R002681
Monday, March 18, 2002 6:18 PM
Unfair Discrimination Against Gays/Lesbians for 9/11 Surviving
Partners
I have just read an on-line article at:
http://uspolitics.about.com/library/weekly/aa031102a.htm
that describes how gay and lesbian partners of survivors are being
discriminated against. The article mentions that gay partners of the
September 11th tragedy will not necessarily be eligble for the
same compensation as heterosexual family members who lost
their loved ones.
The article further mentions that even illegal aliens will receive
benefits! Do I understand correctly that the law is being relaxed
for illegal aliens, but taken literally when it comes to persons that
are gay or lesbian? If so, I want you to know that I think this
is a second tragedy, perhaps worse than that of September 11th.
Please let me know if this hypocrisy is real. I am a gay person
living in California and have felt that I've been a second-class
citizen all of my life (I'm now 46). Just as black persons were
denied basic equal rights in recent history, so are gay persons today.
It was wrong to discriminate against blacks then and it is wrong
to discriminate against gays and lesbians today.
And, giving benefits to illegal aliens proves that this isn't a legal
matter. Benefits are being given to ILLEGAL residents, but
are not being given to the surviving partners of gays and lesbians.
This is inequitable and un-American.
Shame on those who are promoting this kind of hate.
This kind of hate is what we detest in the terrorists around the world.
Please write me back or send me an e-mail telling me that
this inequity will be resolved, or provide me with an explanation
that I as an American citizen and taxpayer feel I deserve and
am officially requesting of you.
I await your reply,
Individual Comment
Mountain View, CA