California Assemblyman Lara To File Resolution Calling For LGBT American Bill of Rights

Assembly Member Lara to Urge President Obama, Congress to Pass Historic LGBTQ American Bill of Rights

Historic Resolution seeks to include “sexual orientation, gender identity” in landmark federal anti-discrimination laws

From a press release issued today :

On the week we celebrate American Independence, Assembly Member Ricardo Lara (D-Bell Gardens) will call on President Obama and Congress to institute an historic LGBTQ American Bill of Rights, which would extend federal laws to prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. The Joint Resolution will put the California State Legislature on record in support of updating all federal civil rights laws to include the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) population.

WHO : Assembly Member Ricardo Lara (D-Bell Gardens)

WHAT : Introduction of Joint Resolution urging the President and Congress to adopt an American Bill of Rights for LGBTQ people.

WHEN : Monday, July 2, 2012

CONTACT : JULIA JUAREZ (323) 839-2091

California Assemblyman Lara's resolution would call for an introduction of a bill, which Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand turned her back on, back in 2010.

Repeal HIV Discrimination Act

Queerty reported that, "ACT UP is joining local activist group Queerocracy to raise awareness about HIV transmission laws, which criminalize not disclosing one's HIV+ status before engaging in sex."

"The laws, in effect in 34 states and two U.S. territories, have been used to imprison people who used condoms, had undetectable viral loads and didn't actually transmit the virus—based solely on the allegation they didn't tell their partner they were positive," the Queerty report added.

Call to action : Call Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand : ask her to lead the charge to end HIV discrimination : (202)-224-4451.

Bill Clinton LGBT Robocall

Bill Clinton Opposes NC Amendment One

On this audio file, which will serve as a robocall for the Coalition to Protect All NC Families, Bill Clinton speaks out against NC Amendment One. He encourages North Carolina citizens to vote against the amendment on May 8.

Talk Is Cheap

On LGBT Civil Rights, New Leaders Emerge, But Not Where You Expect Them

Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) is always claiming that her "potential opponents" in the upcoming #2012 election are always at her heels, and she touts this message in all of her fundraising e-mails. This was her message on December 28, 2011 : "I wish I didn’t have to bother you during the holidays, but I’m up against a critical deadline. My potential opponents will be announcing their plans early next year. That means it’s critical that we show how strong we are and make these challengers think twice about entering the race. My campaign has set a goal of raising $120,000 before our December 31 FEC deadline. We must not fall short."

Meanwhile, she is always claiming that it is her progressive legislative agenda that makes her a target of her "potential opponents." Back on October 25, 2009, Sen. Gillibrand gave an interview at the LGBT Community Center in New York City. In that interview, she said that she would support amending the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to make it illegal to discriminate based on sexual orientation and gender identity (see 7:30 at : Interview with U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) - Towleroad.com), but Sen. Gillibrand has done nothing to fight for LGBT civil rights from this perspective.

Calling for a federal anti-discrimination law is not entirely new. In 1974, then Representatives Bella Abzug and Edward Koch introduced a bill entitled the Equality Act of 1974, which would have banned discrimination against lesbians, gay men, unmarried persons, and women in the realms of employment, housing, and public accommodation. The Equality Act was never passed upon its first introduction. In subsequent Congressional sessions, attempts were made to reïntroduce and pass LGBT civil rights bills. Even with new sponsorship, those bills did not pass. Almost 40 years later, a new grassroots movement is forming to make a renewed push for full federal equality for LGBT Americans.

And until the New York Congressional delegation finds the courage to do what was attempted almost 40 years ago, we have now a new crop of leaders in Brad Hoylman and Lois Rakoff, who are helping to build a grass-roots movement for full, federal LGBT equality.

2011-11-18 CB2 Manhattan LGBT Civil Rights Resolution

The Manhattan Community Board 2 Resolution is the first such resolution known to be passed by a New York governmental body. Earlier in this year, LGBT civil rights activist Richard Noble approached the City of West Hollywood for a resolution in support of a concept bill known as the American Equality Bill, which is being touted as an omnibus federal bill that would largely end federal discrimination based on "sexual orientation" and "gender identity." In response to Mr. Noble's efforts, the City of West Hollywood adopted a resolution in support of the American Equality Bill.

2011-03-07 City West Hollywood Resolution Agenda (LGBT Civil Rights - American Equality Bill)

And here is another proclamation, which Mr. Noble received from Mayor Jean Quan from Oakland :

Oakland Proclamation for LGBT Civil Rights (American Equality Bill)

Mr. Noble has generated more letters, resolutions, and proclamations in support of a federal omnibus bill to codify LGBT civil rights.

