R001896
Monday, March 18, 2002 12:34 PM
Sept.11 Families
I read about the fact that partners of gay and lesbian victims of Sept.11th will not be receiving the same benefits as others. I am a
40yr. old hispanic-lesbian born and raised in N.Y.C. now serving as a law enforcement officer in the state of Florida for close to
10 years and I am as sad this day as I was on 9-11. When I saw the towers fall having lived only blocks from them and having
worked in tower one at one time a part of me died. I was proud of my fellow New Yorkers who came together in what I believe
will be the most horrific act in American history. I was proud of so many things that came from that terrible day. I was
overwhelmed with emotion that with great pride it was made clear to the public of the heroic acts of several homosexuals. Neither
these individuals nor anyone else should be defined according to their sexual orientation but having made their sexual orientation
public gave me an even bigger sense of pride. So many people young and old dealing with being gay or close to someone who is
were allowed a chance to be prouder that day. They, as well as I were allowed to be no more or no less Americans in a common
goal and a common grief. I collected approximately $500.00 dollars for the family of a fire fighter killed in the towers and sent it to
them in N.Y. I did this because I am an American proud to do something good for a fellow American who has fallen. I should not
be defined as a lesbian who did this but as an American. The family members of victims who made thousands of dollars more then
other victims should not be defined as deserving more compensation, everyone was equal that day. No one fell slower or landed
softer to their deaths, no one bled gold blood or broke bones made of silver. My point is that all the victims suffered horrific deaths
and the family and friends left behind live each day without those they counted on, loved and shared their world with.
Don't undermine one for another because who they love or how they love is different then the majority. Prejudice, hatred and
intolerance for different beliefs is what created the acts of Sept. 11th in the first place. Let not fellow Americans disgrace those
who fell as well as those left behind by initiating the same acts. If wentitled;Americans are now going to pick and choose who is
or isn't deserving or intitiled based on personal differences then we have no right sending our young men and woman to fight for
peace, tolerance, equality and to stand against terrorism. The truth is that some left behind are now facing at the hands of other
Americans, unpeace, intolerance, unequality and are being terrorized by all this. I am proud of my country please don't let me and
so many others down.
Thank you for your time
Individual Comment
Charlotte Florida