R001892
Monday, March 18, 2002 12:24 PM
A distressed query
I am distressed that, according to Kenneth Feinberg in his appearance on the
Sunday, March 10 broadcast of NBC's "Meet the Press," illegal aliens will be
compensated for their losses incurred during the violence on 911, but gay
men and lesbians cannot be unless their domestic situation has been
recognized by their state's laws.
Illegal aliens have actively VIOLATED our laws, yet compensation will be
granted to them --with promises moreover that once they come forward to
claim it, there will be no recrimination or retribution of any kind.
There is of course NO STATE LAW ANYWHERE that condones the violation of the
immigration laws of the nation. Why are State laws being "honored" in one
instance, and being considered unimportant in the other?
Unless they have criminal records, the gay men and lesbians who died on
September 11 were law-abiding citizens, and the same goes for their partners
and family members. The absence of state laws santioning their life choices
is simply a consequence of long-standing and indefensible prejudice.
I am offended that the 911 Fund intends to compensate those who broke the
law while penalizing those who abided by it. The prejudice inherent in this
announced practice is un-American to say the least. It dishonors the fallen
and does inexcusable harm to those they left behind.
Individual Comment
Baltimore, MD