R002047
Tuesday, March 19, 2002 9:37 AM
911 Fund compensation disbursements
TO: Staff of 9-11 Victims Compensation Fund..
I sent a message to your fund last fall urging that compensation money
be made available to gay and lesbian partners of 9-11 casualties. I also
contributed to the fund. I am unhappy to learn that the top management
of your fund is making public statements indicating the fund will be
guided by various state-level laws regarding eligibility and
determinations of "next of kin." I do not understand why a federal
agency would choose to follow the archaic and inequitable anti-gay
provisions found in most state laws. If you are confused or unsure, then
ask Congress for specific guidance.
I am urging my congressional representatives to enact whatever law
is needed to make sure that domestic partners of 9-11 victims receive
fair treatment, regardless of their sexual orientation, marital status,
etc. There are many methods the Fund could use to determine that Partner
X was a committed life partner of Victim Z - for example, if X is named
as the main beneficiary in Z's will, life insurance or bank account,
that should be construed as evidence of being "next of kin." If X has
shared a postal address or telephone number with Z for at least a year,
that also, should be considered evidence of cohabitation and "next of
kin" status.
Far too often, gay, lesbian, bisexual and transsexual people are
shunned by their biological relatives for many years --- until death
occurs. Then the "bereaved" rush forward to collect the assets left
behind by the person they more or less disowned in life.
The 9-11 events should reinforce our commitment to freedom and
justice. Please don't perpetuate and expand the prejudice found in our
Social Security system and many other aspects of U.S. government. Please
don't dishonor the memory of , and the scores
of other less well-known GLBT people who died on that day.
Individual Comment
Daytona Beach, Florida