dojN001224.xml

dojN001224.xml

born-digital

email

yes

no

2001-12-30

Sunday, December 30, 2001 11:56 AM
Benefits for All Surviving Partners


December 30, 2001

Dear Mr. Kenneth Zwick,

I write as a member of Amnesty International, in support of equal access to
benefits under the September 11 Victims Relief Fund for all victims,
regardless of sexual orientation or marital status.

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.

Thank you very much for considering these concerns as you take on the
difficult job of administering the available funds equitably and
efficiently.

Sincerely,

Individual Comment
Silver Spring, MD

2001-12-30