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On Day 4 of His Fast for LGBT Civil Rights,
Alan Bounville Visits Sen. Gillibrand’s Office
He and Other Activists are Turned Away !
Video is Available on CNN iReport
November 6, 2010 -- New York, NY – On Friday, November 5, at approximately 2 p.m., LGBT civil rights activist Alan Bounvillevisited Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand’s New York legislative office, but Mr. Bounville and other activists were turned away. Mr. Bounville travelled to Sen. Gillibrand’s office to ask the Honourable Senator to file the American Equality Bill.
Friday marked Day 4 of Mr. Bounville’s water-only fast, which he began on Election Day, November 2. On the trip to Sen. Gillibrand’s office, Mr. Bounville was accompanied by LGBT activists Iana DI Bona and Rich Murray.
The video of the visit, which includes attempts to reach Sen. Gillibrand’s office by telephone, is available on CNN iReport :http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-515989
Watch as building security at 780 Third Avenue first say that they cannot call the Honourable Senator’s office to announce the activists, next listen as Mr. Murray, who is off-screen and recording everything on camera, is transferred from one Senate office staff member to another, then listen to how building security become hostile, and finally how the activists are harassed even after they are outdoors. Eventually, the act of trying to see or speak with a member of Sen. Gillibrand's staff takes its toll on Mr. Bounville.
About the Civil Rights Fast :
The Civil Rights Fast is an escalation of the QueerSOS! vigil that began on September 27, 2010, outside Sen. Gillibrand’s New York campaign office. Activists, including Mr. Bounville, Ms. Di Bona, Joe Birdsong, and others, kept vigil for 36 consecutive days before Mr. Bounville began his fast. During all that time, the Honourable Senator has acknowledged neither the LGBT activists nor their demand that she file the American Equality Bill. For more information, please visit :http://www.civilrightsfast.com/
Recent News about Mr. Bounville’s Civil Rights Fast :
http://eastvillage.thelocal.nytimes.com/2010/11/05/rights-protest-becomes-hunger-strike/
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/james-m-russell/no-respect-the-civil-righ_b_777001.html
http://www.towleroad.com/2010/11/bounville.html
About the American Equality Bill :
The American Equality Bill would amend existing civil rights laws, including the Civil Rights Act of 1964, to include “sexual orientation” and “gender identity.” It would end de jure discrimination in vast areas of life, such as : employment, housing, credit, public places and facilities, and all programs operating with federal funding. It would also cover school discrimination and bullying, adoption, and all federal health programs.
About Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand :
As recently on Election Night, Sen. Gillibrand said, "We must protect civil rights for all Americans. That means full marriage equality, and men and women can serve in our military and not be dismissed for who they love." Watch this video at minute 2:37:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gzRTXt8Rwrc
Sen. Gillibrand has previously said that she supports the inclusion of sexual orientation into the 1964 Act. To view her 2009 statement on LGBT civil rights, watch this video at minute 7:43 : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hnZWFfwx4mg
And from the West Coast.....http://www.huffingtonpost.com/james-m-russell/richard-noble-on-equality_b_758321.html Richard Noble
