dojN000651.xml

dojN000651.xml

born-digital

email

yes

no

2001-12-22

Saturday, December 22, 2001 8:18 AM
gay families

To: Kenneth L. Zwick
Director
Office of Management Programs
Civil Division
US Department of Justice

Dear Mr. Zwick,

I am writing about compensation for nontraditional families by the Victim
Compensation Fund. I am in a stable, substitute-family gay relationship
with my partner of 18 years. We own a house jointly, share a car, vote,
belong to a church, and take in wandering teenagers from both sides of the
family as needed, teaching them life skills and humane values. There is no
question in my mind that we are a stabilizing influence on society and
engaged citizens of America. When the thought occurred to me that,
ironically, because we are denied any kind of legal recognition by the
state, that we would also be denied benefits had either one of us been a
9/11 victim, I am forced to remember how much I rely on good luck rather
than thoughtful contemporary policy for the stability in my own life.
Please consider a more up-to-date definition of the relationships that hold
us together in your decision on victim compensation.

Sincerely,

Individual Comment
Boston, MA

2001-12-22