Documentary Focuses on Chaplin Mychal "Father Mike" Judge

A documentary produced by Irish gay activist, Brendan Fay on Father Mychal Judge has been accepted into the Irish Film Fleadh, a New York festival. "A Month's Mind" is a 45-minute documentary that covers Judge's September memorial service. It is a raw, compelling video celebrating the life of the heroic priest. It will be shown on March 24th."Mychal Judge had a heart as big as New York," said Fay. "His whole life journey was about living openly and honestly,"

Tampa Bay Coalition's Tribute to Father Mike & Our Other Brothers, Sisters and Friends Lost on September 11, 2001.

Mother of Gay September 11 Hero Speaks Out

Alice Hoglan has been silent on political issues for months. But, the six month anniversary of Sept 11th. terrorist attacks and her son's Mark's death, wants to be more visible and vocal.

Anti-gay Protesters Picket HBO, FDNY and NY Underground Film Festival

The Rev. Fred Phelps Sr, head hate monger, led a group of his hate mongerettes, to the Big Apple. To protest the HBO Movie, "The Laramie Project," Gay Underground Film Festival of NY and Fire Department of New York. Betty Phelps, said the FDNY is being targeted in part because it had a gay chaplain, Mychal Judge. "The fire department itself is filled with fags. They're priest was a fag," said Phelps. Seems Fred Phelp's nose is a bit out of joint, because his submission to the film festival, "Fred, The Movie," a documentary about Fred Phelps Sr., was rejected. Please Fred, your more ignorant than we imagined, if you thought anyone, with one working brain cell, would watch a movie about you.

Recent Sept 11 Articles Related to Gay's and Lesbian's.

*Congressman Disappointed Treatment 9/11 Surviving Partners.

*TBC's Op~Ed, "The Final 911 Insult", this was posted 365Gay.Com.

*Transcript of Interview the Special Master 9/11 Compensation Fund.

*Department of Justice Releases Final Compensation Announcement.

*The Sept 11 Fund Mediator, Putting a Dollar Sign on Death's Toll.

*Washington Blade interview Master 9/11 Compensation Fund.

*Partner 9/11 Victim, Overcome by Partner's Death, Takes Own Life .

NY Gov Wants 9/11 Same-Sex Survivors Guaranteed Benefits

January 25: The government's Sept 11th Victim Compensation Fund leaves surviving same-sex partners vulnerable to inadequate compensation. So says, New York's Gov. George Pataki and state Attorney General Eliot Spitzer, they filed a written objection, in a joint letter outlining their complaints to the fund administrator.

9/11 Gay Families Short-Changed, Many Cut Out

January 23: Many of the gay families of victims in the September 11 terrorist attacks on New York and Washington have been cut-out of the federal government's compensation plan. In a rare display of non-partisanship gay and lesbian Democrats and Republicans are calling on Fienberg to be more inclusive. Kenneth Feinberg, the fund's special master, says the awards are to cover lost wages, pain and suffering and would average $1.6 million. Gay families will have to jump through hoops to see any of it.

Sept 11 Especially Hurt Gay Community

January 22: Surviving partners must struggle without support of society, our laws and society doesn't recognize our relationships and our families. Survivors from the GLBT community do not qualify for funds from the federal government, some state and private agencies. Denied the access to funds that were designated for supporting the families that lost loved ones, they will be left to face hardship alone.

November & December 2001

Federal Victim Compensation to Accept Gay/Lesbian Surviving Partners Claims

December 20: Empire State Pride Agenda Press Release. Regulations governing the fund were issued today by Special Master Kenneth Feinberg in a press conference at the Department of Justice. They provide that same-sex partners will be eligible

claimants but leave many of the details on final disposition of such claims to the Special Master.

Related Articles December 20:

Same-Sex Partners Face Discrimination. & 9/11 Victims' Families Eligible for $500,000 Each.

Funds Merge to Help Sept 11 GLBT Families

December 14: The Empire Pride, EPNY, in New York and Human Rights Campaign, HRC, Washington, merged their funds they had established to assist GLBT families affected by 9-11 terrorist attacks. The combined fund has just over $150,000. (EPNY's fund had collected $ 141, 000 and HRCs newly created fund $14,000.). On December 13th. checks of $4,000. were presented to each of four surviving same-sex partners who had filed a request for financial assistance with the fund. NOTE:: The deadline to file for proceeds from the fund is January 13th. The surviving partners could receive between $4,000 and $6,000, depending on the number of people who file claims.

Homosexuals Seek Partner Death Benefits 9/11 Attacks

December 14: Transcript of CNN Daybreak News Report.

Fund Created to Help 9/11 Gay Families

December 5: The Human Rights Campaign responds to the plight of Gay and Lesbian survivors who lost partners in the September 11 attacks. You can now help the Peggy Neff's and other gay families who are in desperate need of financial assistance. HRC set up a special trust account to receive donations and money will go directly to gay and lesbian families.

Red Cross Issues Guidelines for Gay Survivors

December 5: The Red Cross issued official policy of fair treatment and appointed a liaison to oversee the quality and consistency of service to the gay and lesbian. The Red Cross is being praised for their treatment of gay and lesbian families suffering from the loss of a loved one on September 11.

Pressure to Include GLBT Families in Federal Compensation

December 5: The US Department of Justice is being urged by Gay Rights Groups across the country that gay and lesbian families be compensated by the September 11 Victim Compensation Fund. Conservative Christian groups have publicly stated gay and lesbians relationships should not be counted as families. Go to TBC Cyber Activist section for contact information to send messages of support for Gay and Lesbians in the Victim Compensation Fund

State Says No Survivor Benefits for 9/11 Terrorist Attack Victim's Partner

November 30: Sheila Hein was killed in Sept 11th terrorist attack on the Pentagon. Now her Partner of 18 years, Peggy Neff, may lose the home they shared. Administrators of the Virginia Criminal Injuries Compensation Fund refused to accept the couple were anything more than "friends". On Oct 19, Peggy receives a letter from the state saying, "Please accept our condolences on the loss of your "friend", Sheila M.S. Hein''. Then comes the devastating, BUT, ``We regret to inform you that you are not eligible for benefits under the state of Virginia's Victims of Crime Act.'' Sheila's Brief Bio, posted on TBC's Tribute & Memorial To "Our Brothers, Sisters & Friends Lost", Section .

TBC Press Release, "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.

Ashcroft Advised on "Survivors" Definition

Nov 19: Congressman Barney Frank, D-Mass., and a bipartisan group of 44 other U.S. representatives sent a letter urging the Attorney General John Ashcroft to broadly interpret "survivor" eligibility when disbursing Congress-approved relief funds associated with the Sept. 11 attacks.

Nov 23: Update: Frank Calls for Equal Treatment on Federal Remedies for Terrorism Victims.

Nov 23: Update: Letter: Include 'Relationship' Compensation for September 11 Surviving Partners.

Nov 27: Update; Gay Dems & Republicans Unite To Support GLBT Families of Terror Victims

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