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Thursday, March 28, 2002 10:37 PM
stop the cycle of hatred

Submitted by: 

Gay people are just like straight people in a variety of ways: we love, 
laugh, cry, have relationships, and build family structures.  To deny these 
kinds of families benefits when there are more than enough resources to 
provide for everybody attacks is not only irresponsible, but also cruel and 
completely lacking in compassion.  I wish that people in our country, gay and 
straight, were more prone to compassion and humility and less to anger and 
censure.  

Supposing homosexuality were in fact a SIN (which of course, I don't 
personally think it is....)  Well, the way I see it, if LOVE THY NEIGHBOR is 
the ultimate and most important commandment, then to HATE the sinner rather 
show compassion for him or her is a worse sin, and to be full of hate is to 
distance oneself from the divine.  Why fill ourselves with more hatred when 
we have the opportunity to show our love for each other in our American 
family?  Here's another metaphor: after an accident or attack of any kind, an 
individual person needs time and support to recover and heal.  The same goes 
for countries after an attack of this magnitude.  America needs to heal and 
make peace, and denying gays benefits in a time like this only inflicts 
further wounds. 

Individual Comment
San Francisco, CA
 
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December 13, 2001


Special Master Kenneth R. Feinberg
September 11th Victim Compensation Fund
U.S. Department of Justice
950 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20530

To Mr. Feinberg:

I am writing to urge you to ensure fair treatment for all surviving families of the tragedy on September
11th, 
including the children and families of low-wage workers and gay and lesbian families.

Under traditional rules based on lost wages, the survivors of a bond trader earning millions of dollars
per
year might receive thousands of times as much compensation as the survivors of a dishwasher in one of
the
restaurants destroyed. Justice requires looking far beyond the last paycheck to the inherent worth of all
those killed, so that a high minimum compensation level is set to lessen the disparities. It would be a
double
blow to the survivors to first lose their loved one and then watch as most of the taxpayer money went to
those
who were already well off in the first place.

The second major issue has to do with recognizing the legitimacy of gay and lesbian relationships and 
families. Gay and lesbian families are especially vulnerable when one partner is killed. Because the
option of
marriage is unavailable, these families may find themselves in the traumatic predicament of having to
prove
that their union is legitimate. Fortunately, both the Red Cross and the State of New York have already 
announced that they will not discriminate against gay and lesbian families. The Department of Justice
should
do the same.

Thank you for considering my comments. I look forward to hearing how you will act on these very
important 
issues.

Sincerely,
     


Individual Comment
Seattle, WA 
 
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Tuesday, December 04, 2001 9:07 PM


Dear Mr. Zwick:

I am writing in response to the Department's request
for public
comments regarding the forthcoming regulations for
implementing
and administering the "September 11 Victim
Compensation Fund." 
I strongly urge the Department to draft regulations
that ensure
compensation is available to all victims of the
attack,
including the committed partners and the
non-biological children
of gay and lesbian victims.

It is unquestionable that the devastating grief and
economic
losses suffered by the families of gay and lesbian
victims are
no less than that of other families.  Just as the
terrorists
drew no lines in choosing their victims, our country
must draw
no lines in compensating those who suffered the most
personal of
losses from these horrific attacks.

Many Americans lost their lives on September 11, each
of whom
left behind loved ones.  I urge the Department to
honor these
bonds by treating the families of gay and lesbian
victims as you
would any other.

Sincerely,


Individual Comment

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Thursday, December 20, 2001 6:26 AM
Equal Access to Crisis Relief Benefits


December  20, 2001

Dear Mr. Kenneth Zwick,

I write as a member of Amnesty International, a worldwide human rights
movement committed to ensuring respect for the basic human rights of people
without discrimination, in support of equal access to benefits under the
September 11 Victims Relief Fund for all victims, regardless of sexual
orientation or marital status. As you know, the United States has
committed to uphold international human rights standards, including the
Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on
Civil and Political Rights, which prohibit arbitrary discrimination.
  
As you consider rules for administering the relief fund, I ask that you
apply basic international human rights standards, and the general principle
of equality, by including 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.  The State of New
York has already adopted such a policy, 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."

