitions of marriage in every religious tradition. In addition to this diversity, civil marriage rights in the U.S. have been significantly broadened during the last fifty years. Unlike some religious definitions, civil definitions of marriage do not usually mention childbearing, sexual relations, living arrangements, or religious belief or observance. Removing gender discrimination from civil marriage law is not a major change in definition, it is the only way to guarantee equality under the law for gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people, and the inadequacy of the "traditional definition" is hardly a sufficient excuse for denying civil 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. 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