R002713
March 15, 2002
Kenneth L. Zwick, Director
Office of Management Programs, Civil Division
U.S. Department of Justice
Main Building, Room 3140
950 Pennsylvania Avenue
Washington, DC 20530
"Whatever games are played with us, we must play no games
with ourselves, but deal in our privacy with the last honesty and
truth."
-Ralph Waldo Emerson
Dear Mr Zwick,
It's no secret, was gay. Like a lot of red-blooded gay and lesbian Americans, 's life was about his career, his family and his friends.
was revered by his fellow firemen, equally by those fallen in 911 and those who survived. And how can we forget 's role in thwarting the terrorist's evil plan to bring down our government?
Have the families, lovers, children, spouses (whether recognized by church, synagogue
of state) of gay and lesbian 9.11 victims suffered any less than the other victims who happen to be straight or illegal aliens? The answer is assuredly, no. If anything, they have
suffered more, because they are not being recognized as "legitimate" family members.
Take a moment, regardless of your religious and moral beliefs, to reflect upon those
people who are left behind. Those that sit across from an empty chair at the dinner table,
those that stare at drawers full of clothes, so little of what is left of their loved ones, and those that sit alone, in the dark, and grapple with the question, why...
Let us not continue these prejudices and get on with the business of living our lives. I urge you to reconsider your policy regarding who is eligible for 9.11 victim benefits.
Very Truly Yours,
Individual Comment
Los Angeles, CA