Many lesbian and gay people were killed in the September 11th attacks.
Since then, lesbian and gay surviving partners of those killed have had
mixed results in obtaining equal treatment at the local level in the
distribution of relief funds by private and state agencies.  An inclusive
policy on the part of the federal government would help establish an
important principle for other such funds.  In compensating victims, real
justice will be served only when all families - and all types of families -
impacted by the human rights tragedy of September 11 are treated with
dignity and equality. 

Thank you for considering my concerns. I look forward to hearing from you
about your efforts to ensure that all surviving victims of the September 11
attacks have equal access to the relief fund.


Sincerely,
Individual Comment
Cincinnati, OH


 
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Wednesday, December 05, 2001 7:39 AM
The "September 11 Victim Compensation Fund"

I am writing to urge you to write the regulations governing the
"September 11 Victim Compensation Fund" to ensure that compensation is
available to ALL surviving families, INCLUDING the committed partners
and non-biological children of gay and lesbian victims.  

Most Sincerely,

Individual Comment
St. Louis, MO 


 
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December 13, 2001


Special Master Kenneth R. Feinberg
September 11th Victim Compensation Fund
U.S. Department of Justice
950 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20530

To Mr. Feinberg:

I am writing to urge you to ensure fair treatment for all surviving families of the tragedy on September
11th, including the children and families of low-wage workers and gay and lesbian families.

Under traditional rules based on lost wages, the survivors of a bond trader earning millions of dollars per
year might receive thousands of times as much compensation as the survivors of a dishwasher in one of
the restaurants destroyed. Justice requires looking far beyond the last paycheck to the inherent worth of
all those killed, so that a high minimum compensation level is set to lessen the disparities. It would be a
double blow to the survivors to first lose their loved one and then watch as most of the taxpayer money
went to those who were already well off in the first place.

The second major issue has to do with recognizing the legitimacy of gay and lesbian relationships and 
families. Gay and lesbian families are especially vulnerable when one partner is killed. Because the
option of marriage is unavailable, these families may find themselves in the traumatic predicament of
having to prove that their union is legitimate. Fortunately, both the Red Cross and the State of New
York have already announced that they will not discriminate against gay and lesbian families. The
Department of Justice should do the same.

Thank you for considering my comments. I look forward to hearing how you will act on these very
important issues.

Sincerely,
Individual Comment
Willits, CA
 
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Wednesday, March 20, 2002 7:56 AM
Blatant discrimination of Gay Americans


Kenneth R. Feinberg
9/11 victim compensation fund
John Ashcroft
U S Department of IN-justice

cc President George W Bush
cc Senator Diane Feinstien
cc Senator Barbara Boxer
cc Congresswoman Lois Capps



SHAME ON YOU MR FEINBERG, AND SHAME TO MR ASHCROFT FOR SUPPORTING HIS DISCRIMINATION 
OF GAY AMERICANS.

Mr. Feinberg states:
"The goal in this final rule was simply to create the best and fairest program possible within the requirements
set by Congress."
He then contradicts himself by excluding ten percent of the population.

Congress passed this act to help ALL victims of the 9-11 attacks, not just the straight ones.
The congress has entrusted Mr. Feinberg as Special Master to determine eligibility and the amount of compensation
to be made. Feinberg has publicly indicated his unequivocal intent to make the Fund as accessible
as possible and has said that he will take special measures to protect vulnerable claimants, including unborn 
children and undocumented immigrants. In fact, he has stated that John Ashcroft will not deport these illegal 
immigrants nor charge any employer with illegal hiring practices in order to assist these non-American victims;
overlooking many federal and state laws. 

But when it comes to tax paying Americans who happen to be gay or lesbian, Mr. Feinberg decides to rely on individual
state laws to determine eligibility, claiming the law is the law. In doing this, he has created a huge lack of uniformity in
eligibility requirements, and an even greater lack of fairness and equality. It appears he took special measures to 
guarantee gay and lesbian victims won't be claimants at all. 

Early on, the Lambda Legal defense organization gave Mr. Feinberg numerous suggestions on handling gay domestic
partners, citing the New York courts as an example of how partnerships can be validated, and presented several
concerns about notification to reduce disputes and legal challenges. These suggestions were completely ignored.
In his defense of the "Rules" that he set, Mr. Feinberg lumps lifelong partners of gay and lesbian couples with non-
married straight couples and fiancées, and leaves it up to each state to decide who is eligible. What he overlooked is
unlike straight couples, gay and lesbians are not allowed to be married in any state. Most states recognize straight
couples who live together as common law marriages, but they have no classification for same sex couples.

