A002209
Tuesday, December 18, 2001 6:37 PM
equitable benefits
Special Master Kenneth R. Feinberg
September 11th Victim Compensation Fund
U.S. Department of Justice
Dear Mr. Feinberg:
I am writing to ask you to consider as legitimate family the partners and
adopted children of gays and lesbians who were lost in the September 11
tragedy. All of the citizens of our nation who were personally touched by
this tragedy have suffered enough, and I hope that our country will now
demonstrate how our compassion, our open-mindedness, and our willingness to
change our collective minds (and rules/regulations) have been and will
continue to be one of the greatest strengths of our nation.
I'm sure you are well aware that gays and lesbians do not have the legal
option of marriage, even devoted couples who have shared their lives for
years. Therefore it seems patently unfair to exclude these individuals
(taxpayers) from survivor benefits because they don't fit the previous
definition of family.
Many of us are currently working to secure the legal right to marry for gays
and lesbians. In the meantime, I hope you will do what you can to take care
of this community in the same way that you will take care of other citizens.
Thank you for considering my comments. I look forward to hearing how you
will act on these very important issues.
Sincerely,
Individual Comment
Richmond, NH