September 11 Digital Archive

dojR001096.xml

Title

dojR001096.xml

Source

born-digital

Media Type

email

Created by Author

yes

Described by Author

no

Date Entered

2002-03-16

September 11 Email: Body

Saturday, March 16, 2002 4:38 PM
Exlclusion of Partners of Gay/Lesbian Americans to benefits
To: The US Department of Justice

CC: US Senator Richard Lugar (R-IN), US Senator Evan Bayh (D-IN), Rep. Julia Carson (D-IN)

On the 11th of September, 2001, our country was changed forever when a vicious attack was perpetrated against our country, and I am afraid that some of my fellow citizens will be victimized again by the people that represent me in the Executive Branch. I realize the term "victimized" is a strong word to use, but I could not think of a more discreet and oblique word to use.
I was outraged to find out that the partners of Gay/Lesbian Americans who died on 09/11 may be excluded from making a claim to the 09/11 Fund. I fail to see why. If all unborn children and even illegal aliens are covered and can make a claim, why can't the partners of Gay/Lesbian full American citizens? If it is the reason that these people were not legally married, I would counter that most of these people would have been legally married if they had been allowed.
I think of Mr. , who heroically helped bring down the hijacked plane in Pennsylvania possibly sparing the lives of more people that would have been lost. I think of , a New York Fire Department , who was giving last rites as one of the towers of the World Trade Center came crashing down on him. These are just two of the many Gay/Lesbian Americans who lost their lives. The ones who left partners have suffered just as much as the husbands/wives/children who lost their loved ones.
I firmly believe that if this exclusion is made, then the bravery of , , and all of the others will have been in vain, due to simple prejudice and discrimination. Period.
Thank you so much for this opportunity to state my comment.

Sincerely Yours,

Individual Comment
Indianapolis, Indiana

September 11 Email: Date

2002-03-16

Citation

“dojR001096.xml,” September 11 Digital Archive, accessed November 19, 2024, https://911digitalarchive.org/items/show/31150.