Believed to Be First Time Federal Government Recognizes a Gay Relationship
WASHINGTON, Jan. 24 /PRNewswire/ -- The Human Rights Campaign today
applauded the decision of the Justice Department to grant compensation from a
federal fund created for victims of the Sept. 11 attacks to Peggy Neff, who
lost her partner, Sheila Hein, in the attack on the Pentagon. Unlike victims
in New York, who were eligible for state-level survivor benefits, neither
Virginia nor federal law made any provision for non-married partners.
"This is the first time that we are aware of that the federal government
has specifically recognized that someone in a gay relationship should receive
compensation for the loss of a partner," said HRC Communications Director and
Senior Strategist David M. Smith. "This is a testament to fair-mindedness
prevailing over intolerance. This is also thanks in no small part to the
tireless efforts of Lambda Legal as they worked for months with Peg to make
this happen."
Neff and Hein had been partnered for more than 18 years and owned a home
together in Maryland. Both women wore gold bands to signify their commitment
to each other, and Hein was still wearing the ring Neff had given her when
rescue workers found her remains in the rubble at the Pentagon.
When Neff applied for assistance after the attacks from the state of
Virginia Criminal Injuries Compensation Fund, she received a letter rejecting
her claim and expressing condolences for the loss of her "friend."
"Without laws recognizing gay families, they are extremely vulnerable to
these types of tragedies. To receive emergency benefits in the immediate
aftermath of the attacks, Peg had to surmount obstacles, and, in at least one
case, rejection from the state of Virginia, which other families never had to
consider," said Smith. "While Peggy Neff's case is not precedent-setting, it
is our sincere hope that this is a sign that other gay families who have
suffered the loss of a loved one will be treated similarly."
In the aftermath of the Sept. 11 attacks, new light was shed on the gross
inequity that exists in America's family laws, as gay families -- who are not
allowed to marry -- were ineligible for survivor benefits and protections that
most Americans take for granted. A 1996 study by the federal General
Accounting Office found that there are more than 1,000 rights and obligations
associated with marriage or spousal status under the U.S. code that gay and
lesbian couples and families are denied because no U.S. state allows them to
marry.
"HRC is committed to addressing inequities that impact GLBT families,
including federal tax laws, hospital visitation rights, taxation of domestic
partner coverage, Social Security benefits, immigration rights, and employee
benefits such as COBRA, 401(k) and pension plans. We are working with
lawmakers at every level to build a more perfect equality where GLBT families
no longer slip through the cracks in the American legal system," said HRC
Political Director Winnie Stachelberg.
HRC provided assistance to Neff in securing emergency aid from the
American Red Cross and other agencies.
The Human Rights Campaign is the largest national lesbian and gay
political organization with members throughout the country. It effectively
lobbies Congress, provides campaign support and educates the public to ensure
that lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Americans can be open, honest and
safe at home, at work and in the community.
SOURCE Human Rights Campaign
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Related links:
http://www.hrc.org
CONTACT:
David M. Smith, +1-202-216-1547, Cell:
+1-202-251-1447; or Wayne Besen, +1-202-216-1580, Cell:
+1-202-256-4421, both of the Human Rights Campaign
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