dojR002906.xml

dojR002906.xml

born-digital

email

yes

no

2002-03-16

Saturday, March 16, 2002

Kenneth L. Zwick, Director
Office of Management Programs
Civil Division
U.S. Department of Justice
Main Building, Room 3140
950 Pennsylvania Avenue
Washington, DC 20530

Re: To the September 11 Victim Compensation Fund

Dear Mr. Zwick:

As a gay-American I am outraged that gay and lesbian partners of those who died on September
11th are not automatically going to receive the same benefits as heterosexual spouses.

The Victim Compensation Fund is granting unborn fetuses and illegal aliens benefits. Where does that leave gay-American surviving partners that were in long term relationships (some of whom have lost their primary income provide)? The Victim Compensation Fund even promises to overlook federal law and NOT arrest and kick out the families of illegal aliens, nor will the Victim Compensation Fund punish American companies that hired illegals in violation of federal labor laws.

This is just another indication of how gay-Americans are considered third class citizens by the US Federal government. I thought that the Bush election mantra was that he was a "uniter not a divider"? Well it looks like we have been divided from the wrest of the population....again!

Please don't exacerbate the September 11th tragedy by singling out surviving gay partners of
those who were lost on that terrible day.

Mr. Zwick, would you really have the hart to look into the faces of those surviving partners of gay and lesbian heroes of the day - who helped bring down the flight in Pennsylvania, and who was of the plane that crashed into the , NYFD firefighters, NYPD officers (there are many more) - and tell them "the law is the law and no exceptions can be made"?

I urge you to please reconsider this unfair and Un-American policy.

Sincerely,

Individual Comment
Cincinnati, Ohio

2002-03-16