February 10, 2004

The Union Leader
Box 9555
Manchester, NH  03108

Dear Editors:

We were deeply disturbed by the quotes from Bishop McCormack in your February 5 article 
“NH criticizes gay marriage ruling.”  The imposition of a single religious gender-specific
 definition of marriage on the laws of the states does not protect anyone’s rights It is
oppressive to religious and governmental bodies that may wish to define marriage 
differently, and to gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender Americans who will be denied 
equal protection under the law. It tramples on free speech, free exercise of religion,
 freedom from the establishment of religion, and free association. We understand that the
 Bishop feels compelled to reiterate the official position of his church.  We do not
understand why you, as editors of a newspaper and with some responsibility for accurate 
reporting, did not feel compelled to question the Bishop’s assertion or at least quote 
any of the many clergy people or religious officials who favor equal marriage rights.

Sincerely,
Barbara Lamond Purdom        	         
Christopher Purdom
Interfaith Working Group Coordinators