R002362
Wednesday, March 20, 2002 1:32 PM
Gay and Lesbian Partners of 9/11 Victims and Heroes
I was shocked to learn that partners of gay and lesbian victims of the 9/11
attacks will not be compensated for their losses, unlike the families of
heterosexual victims. Do you understand that many of the people who died
were gay and lesbian, and that many of them died valiantly while trying to
stop the attackers, or giving aid to other victims? It is entirely unfair
that people who were in committed, long-term relationships and have already
suffered great loss, should be subjected to further suffering by being
denied equitable compensation because their relationships are not recognized
by the federal government. If we are in fact a government "of the people,
by the people and for the people", you must rescind this policy. As the
constitution states, we in the United States have come together ". . . to
form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility,
provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the
blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity . . . " By excluding a
select group of your fellow Americans, you exclude us all.
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