Friday, February 8, 2013
Alan Bounville Gender Equality Walk Update
February 3, 2013 Washington, DC) Since May 31, 2011 Alan Bounville has walked from Seattle, Washington, pushing a cart of his belongings. On the cart are two rainbow-colored signs that read, “Full Equality NOW!” He’s walked every step of the way, zigzagging from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic Ocean, often over harsh terrain and in even harsher weather.
“Walking across the country in a straight line essentially twice is one thing. Walking as an out queer person pushing a cart emblazoned with rainbow signs while sharing the demand for full equality based on gender identity, gender expression, and sexual orientation is quite another,” says Bounville when talking about the walk as a whole. “People stop me all the time to ask what I’m doing and why I’m walking. Many people are supportive. Some are downright discriminatory. I keep walking because I know that the more I share my truth, the more I humanize to others my demand to be treated equally by my government and my neighbors. When people who don’t support my demand look me in the eye, they walk away from me changed. Something always seems to shift in unsupportive people after I tell them why I’m walking and that I’m gay or queer.”
While walking, Bounville has held numerous candlelight vigils remembering people who were murdered or who have taken their own lives due to discrimination based on the victim’s perceived or actual gender identity, gender expression, or sexual orientation. Bounville also talks at religious services about his mission, facilitates social movement and art as activism workshops, and performs a solo interview theatre-based play inspiring people to walk into their own light and true potential.
On Saturday, February 23 at 3 PM all are welcome to walk the final three miles of the 6,000-mile Into the Light Walk with cross-country equality walker, Alan Bounville. The walk will start at the Best Western Rosslyn/Iwo Jima, 1501 Arlington Blvd, Arlington, VA 22209. From there the group will walk across the Potomac River and arrive outside of the White House for a vigil and press conference. Participants can join the Facebook event page here:https://www.facebook.com/events/325883617526117/.
“For nearly two years I’ve been invited as an equal into hundreds of homes across this great land. The walk ends at the People’s House, where transgender, bisexual, queer, lesbian, two spirit, intersex, and gay Americans are still not welcome as equals. The time for full equality is now.”