R002241
Tuesday, March 19, 2002 6:28 PM
Gays and Lesbians can be heroes also!
3/19/02
To Whom It May Concern:
Gays and Lesbians seem to be worthy enough when it comes to our government
taking our tax money to support government officials perks and fund government
officials pork spending, but we're not worthy enough to be American Heroes.
If September 11 has taught us anything, it's that our patriotism and love of country transcend our differences and unite us all. We were told that September 11 was the day
that "hyphenated-Americans" were no more, and rather than being Italian-Americans,
African-Americans or gay-Americans, we were now simply Americans, all of us together
as one American family. Apparently, that family just got a divorce.
The hyphens seem not to matter when our government wants to use our heroism to inspire
others, but when it comes time to actually aid the families of those heroes, the hyphens come back with a vengeance, and it seems that some American heroes are now more equal than others.
I'm extremely outraged that gay and lesbian partners of those who died on September 11
are not automatically going to receive the same benefits as heterosexual spouses.
Yes, I am a proud, gay, American.. but right now I?m not proud of a
government, MY government that would deny proceeds from the September 11
Victim Compensation Fund to worthy individuals, just because they are gay.
Respectfully,
Individual Comment