dojR000914.xml

dojR000914.xml

born-digital

email

yes

no

2002-03-16

Saturday, March 16, 2002 1:35 PM
Discrimination of Gay and Lesbian Victims of 911

BlankI watched Meet the Press a couple Sundays ago and heard that gay and lesbian families were being treated according to state law and, in most cases, would not be able to benefit from the 911 Fund. I heard how that this was perfectly logical because the 911 Fund could not go against state law. On its face, that logic seemed reasonable. Then, I listened further to how illegal aliens and their families could make a claim and receive compensation. It occurred to me that there was an inequality between how gays and lesbians were being treated and how illegal aliens were being treated. Illegal aliens are sure not being judged by state law. It then occurred to me that there is only one state I know of where gays and lesbians would even have an argument to be able to participate in the 911 fund and that state would be Vermont (perhaps there are other state legal theoriest, but they are just that, theories that will require litigation).

This is fundamentally unfair and the decision to exclude gays and lesbians from the fund should be reversed immediately.

Part of the policy behind the creation of the 911 fund is to unite our country. Excluding gays and lesbians segregates our country. I know we will all one day look back at the discrimination we as a society heap upon our gay and lesbian brothers and sisters, and we will all be embarrassed. Let's recognize this injustice and correct now. Let's not allow history to judge us as bigots.


Individual Comment
Denver, CO

2002-03-16