March 15, 2004

The Plain Dealer
1801 Superior Ave.
Cleveland, OH 44114

Dear Editors:

The March 10 commentary by deputy editorial director Kevin O’Brien 
was one of the most heterosexist, homophobic, and religiously bigoted 
opinion pieces by a newspaper editor that we have seen in the last ten 
years.   O’Brien is “out of bounds” not because he bases his arguments 
on his faith or his understanding of morality, but because he claims to 
be supported by “Judeo-Christian values” by “Religious texts – and not 
just Christian texts” and by “God himself.” 

In some parts of the country this level of religious hyperbole is fairly 
common in letters to the editor, but the editor of a newspaper in a city 
as large as Cleveland ought to have some recognition and understanding of 
American religious diversity; should know that the many streams of Judaism 
and Christianity cannot be lumped together as a single monolithic belief 
system; and should know that some of the strongest supporters of equal 
marriage rights for same-gender couples are religious organizations, 
congregations and clergy from a wide variety of faith traditions, including 
self-identified Jews and Christians.  

We strongly suggest that you issue an immediate and heartfelt apology to gay, 
lesbian, bisexual and transgender people and to all those people of faith 
who work for love and justice based on their ethical and moral beliefs.


Sincerely,
Barbara Lamond Purdom			
Christopher Purdom
Interfaith Working Group Coordinators