R002040
Monday, March 18, 2002 4:58 PM
More Discrimination
To the Victims Compensation Fund:
I am outraged to learn that gay and lesbian partners of those who
died on Sept. 11th will not automatically receive the same benefits
as heterosexual spouses. It's bad enough that our gay and lesbian
family members and friends who are in long-term, committed
relationships are not allowed to enjoy the full legal and financial
benefits associated with marriage in other aspects of their lives. In
this case, it is scandalous and downright un-American that they
should be denied equal benefits, having lost the one they shared
their lives with to an act of terrorism. Their loss is no less than
those of surviving spouses. Anyone who thinks so needs to get to know
gay people who are married in every sense of the word except by law.
It's one thing for straight people who decide not to marry to forfeit
the legal and financial benefits of marriage. That is their choice.
But gay people have no choice to legalize their relationships. We
treat them as second class citizens in this respect, and in doing so
we dishonor their committed, loving relationships. Failing to honor
them in this instance betrays an unfounded belief that gay people do
not deserve what the rest of the world is entitled to, simply because
they are not straight. That's outrageous and wrong, and I urge you to
reconsider.
Individual Comment