dojA000832.xml

dojA000832.xml

born-digital

email

yes

no

2001-12-05

Wednesday, December 05, 2001 3:03 PM
September 11 Victim Compensation Fund

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

Mr. Zwick, I am an ordained minister and a lesbian. 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 asking the U.S. Government 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.

Many of those who died and those who were heroes were gay, lesbian,
bi-sexual or transgendered and it only fair and just that our government
should treat all of our families with dignity and respect and equality. Our
pain is no less. Our loss is no less. And our access to justice and
equality in the aftermath of this crisis must be no less.

Sincerely,

Individual Comment
Covina, CA

2001-12-05