All Hands On Deck

''Lets not waste one more minute demanding anything; not one more minute disapproving of anyone; not a single second pouting that everyone doesn’t want to do it your preferred way. Even better ~ do it all, approve of it all, figure out a way to make everyone right. Pick your area, hold your line, stand and resist – irresistibly. Do what is in front of you and skip judging other forms of activism as those activists are doing exactly what they are called to do,'' wrote Zoe Nicholson on her blog.

Civil Rights Fast Ends

What are we going to do for LGBT civil rights ?

American Equality Bill - Online Debate

Some recent perspectives about Alan Bounville's fast for LGBT civil rights :

• Alan Bounville where are you? Will the people following your story hear news tomorrow re: Alan's hunger strike calling for Senator Gillibrand to put forth a bill for civil rights for all, national gay rights bill? by Suzannah B. Troy a straight woman who has been gay bashed on the streets of NYC

• Not So Fast, by Jude SafeSchools Stevens (may require FaceBook login)

• What Does It Mean to Demand Equality? by Thomas C. Waters

• The BIG and the small of it, by Zoe Nicholson

J'accuse

I accuse LGBT activists of complacency, apologism, and collaboration.

This morning, I woke to this on my Facebook wall :

The blogger Suzannah B. Troy had warned me that if I was going to express myself publicly, that I should expect to be criticised. That's only fair. But I want to respond to what I see as attempts by certain LGBT activists to ''control'' the discussion about LGBT civil rights. In particular, I am writing this open letter to Melanie Nathan, but it applies to other LGBT activists, who have bought into the idea of incrementalism that never seems to happen.

Dear Ms. Nathan :

On Nov. 2, Alan Bounville began a radical water-only fast in order to stage a protest over the fact that, after over one year since Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) stated that she supported extending civil rights to LGBT Americans, Sen. Gillibrand has since introduced no legislation that would accomplish that which she has said she supports. For 36 days prior to beginning his fast, Mr. Bounville and other LGBT activists, including Iana Di Bona, Joe Birdsong, and Lt. Dan Choi, to name a few, held vigil outside Sen. Gillibrand's New York campaign office. The purpose of the vigil (and now the fast) has been to hold Sen. Gillibrand accountable for her support ; if she supports extending civil rights to LGBT Americans as one way to end de jure and de facto discrimination against LGBT Americans, then what is the Honourable Senator doing to deliver on her support ?

During the year before the fast began, and particularly during the 36 days of the vigil, Sen. Gillibrand's office chose to issue no statement about how she was going to deliver on her support of LGBT civil rights. If she wants to play ignorant, today, now that it is Day 12 of the fast, then how do you account for the fact that Sen. Gillibrand had 36 days before the fast began for her staff to communicate to her about the American Equality Bill ? Futhermore, before Mr. Bounville began his fast, there were other activists, who said that Sen. Gillibrand would make a good ''target'' of an action, precisely because she was an ally. Reasonably, it shouldn't have taken too much advocacy to persuade a United States Senator to do something that she has stated that she already believes in. So, when you wrote, ''Leave her alone!!!!'', you also needed to address your criticism to other activists. Don't hold back, go find the others, too. Go on your witch hunt of LGBT activists, who don't want to wait for you or Sen. Gillibrand to get your acts together -- ''when the time comes,'' as you wrote, whenever that turns out to be, maybe someday ? -- before we see some legislation that makes good on Sen. Gillibrand's support for LGBT civil rights.

''THEY WILL NOT TALK TO HIM..''

