Press Release/Action Alert
For Immediate Release
November 30, 2001
Tampa Bay Coalition
Contact: R. Zeke Fread
Organizer & Coordinator
American Gay and Lesbian Partners of 9/11 Victims
Deserve Equality in Survivors Benefits.
The tragedy of 9/11 has shattered many lives.
With the hearts of the nation with the families of those
who lost a
loved ones. They shared their tear, prayers and donations running into the million of millions
of dollars. Of course money will not ever fill
the void such a loss has caused them all. However, it can
help those who also are facing a
great financial burden, brought on by this horrific
act of terrorism. It
seems only fair that who ever suffered a loss,
should share in the heartfelt donations that were made.
This is America, we have always helped others,
most times we are the first to respond and give the
most of all. We do this regardless of the
country where they may live, the color their skin may be, their
religious beliefs, gender, etc:. We do not
discriminate to those in dire need of aid or have suffered
a terrible tragedy. Many times we have
helped the very people who have turned against us. But, at the
time, we didn't even consider this, we saw need
and we tried our best to fill that need. If it came back
to haunt us, we
will deal with then, but, do not deprive those in need with what
if's.
Why I ask, do we treat the Gay and Lesbian
partners who have lost a loved one on 9/11 differently than
those from these other countries? Is the loss of
a loving partner of 5, 10, 15 or 18 years together, any
less a loss as the loss of a non-gay
partners or spouses? Is the pain and heartache of the person
you
loved being taken away in this horrendous
tragedy any less than each loved one taken?
All we heard was how all
Americans cared for all those lost and their loved ones. We will
take care of
the victims families and support them through
this terrible time. We didn't hear anyone say at the time,
oh yea, by the way we aren't speaking of the
gay and lesbian survivors. Yet, gay and lesbian Americans,
who are survivors of a loved murdered are not
included. The fact is, they are being denied the same aid
and benefits. A lesbian lover and partner of 18 years, has been turned down for
assistance by the United
Way, Salvation Army and the Virginia Criminal
Injuries Compensation Fund. She stands the chance of
losing the home she shared with her life partner
killed in the airliner that crashed into the Pentagon.
To date Attorney General Ashcroft
has not declared equality in survivors aid and
benefits to all survivors.
The government in more interested in catching
possible terrorists in the United States, finding bin Laden,
feeding and giving aid to people of another
country. They feel bin Laden is worth 25 million dollars, what
are the gay and lesbian survivors of his horrific
attack, this act of war on America, worth?
Never in the history of the world has so
many lives taken or families lives been so devastated. And never
has the discrimination of ones sexual
orientation, been so cruel and blatant. I, and I'm sure many others
both gay and non-gay, have never been as
ashamed to be an American, as I, we, are on this
day.
It is not a time to remain silent any longer, we
must not allow equality for all the American survivors of this
Godless act of hatred, be denied. If you have
never spoke out against injustice, never has it been more
important for you to do so, as it is today. No
one who has suffered such devastation in their lives, as those
whose loved ones died in this
terrorist attack. Should be made to suffer more pain and heartache,
solely
because they are "Gay or Lesbian
Americans". This isn't an issue of religious
belief, gay rights or of
one
being gay or non-gay. It is simply, fair
treatment of all Americans who have suffered a most grievous loss.
And, it is our responsibility as Americans, to
support and help them all equally with whatever recourses are
available for survivors,
period.
Additional Information Available:
Eye on GLBT News
Salvation Army Boycott Donation Protest
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