A001501

Wednesday, December 12, 2001 10:28 AM
RE: Virginia's lack of compassion

I would like to ask the U.S. Government 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." Discrimination of the type shown by state of Virginia in refusing financial assistance to the lesbian woman whose partner died in the September 11th attack on the Pentagon has NO PLACE in our society. Period. The deceased lady was an employee at the Pentagon and therefore her personal preference for a lifestyle partner were obviously accepted (or of no consequence) by her employer. So why isn't the state of Virginia honoring that employment "contract" by assisting the bereaved partner with some sort of compensation benefit. One wonders if the state of Virginia is seeking an opportunity to punish the bereaved partner for having an alternative lifestyle? What a patently un-American and unforgiveable thing to do. Sexual orientation or marital status has no weight or value in matters of life or death. Witness the indiscriminate acts of bravery by the firefighters on that fateful day. Did they stop and ask "Are you lesbian or gay" before they started a rescue or offer medical help. NO, they did not. So why is the state of Virginia not correctly honoring its dead?

Individual Comment
Petersburg, VA

Previous Next Back to Comments by Date Back to Comments by Date
(Graphical Version) (Text Only Version)