What Mr. Bounville has done by having chosen to begin a fast, has been to create an urgency around LGBT civil rights. He has created a moral dilemma. You wrote that Sen. Gillibrand owes Mr. Bounville, ''[n]othing.....'' Yet, you hold every LGBT activist, who supports LGBT civil rights or the American Equality Bill, responsible for the moral dilemma of Mr. Bounville's fast, but you don't hold Sen. Gillibrand responsible. Instead, you wrote, ''Leave her alone!!!!'' Aren't we all responsible for the moral dilemma ? During the time that the vigil took place outside Sen. Gillibrand's office, Corey Jackson, 19, committed suicide. Who owns the moral dilemma of Mr. Jackson's suicide ? During the vigil, it was also reported that an Arkansas school official mocked the recent spree in LGBT teen suicides. Who owns the moral dilemma of that ? Also during the vigil, a Bronx gang carried out attacks against gay men. Who owns the moral dilemma of that ? This isn't all about Mr. Bounville.

The part that is unfair about Mr. Bounville's decision to begin a fast is, indeed, on the people who love and care about him. He is a radical political activist, and his choice of a political protest is undoubtedly radical. He believes in creating change now. It is uncomfortable to think that we have to work in a hurry to add ''sexual orientation'' or ''gender identity'' into the Civil Rights Act, but that is what Mr. Bounville created by chosing to go on a fast : he is forcing us to work in a hurry. He is responsible for beginning the fast. If you are feeling the effects of the moral dilemma he has created, remember that that was his intent. Meanwhile, if you are so worried now, where were you and others during the vigil, in the time before the fast began ? Were you amongst the activists, who chose to sit on the sidelines ?

''She will make her own better draft when the time comes.''

You wrote that the American Equality Bill ''would not be doing our civil rights justice.'' I'd like to know what you or Sen. Gillibrand believes would be better than the American Equality Bill ; show us the ''better'' answer. You wrote that, ''I know from inside her office.'' What do you know, and when did you know it ? If you say that you know what Sen. Gillibrand's position about the American Equality Bill is, why don't you write about it, so we can all know. If Sen. Gillibrand owes Mr. Bounville ''[n]othing,'' does that mean that Sen. Gillibrand owes me nothing, owes Mr. Jackson's family nothing, owes the victims of the Bronx gang attacks nothing, owes her voters nothing, owes LGBT Americans nothing ? In your eyes, why don't you let us know to whom is Sen. Gillibrand is accountable ?

When you wrote that the American Equality Bill ''does not even have grass root support yet,'' where do you need support to come from ? Arkansas ? Wyoming ? The Bronx ? From the Human Rights Campaign ? What Mr. Bounville has done by having begun a fast is by-pass every activist, ally, or hater, who is willing to wait it out, willing to pray that another online petition will be enough to make things better, willing to wait for after the election, willing to wait for the next Congress, willing to wait for the next President, willing to wait until the next change in the make-up of the Supreme Court. Mr. Bounville has exposed that there is an artificial social construct around the LGBT gay rights movement, namely, that a few select activists or organisations have complete ''control'' over the direction of the movement. He and other activists have caught you asleep at the wheel, and now you are angry.

''CRAZY CRAP''

Make no mistake, the moral dilemma created by the fast is real, and some notable activists do not support the fast. I sympathise with Mr. Bounville's family and friends. Nobody wants to see him get hurt. We all share their concern ; it is the only humane reaction anybody can have. The point of the vigil and the fast, as I see it, has been to see if Sen. Gillibrand shares their concern. My letter, some of my e-mails, and my call to Sen. Gillibrand's office haven't been returned or answered. You wrote, ''I know from inside her office.'' I repeat, what do you know ? What do others know ? What actions are you and Sen. Gillibrand's office taking, to prolong this unnecessary fast ?

LGBT Activist Calls Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand's Office

LGBT Civil Rights Activist Calls Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand's Office about American Equality Bill

At about 4 p.m. on Nov. 11, 2010, I placed a call to Sen. Gillibrand's New York office (1-212-688-6262). I left a voice mail, asking that the Honourable Senator please file the American Equality Bill. Just like Lady Gaga did in her famous ''Don't Ask, Don't Tell'' YouTube video, I invite everybody to call Sen. Gillibrand and videotape themselves, and then post their videos on YouTube.

