R002190
Tuesday, March 19, 2002 1:09 PM
Second class citizens
Kenneth L. Zwick, Director
Office of Management Programs
Civil Division
U.S. Department of Justice
Main Building, Room 3140
950 Pennsylvania Avenue
Washington, DC 20530
Dear Mr. Zwick,
It's outrageous that gays and lesbians continue to be treated as second-class
citizens in this country. If the United States will not give gays and
lesbians in long-term committed relationships the right to marry, it should
not be able to discriminate against them further by denying them benefits
available to married spouses. Do you really believe there's a difference in a
loving relationship between heterosexuals and one between gays and lesbians?
Despite the disproportionate wealth gays and lesbians generate for this
country's economy, and the incalculable cultural and intellectual
contributions we make, we continue to be treated as second-class citizens.
This is a country founded on a lie: that all men are created equal. In some
respects, the history of this country is the story of its struggle to make
good on a largely unfulfilled promise. How well it succeeds will be the
measure of its greatness.
Sincerely yours and absolutely embarrassed to be an American,
P.S. My personal wish for you is that you're fortunate enough to experience
even a tenth of the joy, love, and happiness with which God has blessed my
beautiful gay family.
Individual Comment
Ossining, NY