dojR000786.xml

dojR000786.xml

born-digital

email

yes

no

2002-03-14

Thursday, March 14, 2002 5:21 PM
in reguards to the victims families of the attack sept. 11


Dear Mr. President,
This is the first time I have ever tried to contact you directly. I have
emailed my senator in the past through websites designed to be proactive
towards all types of injustices all over the world. But this morning I was
sent an e-mail that I simply can't ignore.
This morning I read an e-mail that explains that the compensation for
the families of the victims of the terrorist attacks will not include
partners of gay/lesbian victims. Why is this? Did these people not die like
all the other victims? Do their loved ones not suffer just as much as the
loved ones of the heterosexual victims? Is it not absurd to even have to
write this to you?? When Americans donated their time to help with the
tragedy, they didn't stop to ask who was gay and who was straight. The
firemen that lost their lives trying to save people in the twin towers didn't
stop to ask that question either. And when Americans from all walks of life
reached in their pockets to give money to help with the devastation, no one
specified that their donations should go to only heterosexual families. When
America stood together to prove to the terrorists that we will not run and
hide from these hanus crimes, we all held hands together. And no one, NO ONE,
stopped to ask if the hand they held was that of a gay or straight American.
Now, six months later, as we remember, and try to get on with our lives, why
is this question suddenly a valid one to ask? Why is state law now the
president for who "deserves" compensation? It is not a question of morality.
It is not a matter for the state. You have a list of names of the people who
died that day. Those people, all of them, were equal on that day. No one
stopped to ask which chooses to recognize same sex marriages has no bearing
here. It has no relevance. It doesn't bring back any of the lost. It doesn't
change what happened, or the fact that some of those gay victims are probably
responsible for saving our beautiful capital from even more devastation. And
now, the ones left behind, who loved and lost these people are being violated
again and again. It is in the most vile of taste to even ask the question of
whether or not same sex partners who lost loved ones on set. 11 deserve
compensation. Has no one in Washington dc any sense of decency?
You are supposed to protect and serve us, the American people. All of
the American people. Not just the ones who stand for what you stand, or
believe in what you believe. You are supposed to rise above your own beliefs
for the greater good. You are supposed to be the voice for all
Americans...not just straight Americans. For the record, I am a heterosexual
American citizen. And when I read that sexual orientation is going to dictate
how the money, that Americans far and wide gave so generously, is divided I
simply cannot sit and let it happen without at least trying to get through to
you, our president of these united states, and ask you to do your job! See
that each loved one of each victim is given compensation, like it was meant
to be. It is the only way it should be. Just as you took charge on that
fateful day, and just as America stood behind you and trusted you, I implore
that you do what is right...take charge and make sure that each and every
single victims loved ones are compensated for their loss. For their loss is
all of our losses. Not one person in this country escaped suffering that
horrible day. We will never forget. Don't make us suffer again.
Thank you Mr. President.
Sincerely,

Individual Comment
San Francisco, CA

2002-03-14