R002282
Tuesday, March 19, 2002 10:44 PM
"...WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL"
Being an loyal American, a tax payer, a registered voter, a Christian, a
homeowner, a career professional, a contributor to worthy causes, a
loving son, brother and uncle and a human being, I am 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. The only difference between myself and the majority of
American men is that I am gay American. The only reason why these
benefits are in question is because we, as gay men and lesbian women,
have no laws that acknowledge or validate our commitments as couples and
loving human beings. We suffer the loss of a loved one just as strongly
as a heterosexual man or woman. We are affected with the same financial
and legal problems.
Point being, we are the same.
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 gay and lesbian heroes to inspire others.
However, when it comes time to actually aid the families of
those heroes, the hyphens come back with a vengeance.
It seems that some American heroes are now more equal than others.
In recent interviews, the head of the September 11
Victim Compensation Fund (a fund created by Congress to help
the families of those who died on September 11) has made it
clear that the partners of gay and lesbian heroes of
September 11 will not necessarily receive the same benefits as the
spouses of heterosexual victims of the horrible terror attacks.
This is not acceptable to me as an American.
Even fetuses and illegal aliens will be receiving benefits under this
program. They have even promised to overlook Federal Law and not arrest
or deport the families of illegal aliens. Nor will they punish
American companies that hired these illegals in violation of Federal
Labor Laws.
But when it comes to gay and lesbian heroes of the day
-
who helped bring down the flight in Pennsylvania,
-
who died in the
line of duty when the first tower fell,
-
who was
of the plane that crashed into the
(there are many more) -
we are told the law is the law and no exceptions can be made.
Then WHY are exceptions being made to fetuses who some people believe
(and I'm not one of them) that they are not human beings until birth.
WHY are exceptions being made to Illegal Aliens?
They are not Americans. They have not paid taxes. They have not
contributed to the American Dream. They HAVE abused the system for
financial gain. Why should we allow them to 'again' obtain financial
gain when gay men and lesbian women, who have paid their dues, are
denied this privilege? And Yes, I do consider it to be a Privilege.
Gay men and Lesbian women are Americans.
We have Rights.
We deserve "...with Liberty and Justice for ALL".
But where is it?
Sincerely,
Individual Comment