N000677
Friday, December 21, 2001 10:28 PM
Crisis Relief - Equal Access
December 21, 2001
Dear Mr. Kenneth Zwick,
In the wake of September 11, America must put aside its prejudices and
differences and stand as one in repairing the damage and helping the
survivors. That means distributing the Victims Relief Fund for all victims
equally, regardless of sexual orientation or marital status. As you know,
the United States has committed to uphold international human rights
standards, including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the
International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which prohibit
arbitrary discrimination.
As you consider rules for administering the relief fund, I ask that you
apply basic international human rights standards, and the general principle
of equality, by including among relatives eligible for compensation those
who lost their life partners, as well as de facto parents or children,
without regard to sexual orientation or marital status. The State of New
York has already adopted such a policy, granting compensation benefits "on
a showing of mutual interdependence with the victim, in recognition that
anyone who shared with the victim living expenses, day to day activities
and the emotional bonds of family deserves help in this time of need."
Many lesbian and gay people were killed in the September 11th attacks.
Since then, lesbian and gay surviving partners of those killed have had
mixed results in obtaining equal treatment at the local level in the
distribution of relief funds by private and state agencies. An inclusive
policy on the part of the federal government would help establish an
important principle for other such funds. In compensating victims, real
justice will be served only when all families - and all types of families -
impacted by the tragedy of September 11 are treated with dignity and
equality.
Thank you for considering my concerns. I look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Individual Comment
Cambridge, MA