R000190
Monday, March 11, 2002 12:42 PM
Discrimination against families of gays and lesbians
To Whom it May Concern
The government's discrimination against the partners of gays and lesbians killed in the 9/11 attacks is appalling, although unfortunately not at all surprising. At a time when the federal government has suspended "Don't ask, don't tell" so that gays can be used for fodder (while reserving the right to throw them out of the military without benefits when peace comes), its claim of impotence in the face of states' rights hardly seems sincere. The government could make equal payment if it wanted to (as I understand it, the payments don't implicate the states at all). The federal government has made it clear that it would have no problem being inconsistent with a state that gave gays greater rights than the federal standard -- it is only when the inconsistency would benefit gays that the government claims the states' rights are of paramount import.
If you're going to discriminate, at least have the decency to be honest about it.
Individual Comment