This is not a State compensation fund, it is a Federal fund and therefore should not rely on individual state laws. 
As far as I know, there is no state law which prohibits a domestic partner from being a beneficiary. There just currently
isn't any law requiring this. There is no legitimate reason why the Federal government can't recognize the partners
of gay and lesbian victims.

Recognizing gay partners also effects the amount of the compensation that will be paid out.
Because gay couples can not marry, any deceased gay victim is automatically assumed to be single.
According to the compensation tables, a single person is valued significantly less than a married person because all
of his income goes to supporting himself instead of a spouse. These tables ignore gay couples who depend on their
partner's income just as much as straight married couples do. So even if a state does recognize a gay partner as
eligible, he will not receive the same amount of compensation as a married person would.
  

When Mr. Ashcroft was sworn into office, he promised to defend justice for ALL Americans. Where is he now?
How can he sanction such blatant discrimination?
It is obvious that Mr. Fienberg and Mr. Ashcroft are less interested in true fairness and equity, and more interested
with pandering to their right-wing friends and upholding their intolerance and bigotry toward gay people.



America justified to the rest of the world that we had to over throw the Taliban because they were dictating their religious
views and oppressing the rights of their citizens. What are the people of the world thinking now when they see such
hypocrisy as the American government dictates right wing religious beliefs and oppresses the rights of ten percent
of it's own citizens. America is supposed to be a positive example of freedom and equality. 

Show the world that "One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for ALL" isn't just a catchy slogan.

Change the "rules" and include ALL Americans.




Individual Comment
Nipomo, CA
 


 
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Monday, March 18, 2002 1:43 PM
Diservice to Americans/Gay or Not!


I too am an American.  I am a heterosexual American.  I cannot believe the government is honoring illegal aliens but not gay Americans! And that's what it comes down to.  Honoring them. They did not choose to loose their life partner on that fateful day, nor did they choose to die!  They, along with thousands of other Americans were chosen, placed on that list, anonymously, by Osama Bin Laden, and his crazy followers.  These people are Americans, they pay taxes, work every day, love their families and are loved by the American people.  To prevent them from recieving benefits because of their sexual preference is as unAmerican as Osama's beliefs.  WE cannot discriminate as an American people against anyone!  Regardless of race, religion, or sexual preference, for ANYreason!  If these people can prove a partner relationship, if they lived with and loved one of these people, then they are entitled to these benefits, just as any other American is! Give them what they deserve!





Individual Comment
Quinwood, WV
 
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December 14, 2001


Special Master Kenneth R. Feinberg
September 11th Victim Compensation Fund
U.S. Department of Justice
950 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20530

To Mr. Feinberg:

I am writing to urge you to ensure fair treatment for all surviving families of the tragedy on September
11th, including the children and families of low-wage workers and gay and lesbian families.  Under
traditional rules based on lost wages, the survivors of a bond trader earning millions of dollars per
year might receive thousands of times as much compensation as the survivors of a dishwasher in one of
the restaurants destroyed. Justice requires looking far beyond the last paycheck to the inherent worth of
all those killed, so that a high minimum compensation level is set to lessen the disparities. It would be a
double blow to the survivors to first lose their loved one and then watch as most of the taxpayer money
went to those who were already well off in the first place.

The second major issue has to do with recognizing the legitimacy of gay and lesbian relationships and 
families. Gay and lesbian families are especially vulnerable when one partner is killed. Because the
option of marriage is unavailable, these families may find themselves in the traumatic predicament of
having to prove that their union is legitimate. Fortunately, both the Red Cross and the State of New
York have already announced that they will not discriminate against gay and lesbian families. The
Department of Justice should do the same.

Thank you for considering my comments. I look forward to hearing how you will act on these very
important issues.

Sincerely,
     
Individual Comment 
Wayland, MA 


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              <elementText elementTextId="325862">
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Tuesday, December 04, 2001 6:59 PM
9-11 compensation act

Kenneth L. Zwick, Director
OMP, Civil Division
US Dept. of Justice

Dear Mr Zwick,
   I am writing to encourage the Dept. of Justice to create regulations which  make the "September 11 Victim Compensation Fund" applicable to all Americans, regardless of race, religion, sexual preference, or national origin.  If there is to be "compensation" to any who have suffered loss, there should be equal for all.  
      Thank you for your consideration in this matter.

