R001361
Sunday, March 17, 2002 9:27 AM
Discrimination is un-American!!!
I am writing because I am outraged that gay and lesbian partners of
those who died on September 11 are not automatically going to receive
the same benefits as heterosexual spouses.
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!!! Imagine even fetuses and
illegal aliens will be receiving benefits under this program - 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, NY Fire Dept. who died in the line of duty when the first tower
fell, and who was co-pilot 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.
ENOUGH IS ENOUGH
If September 11 has taught us anything, it's that our patriotism and
love of country transcend our differences and unite us all. We were
told that September 11 was the day that "hyphenated-Americans" were no
more, and rather than being Italian-Americans, African-Americans or
gay-Americans, we were now simply Americans, all of us together as one
American family. Apparently, that family just got a divorce. The
hyphens seem not to matter when our government wants to use our heroism
to inspire others, but when it comes time to actually aid the families
of those heroes, the hyphens come back with a vengeance, and it seems
that some American heroes are now more equal than others.
As an American citizen, as a tax payer, as an active and registered
voter, I urge and demand that the gay and lesbian partners of those who
died in the September 11th attrocity be treated fairly and justly and
that they receive equal compensation as the spouses and partners of
heterosexual victims. DO THE RIGHT THING!! DO THE AMERICAN THING!!
Individual Comment
Dorchester, MA