dojR001827.xml

dojR001827.xml

born-digital

email

yes

no

2002-03-18

Monday, March 18, 2002 10:17 PM
DISCRIMINATION

To: Kenneth L. Zwick, Director
Office of Management Programs

Re: Sept 11 Victim Compensation Fund Discriminates Against Gays and their Families

I was quite enraged to learn that Kenneth Feinberg has stated that gay partners of the victims of Sept 11 will not necessarily be eligible for the same compensation as heterosexual family members who lost their loved ones. Sept 11 ushered in a new era of American compassion. "We are all New Yorkers," was a common sentiment. The sense of the united "American family" emerged. Some gay people were not simply victims of the Sept 11 events but were heroes; some such heroes were honored by members of the US Congress for their courageous deeds to, for instance, divert Flight 93 from crashing into the United States Capitol. Now six months later such Americans are officially being declared a lesser kind of hero because they were gay. DISCRIMINATION IS UN-AMERICAN. It is love that makes a family and respect which makes a democracy. Please be fair and just in the dissemination of compensation funds and honor all involved families regardless of sexual orientation.
Thank you.



Individual Comment
Ashland, OR

2002-03-18