Individual Comment
Hatfield, MA

 
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            <description>Whether the contributor holds copyright to this item.</description>
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              </elementText>
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            <description>The source of this item.</description>
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            <name>Media Type</name>
            <description>The media type of this item.</description>
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                <text>no</text>
              </elementText>
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              <text>
Monday, March 18, 2002 1:06 PM
benefits belong to the survivors - no matter what


Please DO NOT discriminate against the gay people OR ANYONE who lost their lives September 11th by denying the benefits to their surviving loved ones - No matter what sexual orientation someone is, they have a family and if one victim's family is going to receive benefits from the donations from ALL OF US, all families should receive them, traditional or not.  Thank you.



Individual Comment
Huntington Beach, CA
 
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              </elementText>
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              </elementText>
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              <text>
Tuesday, March 19, 2002 11:47 AM
fair treatment for surviving partners of LGB victims

Dear madam or sir:

I am writing to encourage your department in the strongest possible terms to
REQUIRE FAIR AND EQUAL TREATMENT FOR THE SURVIVING PARTNERS OF LESBIAN, GAY,
AND BISEXUAL VICTIMS OF THE 9/11 TRAGEDY.

How can the Department of Justice call itself by that name if the victim
compensation rules promote injustice by discriminating on the basis of
sexual orientation.  Is the grief of these surviving partners any less than
that of heterosexual spouses?

Please do all you can to ensure that the policies require fair and equal
treatment for ALL surviving partners.

Sincerely,

Individual Comment
San Francisco CA
 
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            <name>Title</name>
            <description>A name given to the resource</description>
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              </elementText>
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Sent: Wednesday, December 05, 2001 11:56 PM
Subject: GLBT victims families of Sept 11


Kenneth L. Zwick, Director
Office of Management Programs
Civil Division
U.S. Department of Justice
Main Building, Room 3140
950 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, D.C. 20530
Via Email victimcomp.comments@usdoj.gov
 

Dear Director Zwick:

I am writing to support the position of the National Gay and Lesbian Task
Force in their letter to you dated November 21, 2001 regarding
disbursement
of monies from the September 11 Fund.  I agree with the need for the
Department of Justice to Department to "include among relatives eligible
for
compensation those who lost their life partners or de facto parents or
children, regardless of sexual orientation and marital status."  


The horrific loss of loved ones to a random terrorist act should not be
compounded by our own government denying survivors whatever benefits may
be
available simply because we fail to have laws to protect all of our
citizens. 


Thank you for your attention to this matter. 


Very truly yours,
Individual Comment



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Wednesday, December 19, 2001 5:32 PM
Equality without discrimination


December  19, 2001

Dear Mr. Kenneth Zwick,

I write as a member of Amnesty International, a worldwide human rights
movement committed to ensuring respect for the basic human rights of people
without discrimination, in support of equal access to benefits under the
September 11 Victims Relief Fund for all victims, regardless of sexual
orientation or marital status. As you know, the United States has
committed to uphold international human rights standards, including the
Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on
Civil and Political Rights, which prohibit arbitrary discrimination.
  
As you consider rules for administering the relief fund, I ask that you
apply basic international human rights standards, and the general principle
of equality, by including 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.  The State of New
York has already adopted such a policy, 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."

Many lesbian and gay people were killed in the September 11th attacks.
Since then, lesbian and gay surviving partners of those killed have had
mixed results in obtaining equal treatment at the local level in the
distribution of relief funds by private and state agencies.  An inclusive
policy on the part of the federal government would help establish an
important principle for other such funds.  In compensating victims, real
justice will be served only when all families - and all types of families -
impacted by the human rights tragedy of September 11 are treated with
dignity and equality. 

Thank you for considering my concerns. I look forward to hearing from you
about your efforts to ensure that all surviving victims of the September 11
attacks have equal access to the relief fund.


Sincerely,

Individual Comment
Indianapolis, IN
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              <text>

Monday, March 11, 2002 3:45 PM
911 Fund Eligibility


I have just read the comments made by Mr. Feinberg on Meet the Press.  I am
appalled and sickened that in this day, and age and after all that has
happened, your organization plans on attacking Gay victims as bad as the
terrorists that flew the planes into the World Trade Center Towers and Osama
Bin Laden by not recognizing them as human beings.

