dojR000929.xml

dojR000929.xml

born-digital

email

yes

no

2002-03-16

Saturday, March 16, 2002 1:43 PM
A complaint

I am writing to express my disappointment and disbelief with the revelation
that benefits may not be extended to gay and lesbian partners who lost loved
ones in the events of 9/11. I think it is completely unthinkable to not
extend the same same support to everyone who needs it, regardless of their
sexual orientation.

Sexual orientation has no affect on the level of loss these people have
experienced, it does not change their grief or need for compassion. The
fact that the government will extend the benefits to illegal aliens by over
looking their status shows a great level of understanding, but why is this
not extended to the same sex partners? While it can be argued that same sex
partners do not have the luxury of enjoying the same rights heterosexual
couples do in the eyes of the legal system, illegal aliens also do not enjoy
the governmental protected right to assistance. How can the system
accommodate one set of victims without extending this coverage to all?

I would have thought that the events of 9/11 would have showed everyone that
we as a country feel the same pain and are all deeply touched by the loses.
We need to do all we can for everyone who has lost a love one, regardless of
sexual orientation, race, immigration status and ethnicity.

Thank you for your time,

Individual Comment
Portland, OR

2002-03-16