Once the larger LGBT equality movement discovers that it is possible to begin to set a vision for what full, federal LGBT equality looks like, more people will begin to add to the growing grassroots movement -- and will create a mass movement for an omnibus federal civil rights law. And nobody will be accepting of empty rhetoric, such as expressed by Sen. Gillibrand in this 2009 interview wherein she expressed support for LGBT civil rights. Note how Sen. Gillibrand has spent over two years doing nothing about filing a federal bill in Congress, even though almost 40 years ago Bella Abzug and Ed Koch had the courage to file a bill to end federal discrimination.

Meanwhile, President Barack Obama, who is still "evolving" on the issue of marriage equality, is setting a cowardly tone for our Democratic Party leaders, because President Obama doesn't want to be a public champion for full, federal LGBT equality, and, in essence, he is hiding in the closet, while his surrogates do the heavy lifting. Politicians, who lack the courage to display bold leadership like that was displayed by Bella Abzug and Ed Koch almost 40 years ago, are not doing the LGBT equality movement any favours.

Kirsten Gillibrand Product Endorsement

Has Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand become a paid political spokesperson for Verizon Wireless ? One of her recent e-mails bore the Verizon Wireless Blackberry footer. Is this an example of regulatory capture ?

Kristen Gillibrand - Verizon Blackberry Advertising

Dan Choi Rips Obama Flyer

OP-ED : What to Do When the President Is Just Not That Into You

Lt. Dan Choi rips up Obama campaign flyer at NetRoots Nation conference : "I won't vote for Obama if he doesn't endorse marriage equality."

Lt. Choi was discharged under the military's oppressive "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy, and he has since become a trailblazing LGBT civil rights activist. In the above YouTube video, Lt. Choi explains the dissatisfaction that the President's former progressive supporters now come to feel toward the President, as the President prepares for his reëlection campaign in 2012.

After an Obama campaign worker passed out campaign flyers to a panel at the NetRoots Nation conference, Lt. Choi was outraged when he learned that Obama's campaign is sending messages that do not support marriage equality. Said Lt. Choi to the Obama campaign representative : "... [D]on’t tell me that I’m a bad person, go tell [President Obama] that he should believe in my full equality -- and then report back."

Our so-called allies in Washington, like Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, don't want to fight for our full civil rights. That leaves people in the LGBT equality movement to fight for the runner-up cause, which is marriage equality. Marriage is a vehicle, which society uses to distribute rights. Until Sen. Gillibrand, or some of our other allies do something about our full civil rights, marriage equality is going to be what people are going to champion.

Marriage is a vehicle that society uses to distribute rights, privileges, property, services, public accommodations, and even respect. Until Congress adds sexual orientation and gender identity to the Civil Rights Act of 1964, marriage equality is a stepping stone towards full civil equality.

Watch as Dan Pfeiffer, the White House Communications Director, denies that President Obama ever supported marriage equality, and Mr. Pfeiffer said that then candidate Obama didn't ''fill out'' a 1996 questionnaire, which the President signed ; watch as how Mr. Pfeiffer says that President Obama opposes marriage equality, then take a look at the simple, one-page questionnaire that is signed by President Obama.

1996-02-15 Obama Marriage Equality Questionnaire

Marriage Equality Rally New York

Marriage Equality Rally at City Hall on June 14 :
It's a Civil Rights Issue

Join the growing number of voices, who are saying that Gov. Andrew Cuomo should pull out all the stops -- and get marriage equality passed through the state legislature.

LGBT New Yorkers, who have faith or who follow a different spiritual journey, should not be the targets of religious rhetoric. Yet, a group of extremist and right-wing religious organisations are holding a press conference on Tuesday, June 14 from 11:30 am - 12:30 pm on the steps of New York City Hall. These extremist groups are asking all believers in the Lord to join in a day of fasting and prayer to invoke ''divine intervention'' to prevent the passage of Marriage Equality in New York State.

Connecting Rainbows, an LGBT civil rights group, is inviting all community groups, activists, and allies to join us -- and to spread the word to others -- about a counter demonstration that supporters of Marriage Equality are holding at the same time and at the same place : on Tuesday, June 14 at 11:30 a.m. on the steps of New York City Hall ! Please RSVP to the Marriage Equality Rally Facebook Event.

Connecting Rainbows is asking for a similar and powerful coälition of Marriage Equality groups to show up -- and to send a message that these religious organisations should be protecting the sanctity of LGBTQ lives, too. We are each somebody, and we each deserve full equality.

Into the Light Walk Update

Alan Bounville reflects on the 2010 vigil and the subsequent fast for LGBT civil rights.

The day before he departed from New York City to begin his epic cross-country walk to end gender discrimination, LGBT civil rights activist Alan Bounville reflected on the Civil Rights Fast.

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 ?

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.