R001020
Saturday, March 16, 2002 2:57 PM
(no subject)
In recent interviews, the head of the September 11 Victim
Compensation Fund (a fund created by Congress to help the
families of those who died on September 11) has made clear
that the partners of gay and lesbian heroes of September 11
will not necessarily receive the same benefits as the spouses
of heterosexual victims of the horrible terror attacks.
EVEN FETUSES AND ILLEGAL ALIENS ARE COVERED!!!
Even fetuses and illegal aliens will be receiving benefits
under this problem - heck, they've even promised to overlook
federal law and NOT arrest and kick out the families of
illegal aliens, nor will they punish American companies that
hired illegals in violation of federal labor laws.
But when it comes to gay and lesbian heroes of the day - who helped bring down the flight in Pennsylvania, who died in the line of duty when the first tower fell, and who was of the plane that crashed into the Pentagon (there are many more) - we are told the law is the law and no
exceptions can be made.
If the fund that Congress created can overlook federal immigration and labor
law, create new classes of victims (fetuses) and even compensate the
surviving unmarried heterosexual partners who were affected, it seems rather
transparent and cowardly to hide behind the guise of "state law" to effect a
denial when considering the victims whose life partners happen to be of the
same gender.
It is yet another sad day in America when this kind of terrorism can be
compounded by additional insult and injury based on nothing more than sheer
prejudice and malice.
I am a gay american who has paid taxes all his adult life and regularly
contributes to and volunteers with multiple charities, and I really believe
in the ideals this country was founded on. The inhumane way in which this
fund is being administered has me ashamed and embarassed at the lack of
compassion and appropriate consideration our leaders display in allowing the
fund administrators to act in this manner.
All who read this and depend upon the american voters for their support:
Stand and denounce this outrage, or be remembered at election-time; for
cowardly silence in the face of this injustice will NOT be forgotten.
Individual Comment
Brooklyn, NY