dojR002137.xml

dojR002137.xml

born-digital

email

yes

no

2002-03-13

Wednesday, March 13, 2002 11:25 PM
Kenneth Feinberg's comments


To Whom It May Concern:

I am saddened by Kenneth Feinberg's comments on "Meet the Press" this past Sunday. I am ashamed that my government would see fit to so openly discriminate against Gays and Lesbians, people who were equally devastated by the events of September 11. I rejoice over the new found freedoms of the women of Afghanistan, but wonder how we can call other governments discriminatory when we won't even acknowledge such a large, politically active, community-oriented group in our own country.

Is there something that tells you that gays and lesbians grieve less, sacrifice less, or in any way are less affected than other U.S. Citizens by these events? How can you in good conscience say that you will forgive immigration violations to compensate illegal immigrants, yet ignore and marginalize a group of citizens who were legally employed? How can you look into the faces of the loved ones of those who died - people who loved and cared for the victims as much as any spouse - and tell them that they don't count simply because of their sexual orientation? I think the obvious answer is that you decline to look at them at all. For that you should be ashamed, especially to wrap your discrimination in the cloak of warding off lawsuits, an incredibly specious argument and one not worthy of consideration. Not in this country, not in this time.

I hope that you will reconsider your actions, take the right and moral step and compensate those who lost loved ones, regardless of their sexual orientation. I expect my government to act in a more noble manner.


Individual Comment
Seattle, Washington

2002-03-13