R001792
Monday, March 18, 2002 6:30 PM
Equal Compensation
To Whom It May Concern:
I am writing this to express my outrage that gay and lesbian heroes of
September 11 are being neglected in regards to compensation for loved
ones left behind. Considering how many other "exceptions" are being
made (such as with illegal aliens) there is no justifiable reason that
the spouses and partners of gays and lesbians killed on September 11
should be overlooked. The fact that we cannot have "legal" marriages in
this country yet is not our fault, but rather a problem with the laws
which will hopefully be corrected over time. In retrospect, it is now
hard to believe that there was ever a time in our country when women and
blacks were denied so many rights, including the right to vote! Some
day, this kind of discrimination against gays and lesbians should look
equally as shocking and unbelievable.
Many gay and lesbian couples would have a marriage license if they were
able to; don't cut them out just because at this time they can't get
one! Gays and lesbians involved in September 11 are heroes just as much
as everyone else involved, and those left behind are in just as much
pain as everyone else impacted by the event. Show the compassion that
everyone was lauding in the weeks/months following the tragedy, and do
whatever can be done to assist our gay brothers and sisters affected by
the disaster! It is the only just thing to do!
Sincerely,
Individual Comment
Pasadena, CA