A000666
Wednesday, December 05, 2001 2:30 AM
Equal Rights
Kenneth L. Zwick, Director
Office of Management Programs, Civil Division
U.S. Department of Justice
Dear Mr. Zwick:
In response to the Department's request for public comments regarding the forthcoming regulations for implementing and administering the "September 11 Victim Compensation Fund", I feel very strongly that the Department should draft regulations that ensure compensation is available to all victims of the attack, including the committed partners and the non-biological children of gay and lesbian victims, which I understand has become an issue or a questionable decision as to whether or not they should be excluded from the Fund.
If any discrimination is allowed that denigrates or tries to detract from any of the devastating grief and economic losses suffered by any Americans, straight or gay, then it does nothing but enhance the prejudice that we as a people and as a nation should not have, against any group.
Gay and lesbian victims deserve no less than that of other families. Discrimination is not allowed under most of our laws, and it does not have a place in determining who gets or who doesn't get just compensation.
The terrorists were not selective in choosing their victims, and if we as a nation start being selective as to who we compensate for their suffering from these attacks, then it demeans us all.
Further, should this be done, what is the next group you or others might decide to deprive of their rights?
Americans lost their lives on September 11, not Jewish or Christian or Muslim or Black or White or Brown or straight or gay Americans, but just Americans, each of whom left behind loved ones. I find it difficult to believe that the Department could even consider a decision other than to decide to find that everyone who was harmed by this tragedy is given the same rights as any other. Not more, not less, but just the same.
To do otherwise would be a travesty of justice and against everything that America stands for, equality, meaning equal justice and equal treatment under our laws.
Sincerely,
Individual Comment