Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand says that she supports extending civil rights to all LGBT Americans, and we have to make sure that Sen. Gillibrand makes good on her support by filing legislation, which would add "sexual orientation" and "gender identity" to the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Call : 1 (212) 688-6262.
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.
Seth Walsh Update : Departments of Justice and Education Reach Agreement with Tehachapi, Calif., Public Schools to Resolve Harassment Allegations
Press Release : JULY 1, 2011 - Contacts:
Education, (202) 401-1576, press@ed.gov
Justice, (202) 514-2007, TTY (866) 544-5309
Washington — The Departments of Justice and Education reached a settlement agreement with the Tehachapi Unified School District in Tehachapi, Calif., to resolve an investigation into the harassment of a middle school student based on his nonconformity with gender stereotypes. Title IV of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 each prohibit harassment based on sex, including harassment based on nonconformity with gender stereotypes and sexual harassment.
In September 2010, Jacobsen Middle School student Seth Walsh committed suicide at the age of 13. In October 2010, the Department of Education received a complaint alleging that Walsh had been the victim of severe and persistent peer-on-peer sex-based harassment while he was a student at Jacobsen. After receiving the complaint, the Department of Education initiated an extensive investigation into the circumstances leading to Walsh's death and, together with the Department of Justice, worked collaboratively with the school district to resolve the violations.
The investigation found that Walsh suffered sexual and gender-based harassment by his peers. The investigation also found that Walsh was targeted for harassment for more than two school years because of his nonconformity with gender stereotypes, including his predominantly female friendships and stereotypically feminine mannerisms, speech and clothing. The departments determined that the harassment, which included ongoing and escalating verbal, physical and sexual harassment by other students at school, was sufficiently severe, pervasive and persistent to interfere with his educational opportunities. Despite having notice of the harassment, the district did not adequately investigate or otherwise respond to it. Based on the evidence gathered in the investigation, the departments concluded that the school district violated Title IX and Title IV.
Under the terms of the resolution agreement, the district will take a variety of steps to prevent sexual and gender-based harassment at all of its schools, to respond appropriately to harassment that occurs and to eliminate the hostile environment resulting from harassment. The district has agreed to revise its policies and regulations related to sexual and gender-based harassment and to retain a consultant to provide mandatory trainings on sexual and gender-based harassment for all students, administrators, teachers, counselors and other staff who interact with students. In addition, the district will assess the presence of sexual and gender-based harassment in its schools through school climate surveys, adopt appropriate actions to address issues identified by those surveys and form an advisory committee of administrators, students and parents to advise the district on school climate issues related to sex-based harassment.
"All students have the right to go to school without fearing harassment on the basis of their sex, including because they do not conform to gender stereotypes. Seth's story and others like it sadly demonstrate that a school's failure to address and prevent harassment can have tragic consequences," said Thomas E. Perez, Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division. "We commend the school district for working with the departments to address this matter effectively and encourage other school districts to take affirmative steps to ensure that all students can go to school without facing discrimination and harassment."
"We know that if students aren't safe, then students aren't learning," said Assistant Secretary of Education for Civil Rights Russlynn Ali. "Bullying, sexual harassment and gender stereotyping—of any student, including LBGT students—have no place in our nation's schools. We must work to stop those abusive behaviors when they take place, repair their harmful effects, and prevent them from happening in the future. Today's announcement is an important step in that direction."
The enforcement of Title IV and Title IX are top priorities of the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division. Additional information about the Civil Rights Division is available on its website at www.justice.gov/crt. Enforcement of Title IX is also a top priority of Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights. Additional information about the Office for Civil Rights is available on its website at www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/index.html.
People with AIDS under attack. What do we do ? Act up, fight back !
Nine protesters were arrested during the morning of December 1 for blocking traffic outside Mayor Michael Bloomberg's World AIDS Day Bagel Breakfast at the Brooklyn Public Library, reported The New York Times.
World AIDS Day Bloomberg Bagel Boycott Protest from Housing Works on Vimeo.
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 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.
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, 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.
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.
Alan Bounville releases YouTube video about Day 6 of the Civil Rights Fast.
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.
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.
Sen. Gillibrand at a recent campaign event.
An anonymous LGBT ally sent us this photo today of a recent speaking event, at which Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand was photographed. Please send us spy reports to : americanequalitybill@gmail.com
Remember to call the Honourable Senator's office at 1-212-688-6262. Record yourself using a digital camera, and post your video on YouTube. Follow the style of Lady Gaga's famous Don't Ask, Don't Tell video. Then, e-mail us the link, so we can post it on Facebook and on our blog. americanequalitybill@gmail.com
End Homophobia and LGBT Dislocation Message to Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand - QueerSOS Vigil Day 33
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand is asked to do her part to end each of homophobia, de jure discrimination (which means discrimination that is legalised and written into law), the geographical dislocation of LGBT Americans. In rural and small towns, and in Red states, LGBT Americans feel unwanted, unwelcome, and unsafe.
Sen. Gillibrand, file the American Equality Bill today, so that all LGBT Americans can have the same civil rights. We all deserve to enjoy the amasing beauty of this country ; LGBT Americans shouldn't have to run away from beautiful states like Indiana or Kentucky.
If Sen. Gillibrand makes no public statement before November 2 (''Election Day'') about her plans to file the American Equality Bill, then Alan Bounville has said that he will begin a water-only fast, to pressure the Honourable Senator to file the American Equality Bill.
This video was made on Day 33 of the QueerSOS! vigil outside of Sen. Gillibrand's New York City campaign office. It was about 50° outside on a windy Friday night when this video was made.
A message from Lady Gaga to the Senate Sept 16 2010
''Our fight is a continuum of the ever present equal rights movement,'' said Lady Gaga in her YouTube video (at 1:40).
In this video, Lady Gaga calls her United Senator to ask him to end Don't Ask, Don't Tell. Just like her, you need to call Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand to file the American Equality Bill. The American Equality Bill would extend civil rights to everybody in the LGBT community.
Call Sen. Gillibrand. Ask her to introduce the American Equality Bill. The American Equality Bill will add sexual orientation and gender identity to the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
Call : 1-212-688-6262.
