R001218
Saturday, March 16, 2002 8:11 PM
(no subject)
Dear Sir:
The recent controversy over whether partners of gay people killed in the 9/11
tragedy are eligible for compensation funds has me very concerned. I believe
that this tragedy had, and has, the opportunity to unite Americans in a
unique way. The fact that so many Americans of different beliefs and
backgrounds and races could be united by this tragedy underlines the hope
that we can all be equal under the laws of this nation, and that we all can
benefit from the charity and kindness of the communities in which we live, at
the very least, in equal proportion to which we contribute to our
communities. The galling truth is that in this nation there are people who
are decidedly unequal under the law, and even under the values and
perceptions of the community as a whole. All the people who died in 9/11
and their relatives and loved ones are entitled to at least the same
proportionate support, understanding and compensation from that tragedy.
Denying benefits to gay partners, those who survived this tragedy without
their loved ones, is an outrage. It is immoral on its face. It is a
travesty of the values we all seek to protect, and it is yet another cruel
slap in the face to those who contribute their votes, their taxes, their
productive capacity, and their lives to this nation.
Benefits and monetary compensation are a small and entirely inadequate way to
comfort those who have lost loved ones. Leaving out an entire group from
even this comfort is deplorable. It reinforces the second rate status of a
certain group, gays, at a time when we are all called upon to come together
and face this tragedy as a unified nation. This insult to millions of
Americans who count themselves as gay or lesbian, bisexual or transgendered
is nothing more than the height of hypocrisy from a from any organization
that seeks to unify this nation, and convince us all of its responsibility,
reliability and beneficence.
I have learned that counting on the understanding of a person, much less a
bureacracy, inured to understanding the plight of others can be futile. But
as you consider the charitable contributions, government aid and any other
aid, moral or financial, that you grant the families and survivors of people
killed in 9/11, be aware that you will be denying that aid to many proud,
decent, prodcutive and patriotic people who need that aid as much as any
other.
I remain hopeful that this nation will someday regard all its citizens as
equals, but not as pariahs simply due to their sexual orientation. I remain
hopeful that all decent people who contribute to this country of their
talents and ambitions will be fully recognized on their merits as human
beings. Also, I hope that the deficiencies in many of our laws, and the
ignorance and, sometimes venality, of many of our people will someday change.
Finally, I hope its not to much to believe that gay partners of those who
died on 9/11 may be treated with some decency, understanding and respect
under the guise of the 9/11 Fund.
Respectfully,
Individual Comment