R001724
Monday, March 18, 2002 10:10 AM
Sept. 11 Fund and gays
To Whom It May Concern,
Am I to understand correctly that the fund created by Congress to offer aid
to the famlies of the victims of Sept. 11 will not include those famlies of
gay and lesbian victims? This is an outrage and nothing but complete
discrimination. If this fund was created for "all Americans" who died that
day, then are gay and lesbians not Americans? Are their partners and
families not equal when these funds are distributed?
I also understand unborn children and illegal aliens are covered under the
fund. How can a person who is illegally working or living in this country
receive benefits when a gay, LEGAL man whose life-partner died cannot? The
head of the fund has said that he's leaving the decision up to state
law--well, guess what? Most of the state laws dictate that gay men and
lesbian women cannot be domestic partners, and shall not receive federal
benefits. How, convenient for you. Wouldn't want to deal with minor
details, would we, even if it is blatant discrimination at it's deepest
core? You'll overloook someone who was in this country illegally, but you
will discriminate against a tax-paying American-born man who lived his life
as best as he can and happened to be gay?
Gay men and women who were killed either at the Pentegon or in the World
Trade Center deserve to have thier memories valued, too. I ask you to
please consider offering the Sept. 11 Fund to gay and lesbian AMERICANS,
too. To do otherwise brings a dark cloud of shame over this country.
Sincerely,
Individual Comment
New York, NY
(living one mile from the World Trade Center)