A001305
Friday, December 07, 2001 3:50 PM
Victim Compensation Comments
Dear Mr. Zwick:
I am writing 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 strongly urge the Department to
draft regulations that ensure that compensation is available to all victims
of the attack, including the committed partners and the non-biological
children of gay and lesbian victims.
It is unquestionable that the devastating grief and economic losses suffered
by the families of gay and lesbian victims are no different and no less than
are suffered by other families. It is unthinkable that some people in the
Department of Justice (!) should even hope to have the power to deprive
these families of compensations given without question to more conventional
families, of whose structure and makeup they approve. The terrorists drew
no lines in choosing their victims, and our country must draw no lines in
compensating those who suffered the most personal of losses from these
horrific attacks.
Many Americans lost their lives on September 11, each of whom left behind
loved ones. It is easily imaginable that the marriages of at least some of
the widows and widowers created on that day were not as happy or love-filled
as at least some of the domestic partners who are left bereft. Who is to
judge that any one is suffering more than anyone else, and therefore more
deserving of compensation? Or is the motive for wishing to withhold funds
from gay and lesbian commited partners simply punitive, a desire to punish
them for lifestyles of which some Americans disapprove? I urge the
Department to treat the families of gay and lesbian victims no diffeerently
from any other.
Lest you be inclined toview this communication as perhaps coming from
someone with a vested interest in any part of the 9/11 Victim Compensation
Fund, I would like you to know that I am heterosexual, the biological mother
of four children all of whom have the same father--to whom I was married for
28 years--that I live in California and personally know no one who was in
any way directly involved in the September 11 attacks.
Sincerely,
Individual Comment
Nevada City, CA