The partners and children of the Gay victims lost a partner that helped
build a relationship in the face of hate and discrimination and now you have
the audacity to say that you are willing to say they lost NOTHING because of
the ignorance of the community they had to live in and educate.  You are
willing to ignore national law yet will NOT stand up for basic humanity
towards fellow Americans!

I am deeply ashamed of you and am angered that many Gay and Lesbian people
donated to your fund and worked for it only to be ripped off!!  

If you follow through on Mr. Feinberg's comments, I hope you never get
another penny in donations and are sued by every Gay and Lesbian partner and
family member of each Gay and Lesbian victim of the 9/11 tragedy! 

Please stand up and be decent, be Americans!

Individual Comment
 
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              </elementText>
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              </elementText>
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              <text>
Wednesday, December 19, 2001 6:17 AM
Equal Access to Benefits


December  19, 2001

Dear Mr. Kenneth Zwick,

I write as a member of Amnesty International, a worldwide human rights
movement committed to ensuring respect for the basic human rights of people
without discrimination, in support of equal access to benefits under the
September 11 Victims Relief Fund for all victims, regardless of sexual
orientation or marital status. As you know, the United States has
committed to uphold international human rights standards, including the
Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on
Civil and Political Rights, which prohibit arbitrary discrimination.
  
As you consider rules for administering the relief fund, I ask that you
apply basic international human rights standards, and the general principle
of equality, by including 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.  The State of New
York has already adopted such a policy, 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."

Many lesbian and gay people were killed in the September 11th attacks.
Since then, lesbian and gay surviving partners of those killed have had
mixed results in obtaining equal treatment at the local level in the
distribution of relief funds by private and state agencies.  An inclusive
policy on the part of the federal government would help establish an
important principle for other such funds.  In compensating victims, real
justice will be served only when all families - and all types of families -
impacted by the human rights tragedy of September 11 are treated with
dignity and equality. 

Thank you for considering my concerns. I look forward to hearing from you
about your efforts to ensure that all surviving victims of the September 11
attacks have equal access to the relief fund.


Sincerely,

Individual Comment
Detroit, MI 

 
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Wednesday, January 09, 2002 10:32 PM
Comments on Compensation Guidelines

Dear Mr. Feinberg:

The following comments are in response to the interim guidelines established for the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund of 2001:

On September 11, 2001, my 21 year-old son, &amp;nbsp&amp;nbsp&amp;nbsp&amp;nbsp &amp;nbsp&amp;nbsp&amp;nbsp&amp;nbsp was brutally murdered at the World Trade Center.  As a result, my life and the lives of my husband and other children will never be the same.  In our society, it is the right of individuals to be compensated for pain inflicted upon them by culpable parties.  In its effort to protect the airline industry, Congress essentially took away that right from me by limiting the amount of any award to insurance coverage. In return, Congress enacted legislation to compensate me for &amp;nbsp&amp;nbsp&amp;nbsp&amp;nbsp murder.  The interim guidelines, however, do not permit appropriate compensation.

While I agree that all families deserve the same amount of compensation for pain and suffering, the amount recommended is absolutely inappropriate and hurtful.  The amount of $250,000 minimizes the pain and suffering my son, and each of the other murdered victims, endured.  I urge you to increase the amount for pain and suffering to $2,000,000 per claim.  While no amount will fully compensate us for &amp;nbsp&amp;nbsp&amp;nbsp&amp;nbsp death, a significant award will acknowledge our degree of grief and loss.  

Additionally, although the interim guidelines provide for compensation to victims children, there is no mention of compensation to siblings.  My son lived at home with his parents and two sisters.  My daughters are devastated.  They are suffering as though they have lost a parent.  I urge you to acknowledge their pain by allowing additional compensation for siblings who lived in the same household with single victims.

Finally, I urge you to make the final guidelines clear and unambiguous.  Since the act of applying to the fund includes waiving ones right to pursue litigation, one must know absolutely the amount of compensation to expect in return.  The interim guidelines appear to indicate the claimants award may be determined by the claimants financial need. If this is the case, it is another travesty.  My level of financial security should have absolutely no bearing on compensation for my sons murder.

Thank you for providing this opportunity to comment on the interim guidelines.  Please consider the above recommendations in order to make this the compassionate, healing measure Congress intended.