David Mixner Blogs About Civil Rights Fast

''Alan Bounville Fasts For Inclusion of LGBT Community In Civil Rights Bill''

David Mixner, the famous gay rights activist and writer, published a post on his blog about Alan Bounville's fast for LGBT civil rights.

''The fast is to force Gillibrand and other members of the New York Congressional delegation to sponsor the American Equality Bill (AEB) which in essence would simply add the LGBT community to the 1964 Civil Rights Bill,'' wrote Mr. Mixner.

Civil Rights Fast - Day 9

YouTube video of Day 9 of Alan Bounville's fast for LGBT Civil Rights

Call Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand's office at : 1-212-688-6262. Ask her to file the American Equality Bill.

Iana Di Bona Calls Senator Gillibrand's Offices

Iana Di Bona records herself on camera as she calls Senator Gillibrand's office on Nov. 9, 2010

On Day 8 of Alan Bounville's fast for LGBT Civil Rights, Iana Di Bona calls Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand's offices in New York and Washington, D.C. Please record yourself placing your own call to Sen. Gillibrand's office's.

Call her at : 1-212-688-6262. Ask her to file the American Equality Bill. Then, post your video on YouTube.

Alan Bounville's Day 8 Fasting Video

Civil Rights Fast - Day 8

Call Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand's office at : 1-212-688-6262. Ask her to file the American Equality Bill.

LGBT Activists to Visit Sen. Gillibrand's Legislative Office

Alan Bounville, now in the second week of a Civil Rights Fast for LGBT rights, will visit Sen. Gillibrand's Office tomorrow.

In a news release issued last night, it was announced that Alan Bounville would return to Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand's legislative office in Midtown Manhattan. If you are in the area, please join us on Wed., Nov. 10, from 2 - 3 p.m., at 780 Third Avenue Avenue Suite 2601. New York, New York 10017.

Mr. Bounville began a fast for LGBT Civil Rights on Election Day, Nov. 2. For a period of 36 days before the fast even began, he and other LGBT activists were requesting that all LGBTQIA people to work locally with their own Senators and Representatives to lobby for the introduction of the American Equality Bill. The American Equality Bill is a landmark piece of draft legislation, which if filed and passed, would amend civil rights laws of the United States by adding ''sexual orientation'' and ''gender identity'' into the Civil Rights Act of 1964. According to the same news release, people in PA, CA, FL, OH are already on board with asking their local Congressional Representatives to introduce the American Equality Bill.

Civil Rights Fast - Day 7

Civil Rights Fast begins Second Week

Alan Bounville has lost 14 pounds in his first week of the fast for LGBT Civil Rights.

In this first week of his fast for LGBT Civil Rights, Alan Bounville has lost 14 pounds, according to a news release issued last night. "Under a doctor’s care, Alan is watchful and cautious with his energy. Iana Di Bona is managing their personal needs and assisting in the overall conservation of energy. A group of people are assisting in distributing information, posting videos and accompanying Alan and Iana to their events," read the statement issued by Zoe Nicholson.

Mr. Bounville began his fast on Election Day, Nov. 2. For a period of 36 days before the fast even began, he and other LGBT activists were requesting that all LGBTQIA people to work locally with their own Senators and Representatives to lobby for the introduction of the American Equality Bill. The American Equality Bill is a landmark piece of draft legislation, which if filed and passed, would amend civil rights laws of the United States by adding ''sexual orientation'' and ''gender identity'' into the Civil Rights Act of 1964. People in PA, CA, FL, OH are already on board with asking their local Congressional Representatives to introduce the American Equality Bill.

In the news release issued last night, Ms. Di Bona included a public statement : "In this second week of the Civil Rights Fast, we hope that more voices will continue to rise and demand equality."

Alan Bounville is Fasting for LGBT Civil Rights

Call Sen. Gillibrand : 1-212-688-6262

Ask Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand to file the American Equality Bill, or similar legislation that would add "sexual orientation" and "gender identity" to the Civl Rights Act of 1964. Call her office at : 1-212-688-6262 or do your own action !

