The tragic events of 9-11 were a wakeup call for the world. We were forced to acknowledge our vulnerability; and we shared our pain. We mourned together for those lost; and we longed for the sense of security and unity that we once felt as a nation and a world. Despite our race, gender, sexual orientation, age, or socio-economic status, we all share the impact of 9-11.It is in this moment of unity that an opportunity exists to highlight the inequalities that gay Americans face daily, in our nation. Acclaimed and award winning filmmakers will tell the stories of the gay and lesbian Americans who were affected by this tragedy in their own words and their own actions:
- A gay priest in New York dies while giving last rites to the victims of the tragedy. The Pope accepts his firemen’s helmet and “fast tracks” him towards saint-hood, yet his church still officially condemns him.
- A male couple with a young son die when their plane crashes into the World Trade Center, yet in many states, it is illegal for them to marry or to adopt the child.
- A young gay man dies helping to thwart the hijacking of a plane bound for the White House, yet his partner remains with no right to inheritance, and no legal recourse.
- A young lesbian woman dies leaving a partner of 13 years and two children, yet they have no legal right to the woman’s remains or other benefits.
- Governor Pitaki (R-NY) extended state benefits to victims of the World Trade Center while Governor Jim Gilmore (R-VA) refuses to extend the benefits to the partner of a woman who perished at the Pentagon.
- The American Red Cross continues to turn away gay men who want to donate blood (unless they have not had sex in 24 years). Citing the need to protect the blood supply The Red Cross accepts blood donations from drug addicts and prostitutes.
- Immediately following 9-11, President Bush suspended all discharges from the military, including those resulting from the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy. Gay and lesbian Americans are good enough to fight in a war in time of crisis, but not in time of peace.
For the next three weeks, President Bush was remarkable. He was eloquent. He counseled that Islam and Muslims are not to be feared. He urged patience for those who were itching to bomb something. We now know that war strategies were at fever pitch behind the scenes and what has become known as Top Secret America was born. But for a moment, this public three week window gave a glimpse as to what kind of nation we could be.