dojN001133.xml

dojN001133.xml

born-digital

email

yes

no

2001-12-28

Friday, December 28, 2001 5:29 PM

Provide equal relief to gay and lesbian partners


December 28, 2001

Dear Mr. Kenneth Zwick,

I am writing in support of equal access to benefits under the Sept. 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. New York State 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 Sept. 11 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 Sept. 11 tragedy are treated with
dignity and equality.

Thank you for considering my concerns. I look forward to hearing from you
about your efforts to ensure that all surviving victims of the Sept. 11
attacks have equal access to the relief fund.


Sincerely,

Individual Comment

Denville, NJ

2001-12-28