A link to this new YouTube video has been added to the link list at the bottom of the Civil Rights page on The Huffington Post.

Civil Rights Fast - Day 6

Alan Bounville releases YouTube video about Day 6 of the Civil Rights Fast.

Alan Bounville calls Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand's Office

Alan Bounville calls Senator Gillibrand's office on Day 3 of Civil Rights Fast

Alan Bounville calls Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand's office on Day 3.

Demand that Sen. Gillibrand file the American Equality Bill or similar legislation that would add "sexual orientation" and "gender identity" to the Civl Rights Act of 1964. Call her office at: 212-688-6262 or do your own action!

Civil Rights Fast is reported about in NYTimes Blog

LGBT Civil Rights Protest Becomes Hunger Strike

News about Alan Bounville's fast for LGBT civil rights has been reported by The Local East Village blog of The New York Times.

A couple of weeks ago, we wrote about the work of QueerSOS, a gay rights group that was taking part in an ongoing vigil outside of Senator Gillibrand’s campaign office. At that time, activists Iana Di Bona and Alan Bounville had slept on the West 26th Street sidewalk for nearly four weeks, vowing to continue until the senator introduced the American Equality Bill to Congress, which would introduce the phrase “sexual orientation and gender identity” to the landmark Civil Rights Act of 1964.

After 36 days standing vigil, incurring arrests and disorderly conduct summons, but no response from the senator, the activists decided that something more had to be done to bring attention to their cause. On Election Day, QueerSOS morphed into a new incarnation: the Civil Rights Fast.

Senator Gillibrand has declined to comment on the protest.

Read the rest of Hannah Rubenstein's article : ''Rights Protest Becomes Hunger Strike.''

Alan Bounville is Fasting for LGBT Civil Rights

Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand Victory Party - Civil Rights Fast Flyer

Empty Words Make Sen. Gillibrand an Unwitting Ally of the Far Right

Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand - Election Day Victory Party - LGBT Civil Rights Fast Protest for Gay Rights

While Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand held a victory party inside the Sheraton Hotel and Towers in Midtown Manhattan, LGBT protesters gathered outside to ask the Honourable Senator to file the American Equality Bill.

Among the protesters was Alan Bounville, who began a water-only fast on the very day, November 2, 2010. Mr. Bounville has said that he would stop eating until Sen. Gillibrand would file the American Equality Bill or similar legislation, or make a public statement of her intention to file such a bill, which would add ''sexual orientation'' and ''gender identity'' to the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

Almost as soon as they arrived, police asked the Civil Rights Fast protesters to change locations on the sidewalk, and then, as captured on camera, undercover security interrogated the protesters, who were outside the Sheraton Hotel and Towers, with threats of arrest, if any protesters were found to be attending the victory party.

To help end the Civil Rights Fast, please call Sen. Gilibrand and ask her to file the American Equality Bill. Call : 1-212-688-6262. For more information, please visit : http://www.civilrightsfast.com. Meanwhile, inside the Sheraton, Sen. Gillibrand once again said she supported extending civil rights. When is she going to file the American Equality Bill ?

Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand Victory Speech (11/2/2010)

Civil Rights Fast - Day 3

Nov. 4, 2010, was Day 3 of the Civil Rights Fast.

Alan Bounville stopped eating on Tuesday, Nov. 2, 2010, and began a fast until Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand file the American Equality Bill or similar legislation that would add "sexual orientation" and "gender identity" to the 1964 Civl Rights Act. Call her office at: 212-688-6262 or do your own action!

Civil Rights Fast - Day 2

FULL FEDERAL CIVIL RIGHTS NOW !

Nov. 3, 2010 was Day 2 of the Civil Rights Fast. Alan Bounville stopped eating on Tuesday, Nov. 2, 2010, and he has said that he will not eat until Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand files the American Equality Bill or similar legislation that would add "sexual orientation" and "gender identity" to the 1964 Civl Rights Act. Call her office at: 212-688-6262 or do your own action!

