dojA004097.xml

dojA004097.xml

born-digital

email

yes

no

2001-12-20

Thursday, December 20, 2001 2:21 AM
equal access


December 20, 2001

Dear Mr. Kenneth Zwick,

It is a shame that in this day and age, a person can be discriminated upon
solely because of his/her sexual orientation. As an African-American, I
have been made to endure much suffering in terms of slander and media hype.
I look to my government to be above the common woe. My brothers and
sisters in Amnesty International are committed to making sure that the
victims of the horrendous tragedy on September 11th need not suffer
needlessly. 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 human rights tragedy of September 11 are treated with
dignity and equality.

I appreciate your taking time out to read my letter and wish you a
wonderful holiday season.

Sincerely,

Individual Comment
San Antonio, TX

2001-12-20