A003079
Wednesday, December 19, 2001 11:13 AM
Equal Rights for ALL concerning 9-11
Dear Mr. Kenneth Zwick,
I write as a member and supporter of Amnesty International, a worldwide
human rights movement committed to ensuring respect for the basic human
rights of people without discrimination, in support of equal access to
benefits under the September 11 Victims Relief Fund for all victims,
regardless of sexual orientation or marital status. As you know, the
United States has committed to uphold international human rights standards,
including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International
Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which prohibit arbitrary
discrimination.
As a gay man, I know that society can be incredibly dismissive of the idea
of gay partnerships. The fact that same-sex marriages are still the butt
of jokes is disturbing. I think that official recognition of VALID
same-sex partnerships will help not only society in accepting love in all
its forms, but help gay men and women see that their love is valid and that
partnering can help build a support community from which all can benefit.
As you consider rules for administering the relief fund, I ask that you
apply basic international human rights standards by including among
relatives eligible for compensation those who lost their life partners, as
well as de facto parents or children, without regard to sexual orientation
or marital status. The State of New York has already adopted such a
policy, 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."
Many lesbian and gay people were killed in the September 11th attacks.
Since then, lesbian and gay surviving partners of those killed have had
mixed results in obtaining equal treatment at the local level in the
distribution of relief funds by private and state agencies. An inclusive
policy on the part of the federal government would help establish an
important principle for other such funds. In compensating victims, real
justice will be served only when all families - and all types of families -
impacted by the human rights tragedy of September 11 are treated with
dignity and equality.
Thank you for considering my concerns. I look forward to hearing from you
about your efforts to ensure that all surviving victims of the September 11
attacks have equal access to the relief fund.
Sincerely,
Individual Comment
Roslindale, MA