R000161
Monday, March 11, 2002 11:07 AM
Benefits for gays and lesbians
March 11, 2002
Victims Compensation Fund
U. S. Department of Justice
Washington, DC
Ladies and gentlemen:
It is unconscionable that the survivors of gays and lesbians, for the most
part, will be denied benefits which will be awarded to other survivors of
those who were killed in the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.
the New York City Fire Department; , one of the heroes of Flight 63 which crashed in Pennsylvania instead of into the U. S. Capitol; and the of the airliner which
crashed into the Pentagon are only three of the scores of gay and lesbian
heroes of September 11th. To deny their loved ones the benefits which will
be accorded routinely to others is an outrage.
In the strongest possible terms, I urge reconsideration and repeal of this
discriminatory practice. Gays and lesbians who died in the terrorist
attacks of September 11, 2001, must be treated equally with all others who
lost their lives on that day. If they are not, then the promise of America
for "equal justice under law" died with them.
Individual Comment
El Paso, Texas