Respectfully yours,
Individual Comment

 
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Saturday, December 15, 2001 2:55 PM
domestic partner compensation for 9/11 attacks

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

Please include those who lost their life partners as a result of the
terrorist attacks on 9/11/01 in the group eligible for relief
compensation. Those who lost life partners in addition to de facto
parents or children among relatives must be made eligible for
compensation without regard to sexual orientation or marital status.

I recommend that the U.S. Government follow the  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."

I am thoroughly disgusted that our government and George W. Bush states
that America is united when it shows no compassion or responsibility to
those domestic partners who loved ones died innocently. It's bad enough
to lose someone you love and then have to fight to get what you deserve
while trying to keep your house and finances since one breadwinner is
gone. Is discrimination American these days? How are these people
different?

Thank you.

Sincerely,

Individual Comment 
Prairie Village, Kansas  


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                <text>yes</text>
              </elementText>
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            <name>Source</name>
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            <description>The media type of this item.</description>
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              </elementText>
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            <name>Described by Author</name>
            <description>Whether the description of this item was submitted by the author.</description>
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              <elementText elementTextId="325970">
                <text>no</text>
              </elementText>
            </elementTextContainer>
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            <name>Date Entered</name>
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            <elementTextContainer>
              <elementText elementTextId="325971">
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              <name>Title</name>
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              <text>
Tuesday, December 18, 2001 10:31 PM
Grief happened to all


December  18, 2001

Dear Mr. Kenneth Zwick,

I write as a member of Amnesty International, a worldwide human rights
movement committed to ensuring respect for the basic human rights of people
without discrimination, in support of equal access to benefits under the
September 11 Victims Relief Fund for all victims, regardless of sexual
orientation or marital status. As you know, the United States has
committed to uphold international human rights standards, including the
Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on
Civil and Political Rights, which prohibit arbitrary discrimination.
  
As you consider rules for administering the relief fund, I ask that you
apply basic international human rights standards, and the general principle
of equality, by including 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.  The State of New
York has already adopted such a policy, 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."

Many lesbian and gay people were killed in the September 11th attacks.
Since then, lesbian and gay surviving partners of those killed have had
mixed results in obtaining equal treatment at the local level in the
distribution of relief funds by private and state agencies.  An inclusive
policy on the part of the federal government would help establish an
important principle for other such funds.  In compensating victims, real
justice will be served only when all families - and all types of families -
impacted by the human rights tragedy of September 11 are treated with
dignity and equality.

When I contributed to the September 11th fund, I did not realize that the
money was going to be awarded to certain victims and not to others.  If I
had known the United States wasn't going to treat people fairly, I would
have contributed to alternative funds. 

Thank you for considering my concerns. I look forward to hearing from you
about your efforts to ensure that all surviving victims of the September 11
attacks have equal access to the relief fund.


Sincerely,

Individual Comment
Suisun City, CA 

 
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        <name>911DA Item</name>
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              <elementText elementTextId="325975">
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              </elementText>
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                <text>full</text>
              </elementText>
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              <elementText elementTextId="325977">
                <text>yes</text>
              </elementText>
            </elementTextContainer>
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          <element elementId="55">
            <name>Copyright</name>
            <description>Whether the contributor holds copyright to this item.</description>
            <elementTextContainer>
              <elementText elementTextId="325978">
                <text>yes</text>
              </elementText>
            </elementTextContainer>
          </element>
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            <name>Source</name>
            <description>The source of this item.</description>
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                <text>born-digital</text>
              </elementText>
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              </elementText>
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                <text>no</text>
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              <text>


Tuesday, March 19, 2002 10:34 AM
Fund unfair to gay Americans

To Whom It May Concern:

By not including the gay loved ones of the World Trade Center attack victims 
in the Victims' Compensation Fund allocations, the U.S. government is 
perpetuating the prejudice and violations of basic human rights endured by 
gays and lesbians for too long.  

This plan dishonors not only heroes like &amp;nbsp and &amp;nbsp , but the scores of other gays and lesbians who, like their heterosexual 
counterparts on that fateful day, were simply going about their lives as 
hard-working Americans and died in an act of war.  Many had lived in 
committed relationships for years; some had children together.

Our government owes them the same acknowledgement and compensation that other 
Americans (and illegal aliens) who were victimized on September 11 are 
receiving.

Sincerely,




Individual Comment
New York, NY
 
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