A000246
Nov. 28, 2001
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
Dear Mr. Zwick:
This concerns DOJ rulemaking regarding the September 11th Victim Compensarion Fund
of 2001.
Integrity/Brooklyn is a social-justice ministry within the Episcopal Church, representing
gay and lesbian Episcopalians, their families and friends. We urge that life partners and de facto
parents or children of victims be eligible for September 11th Fund compensation, regardless of
sexual orientation or marital status, and that same-sex partners be eligible for all forms of
available compensation.
We support the September 11th Fund recommendations made by Lambda Legal Defense
and Education Fund, the Human Rights Campaign, the Empire State Pride Agenda, Gay and
Lesbian Advocates and Defenders, and the National Center for Lesbian Rights.
Like the above organizations, we are all too aware of the inequity faced by victims'
surviving same-sex and nonmarital life partners. We believe that these proposals for determining
eligibility are the best way to insure a fair, equitable and humane response to the tragedies of
Sept.11, 2001.
Thank you for requesting comments on this important issue.
Sincerely,
Comments by:
Integrity/Brooklyn
Brooklyn, NY