N000903
Tuesday, December 25, 2001 5:42 PM
Equal Access for Gay and Lesbian partners
December 25, 2001
Dear Mr. Kenneth Zwick,
I write as a member of Amnesty International, a worldwide human rights
movement committed to ensuring respect for the basic human rights of people
without discriminatio. In October the US congress passed wonderful
legislation that would lead to the creation of a federal fund to
compensate the family members affected by the Sep. 11th tragedy. I write
to you, hoping that the lesbian and gay partners are not forgotten in the
distribution of these relief funds. International human rights standards
like the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which the US is held
accountable to, prohibit discrimination. The Justice Department must stick
to the principles of equality and follow the example of New York state by
granting compensation, "On a showing of mutual interdependence with the
victim, in recognition that anyone who shared with the victim living
expences, day to day activities and the emotional bonds of family deserves
help in this time of need." All of the victims deserve our love and help
at this time. I am asking that the Justice department bring real justice
with this legislation and include the surviving lesbian and gay partners by
giving them equal access to crises and relief benefits. Thank you for your
time.
Sincerely,
Individual Comment
Mankato, MN