dojA000764.xml

dojA000764.xml

born-digital

email

yes

no

2001-12-05

Wednesday, December 05, 2001 10:41 AM
Just Distribution of Sept 11 Victim Compensation Fund

Dear Members of the Justice Department,

As you finalize the details of the September 11 Victim Compensation Fund, I
write to urge you to take all kinds of families into account as you consider
who should receive compensation. Please be sure to include among relatives
eligible for compensation those who lost their same-sex life partners, as
well as de facto parents or children, without regard to sexual orientation
or marital status.
Please consider the example already set by New York Governor Pataki in
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."
Thank you for your just and equitable distribution of these funds in this
time of terrible tragedy. The pain and loss of gay, lesbian, bisexual and
transgendered partners, their parents and children is no less than that of
married couples and their families. I give thanks for your serious
attention to their needs.
With Prayers for Peace,

Individual Comment
Chicago, IL

2001-12-05