R001780
Monday, March 18, 2002 11:34 PM
Please unbias the Victim Commpensation Fund to include same-sex
partners of 9/11
To whom it may concern,
On September 11th we all lost members of our ethnic, religious,
political, social, and communities. This tremendous loss has had devastating
affects on all of us. On September 10th I went to bed as a 27yo,
college-educated, gay, Italian- American. On September 11th when I finally
was able to lay myself down I was simply an American. Proud of my country
and the life that I was privileged enough to lead in the land of the free.
Liberty and justice for all. For the first time in my life I stopped
identifying myself by what made me different and instead by the one thing
that we all share. We are all Americans, united in the land of opportunity
for all.
Over the past six months I , like most of us, have tried to make
sense of what has happened and how I fit into the post Sept 11th America.
While my recovery has not been easy, I have found comfort in the attitudes of
others. Our country has taken a step back to appreciate one another more
than ever before. People in general, for now, seem to more united and
tolerate of one another. This has helped me to heal, knowing that I can find
solus in my fellow citizen because we have been united by a horrific tragedy.
Then came the announcement that same-sex partners are excluded
from receiving benefits from the 9/11 fund. I feel, now more than ever,
excluded from my peers. Almost as if our bloodshed means nothing to the
country we live in, serve, and die for as did in Pennsylvania.
I really feel that in circumstances where financial and or medical dependency
can be established, same-sex partners should receive compensation. This
money was raised in part by our community as well. I urge you to please send
the message of unity to all Americans and show that my love for my country is
valued equally as it should with all Americans.
Thank You,
Individual Comment
Johnston, Rhode Island