dojR001494.xml

dojR001494.xml

born-digital

email

yes

no

2002-03-17

Sunday, March 17, 2002 5:13 PM
equal compensation

I've recently received a link to an article that suggests that same sex partners of victims of 9/11 will not be compensated the same as other family members of non gay victims.
The article, based on a Meet the Press interview, states the reasoning behind the decision as the need to adhere to individual states' laws governing same sex relationships.
I'm very disturbed by the possibility that illegal aliens and their families will be taken care of by the fund with no punitive recourse regarding their illegal status in the US. And companies who hired illegal workers will also not be punished when they come forward to discuss compensation for their workers' families?
Can this be true?
Federal and state laws will be pushed aside for illegal workers. People who, although precious as human life and undeserving of the tragedy that befell them, were breaking our laws yet will be welcome to reach their hands into the funds coffers while honest tax paying Americans, partners of the people we call heroes who happen to be gay or lesbian, will be considered less important.
How can we claim to honor the heroes of that day while turning our backs on the people those heroes held so dear.
Surely I've been misinformed and simply require clarification.
Please respond,
Thank you

Individual Comment
NYC resident

2002-03-17