dojR002524.xml

dojR002524.xml

born-digital

email

yes

no

2002-03-21

Thursday, March 21, 2002 12:58 PM
Unconstitutional Discrimination

Dear Kenneth L. Zwick - Director,

I am writing to express my deep disappointment in the government's decision
to exclude certain American citizens from compensation and support following
the attacks on our country. The 9/11 Fund, created by Congress, would do
more to honor our lost countrymen and their families if the Fund were to
include all Americans in its mission.

I understand that our society's bigotry toward gay-Americans is rooted in
deeply held religious beliefs. Religious beliefs which teach that
homosexuality is somehow immoral in the eyes of God. However, our
Constitution explicity states that government policy should not be
determined by or contingent upon the establishment of a state religion.
There is to be a separation of church and state. Christian Americans have
every right to believe what they will about homosexuality and
homosexual-Americans. They do not, however, have the right to steer
government policy based on those beliefs. Especially not when time and time
again, policy has been steered toward discrimination and hatred.

I would remind you, Sir, that Christian beliefs and Scriptures were once
used to defend the institution of slavery. Christians once pointed out
passages from Scripture which were believed to mean that blacks were somehow
divinely mandated to be slaves. Much as modern Christians point out
passages that are believed to mean that homosexuality is immoral. I am
quite sure you will agree with me that slavery was a deplorable institution.

I find myself questioning just what it is that we, as a nation, are fighting
against in this war on terrorism. Religious extremists have recently
imprisoned homosexuals in Egypt, beheaded homosexuals in Saudi Arabia, and
shamefully, excluded homosexuals in America from a fund created by the
government, for the people. All of the people.

Regrettably,

Individual Comment
San Francisco, CA

2002-03-21