dojA000757.xml

dojA000757.xml

born-digital

email

yes

no

2001-12-05

Wednesday, December 05, 2001 10:18 AM
September 11th Compensation fund

Kenneth L. Zwick, Director
Office of Management Programs
U.S. Department of Justice

I am writing today to ask you to consider a policy for distribution of funds that will not discriminate on grounds of sexual orientation.

I am asking the Justice Department to include 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.

I am asking you to follow 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."

From the brave young gay man who lost his life on the plane attempting to save the lives of innocent people... to the gay priest who lost his life
while ministering at Ground Zero... to the many lesbian and gay employees working in the World Trade Center... it is vitally important that we demand that our government treat all of our families with dignity and respect and equality.

Within our own Metropolitan Community Churches, our lives have forever been touched by the death of , a member of MCC New York, and the horrific loss experienced by her life partner and their teenage son.

Thank you for your consideration in matters of justice,

Individual Comment
Augusta, GA

2001-12-05