R000766
Thursday, March 14, 2002 1:28 PM
Gays and Lesbians deserve compensation too!
I received an article today which I found very disturbing. I'm sure you've
heard about it, and I hope you're getting enough response to rethink the
decision.
I am a straight, white American citizen. I do not feel like there are
prejudices against me for the most part, but I deeply sympathize with those
who do have to deal with prejudice. The fact that our government, or those
who represent our government are saying that it's okay for us to give money
to illegal aliens, who one, have not paid taxes and contributed to our
country, and two, are here against our laws, seems unfathomable to me.
Let's give these undeserving immigrants compensation for the loss of loved
ones, who were, in some cases, also illegal aliens themselves, but forget
about the good hearted, taxpaying, law abiding citizens who's partners died
trying to save our country because of their sexual orientation. That's
appauling! That is a complete contradiction of what America is about. This
is the melting pot. This is a country where people are supposed to be able
to come to without getting judged, yet we have a man, Kenneth Feinberg, who
stands up on National television, and advertizes the opposite. What is
wrong with this picture? And to use the state law as a cop out! Just
because some states don't recognize same sex marriages, does that mean that
the love two people shared is worth less? If anything, their love was
stronger because they had prejudices to overcome together. Who is Mr.
Feinberg to make the call of who deserves compensation based on such
factors? This world is not made up of black and white. There is a huge
amount of grey area that falls between the cracks. Don't allow these
people, who are human beings to fall between the cracks.
There is always individual circumstances and situations to be considered,
and labeling these people appears to be a way for you to control your
budget. Whether it's true or not, it looks to the American public like your
organization doesn't have enough money to go around, so they have chosen
this group of people to be left out in order to maintain your mission.
There are better ways to achieve that. Why not come up with a standard
rule? If a victim can provide proof that they were living with their
partner for over a year, and that they were living together at the time of
the attacks, then they qualify, period.
Please take this letter into consideration. Gays and lesbians deserve
compensation too. These people have lost the most important person in their
lives. Don't deprive them of the benefits that you are allowing others.
If being gay is wrong, then let God be the one to judge them. Don't do it
here on earth! Give these people the compassion they deserve.
Sincerely,
Individual Comment
Denver, CO