R002567
Thursday, March 21, 2002 5:34 PM
Compensation for domestic partner spouses
As a physician and an insurance agent, we wish to go on record to protest the
failure of the 9/11 fund to cover domestic partners and co-parented children
of those who died in the September 11 terrorist attacks.
First, two of the affected cities, New York and San Francisco, have for many
years had legal status for registered domestic partners. In New York, where
we are registered domestic partners, both gay people and heterosexuals may
register their partnership, as long as they live together and are not married
to anyone else. So for victims from those cities, there is legal precedent.
Additionally, many employers nationwide have insurance coverage for domestic
partners, and the biological or adopted offspring of domestic partners. They
realize what you do not: that it is the right thing to do. Love makes a
family. No family should suffer when the breadwinner dies.
When we walked the streets of New York in those first terrible days and
looked at the pictures of the missing, so many of them were under the age of
40. Many were in their 20s. We had not made a will, when we were that age.
These young people did not expect to die in an act of terrorism. They are
not to be blamed for not protecting their families. You are, if you
perpetuate the injustice.
Sincerely,
Individual Comment