A001306
Friday, December 07, 2001 4:16 PM
September 11 Victims Fund
Kenneth L. Zwick, Director
Office of Management Programs
U.S. Department of Justice
Dear Mr. Zwick, Attorney General Ashcroft,
and All Involved in the Administration of Justice:
I am writing to state my concern about the use of money in the September 11
Victims Compensation Fund. I am primarily concerned that these funds be used
to assuage the pain and loss felt by ALL families affected by this horrible
attack on our nation. This means including the families of gay, lesbian,
bisexual, and transgendered victims. I assure you, despite our government's
lack of recognition of relationships between people of the same gender, the
pain felt by those who lost partners, lovers, and co-parents is real and the
effects on their lives will be devastating.
I call your attention to the brave young gay man who lost his life on the
plane attempting to save the lives of innocent people in Pennsylvania, the
openly gay copilot on that same flight, the young gay couple and their
adopted three year old son who were killed on one of the flights, to the gay
priest who lost his life while ministering at Ground Zero, and to the many
lesbian and gay employees working in the World Trade Center. It is vitally
important now that our government treat all of our families with dignity and
respect and equality.
There was much doubt among those of us in the majority who did not vote for
President Bush as to whether or not his pick for Attorney General would be
capable of seeing past his own biases to dispense justice to ALL people.
This is the first major test of that question. We are waiting with hope in
our hearts and prayers on our lips that the Attorney General and the Justice
Department will indeed help to bring about justice based on what is right
and necessary, rather than personal point of view.
I urge you to follow the example already set by New York Governor Pataki in
granting compensation benefits: "on a showing of mutual interdependence with
the victim, in recognition that anyone who shared with the victim living
expenses, day-to-day activities and the emotional bonds of family deserves
help in this time of need."
This is a great test of our country, and we are proud of the effort and good
faith shown by our government and President so far. Please do not let down
the hundreds of gay and lesbian families affected by these horrible events
at this, their most vulnerable time.
Sincerely,
Individual Comment
New Haven, CT