R002693
Friday, March 22, 2002 5:22 PM
Same Sex Benefits
This is in response to a recent news story I read, which covered Kenneth Feinberg's remarks on Meet The Press about dispersion of benefits to same sex partners of victims who perished on 9/11:
To Whom It May Concern:
Sometimes, it makes me sick to wake up in this country. I am absolutely appalled to hear that surviving same sex partners of September 11 victims are being treated as second-class citizens, and in many cases may be denied any support from the September 11 funds.
In our apparent "War On Terrorism," we are touting that tolerance is a top priority, that we will not tolerate those who discriminate on any basis. The United States claims to be a tolerant country, where everyone has equal rights. Yet, what a blatant, discriminatory action, to not federally take charge of ending discrimination against same-sex couples. A committed union, regardless of the sex of its partners, is a relationship that is sacred. And let us not forget that each person who died on that day contributed in many ways to this country whether it be raising a family, supporting charitable organizations, volunteering personal time, paying taxes, sending a child to college, even just doing his/her job well.
It is HIGH TIME we learn from our own prejudices and fix this horrendous situation. Otherwise, in essence, we aren't one bit better than the men who planned those attacks or the men that carried them out.
I challenge whomever reads this email to act, to not cower, to do what is fundamentally right.
Sincerely,
Individual Comment
Colorado