R002499
Thursday, March 21, 2002 11:01 AM
anti-gay discrimination is un-American
Dear Sir/Madam:
In a recent appearance on NBC's "Meet the Press," Kenneth Feinberg, the
head of the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund, said that lesbian and
gay partners of people killed in the terrorist attacks of September 11th
will not necessarily be eligible for the same compensation as heterosexual
family members who lost their loved ones. This kind of discrimination is
un-American.
The unfairness of this policy is especially blatant since those
administering this fund have decided to award benefits to illegal
immigrants, non-citizens who are in the US in violation of federal law. Mr.
Feinberg said that the Attorney General has promised not to expel illegal
immigrants who come forward to claim benefits, or to penalize their
employers. Under the circumstances, this type of generosity is commendable.
But if the law can be bent to help illegal immigrants, as it should be, it
should also be bent to help lesbian and gay partners who lost a loved one
in the terrorist attacks, regardless of what the laws in their places of
residence say about domestic partnership or civil unions. We're talking
about tax-paying US citizens here.
Gay heroes like and
died in the attacks. Their bravery demands the change of this
outrageous and un-American policy.
Yours,
Individual Comment
Providence, RI