Civil Rights Fast - Day 1

TOWLEROAD : WATCH : ACTIVIST ADDS HUNGER STRIKE TO CAMPAIGN DEMANDING GILLIBRAND FILE BILL TO ADD GAYS TO CIVIL RIGHTS ACT

The blogger Andy Towle has posted Alan Bounville's YouTube Video of Day 1 of the Civil Rights Fast.

Here is the video :

Here is information, which was included in the description of the video : ''Day 1 of the Civil Rights Fast. Demand: Senator Kirsten Gillibrand file the American Equality Bill or similar legislation that would add "sexual orientation" and "gender identity" to the 1964 Civl Rights Act. Call her office at: 212-688-6262 or do your own action !''

Gillibrand Election Victory Party Protest

Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand - Election Day Victory Party - LGBT Civil Rights Fast Protest for Gay Rights

While Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand held a victory party inside the Sheraton Hotel and Towers in Midtown Manhattan, LGBT protesters gathered outside to ask the Honourable Senator to file the American Equality Bill.

Among the protesters was Alan Bounville, who began a water-only fast on the very day, November 2, 2010. Mr. Bounville has said that he would stop eating until Sen. Gillibrand would file the American Equality Bill or similar legislation, or make a public statement of her intention to file such a bill, which would add ''sexual orientation'' and ''gender identity'' to the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

Almost as soon as the LGBT civil rights protesters arrived, police asked the Civil Rights Fast protesters to change locations on the sidewalk, and then, as captured on camera, undercover security interrogated the protesters, who were outside the Sheraton Hotel and Towers, with threats of arrest, if any protesters were found to be attending the victory party.

To help end the Civil Rights Fast, please call Sen. Gilibrand and ask her to file the American Equality Bill. Call : 1 (212) 688-6262. For more information, please visit : http://www.civilrightsfast.com.

LGBT Civil Rights Messages to Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand

CivilRightsFast.com Messages to Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand and LGBT Activists and Allies

Monday, November 1, 2010, was the day when activists, who had organised the QueerSOS! vigil outside Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand's campaign office, would transition into a fast for LGBT civil rights.

One activist, Alan Bounville, was set to begin a water-only fast beginning on Tuesday, November 2, and he has said that he would remain fasting until draft legislation known as the American Equality Bill would be filed by Sen. Gillibrand.

LGBT activists and allies are supporting the American Equality Bill, draft legislation, which, if passed, would add ''sexual orientation'' and ''gender identity'' to the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The American Equality Bill would, as one legal act, end major forms of discrimination against LGBT Americans.

Some of the LGBT activists, who were present for Day 36 of the QueerSOS! vigil, shared some thoughts about the need for civil rights for LGBT Americans, based on the de jure and de facto discrimination that takes place in America each day.

In October, the city council of South Bend, Indiana, voted down a proposed ordinance that would have extended employment discrimination protection to gays and lesbians. Recently, the Obama administration appealed a court ruling that outlawed the military policy of ''Don't Ask, Don't Tell.'' To LGBT Americans, the president's appeal looks like he is trying to keep in force a military policy that enforces discrimination against LGBT Americans who serve in the armed forces. Only a handful of states even recognise marriage between LGBT partners.

LGBT Civil Rights Fast Begins

QueerSOS! Day 36 - Alan Bounville's Gay Gights Message to Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand

After he had what was perhaps his last meal, LGBT civil rights activist Alan Bounville delivered a public message to Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, LGBT allies, and LGBT activists

In this video, Mr. Bounville urged activists to fight for equal rights, and Mr. Bounville questioned the practise by LGBT voters of calling some our elected officials our ''friends,'' when those officials, who are supposedly our ''friends,'' introduce no legislation that would propose to end most major forms of discimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity.

Approximately two hours after the recording of this video, Mr. Bounville was set to begin a water-only fast until Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) or another member of Congress introduced the American Equality Bill, or similar legislation, that would extend civil rights to LGBT Americans and thereby end most major forms of discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.