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.

President Obama Refuses To Sign An LGBT Anti-Discrimination Executive Order

President Barack Obama refuses to sign an Executive Order, which would bar federal contractors from discriminating based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

More and more, the LGBT community is seeing that President Obama is spineless, and few, if any, of the supposed LGBT allies in Congress will do anything to put pressure on the President to do the right thing. This, from HuffPost :

"A similar Executive Order preventing discrimination by federal contractors on the basis of race, gender and religion was signed by President Lyndon Johnson in 1965. The White House said instead it would try to rally support in Congress to pass the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA), though a vote on any gay rights measure is highly unlikely in the GOP-controlled House, and that it would urge the private sector to support non-discrimination.
"

Title VI LGBT Protections

This internal memorandum from the U.S. Department of Justice shows the "the huge scope of Title VI's protections and enforcement afforded 'race, color, and national origin' in a coordinated government effort to root out discrimination in America," as one activist put it. Why can't these same civil rights be afforded to LGBT Americans ?
2010-08-19 DOJ Civil Rights Act Title VI Enforcement - LGBT Civil Rights

West Hollywood LGBT Civil Rights Resolution

LGBT civil rights activist Richard Noble approached the City of West Hollywood for a resolution in support of amending the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to add "sexual orientation" and "gender identity" to the landmark federal law. In response, the City of West Hollywood adopted a resolution in support of such amendment.
2011-03-07 City West Hollywood Resolution Agenda (LGBT Civil Rights - American Equality Bill)

LGBT Activists Arrested Protests

Since 2009, 329 LGBT Americans and their allies have been arrested in protests in the United States for LGBT civil rights, marriage equality, and an end to all forms of de jure discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

In what can reasonably be described as a giant "wave" of political protests in connection with the LGBT liberation movement, several acts of civil disobedience and other forms of direct action have taken place since 2009 to end the U.S. government's and the American culture's oppression of LGBT Americans.

Following below, is a brief summary of known protests, which resulted in the political arrests of activists. Not only are LGBT activists fighting the de jure discrimination embedded within the laws of the United States, but, in cracking down on political dissidents, the United States can also be seen as further violating the human rights of these freedom fighters.

DATE *	DESCRIPTION OF PROTEST AND ARREST(S) **
May 26, 2009	211 arrested for shutting down freeway in SF over Prop 8 ruling. [A forthcoming link with follow to a link with a list of many names as publicly available of the people, who were arrested.]
February 12, 2010	Four people were arrested at the NYC marriage Bureau : Alan Bounville, Jake Goodman, Justin Elzie, and Gabriel Yuri Bollag.
March 18, 2010,	Lt. Dan Choi and Capt. Jim Pietrangelo were arrested after they chained themselves to the White House fence in a protest of the Military's controversial "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy (DADT) ; Robin McGehee was also arrested.
March 18, 2010	Ten arrested (4 in DC and 6 in SF) : [A forthcoming link with follow to a link with a list of many names as publicly available of the people, who were arrested.]
April 20, 2010	Six military activists were arrested at the White House fence during a subsequent protest against DADT : Those, who were arrested, were identified to be : Lt. Dan Choi, Capt. Jim Pietrangelo, Petty Officer Larry Whitt, Petty Officer Autumn Sandeen, Cadet Mara Boyd and Cpl. Evelyn Thomas.
April 26, 2010	Five arrested in Phoenix at McCain’s office over DADT. The names of the people, who were arrested, are : First Class Petty Officer Lonnie Allen Howard-Stidham, Meg Sneed, Jimmy Gruender, Luisa Valdez, and Lee Walters.
May 2, 2010	Six civilian activists were arrested at the White House fence during still yet another protest against DADT : Anne Tischer, Nora Camp, Alan Bounville, Natasha Dillon, Iana Di Bona, and Mark Reed.
May 20, 2010	13 arrested in Chicago at Durbin’s office over the draft congressional bill known as the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA). [A forthcoming link with follow to a link with a list of many names as publicly available of the people, who were arrested.]
May 26, 2010	Kip Williams arrested at Obama Fundraiser over DADT.
July 21, 2010	13 arrested in Las Vegas for shutting down the freeway over ENDA. [A forthcoming link with follow to a link with a list of many names as publicly available of the people, who were arrested.]
July 28, 2010	Eight people were arrested at the Rotunda because of their support of ENDA. The people, who were arrested in this act of civil disobedience, were identified to be : Orelia Busch of D.C.; Charles Butler of D.C.; Sean Carlson of Hyattsville, Md.; Shannon Cuttle of D.C.; Robert Diesu of D.C.; Erika Knepp of Edgewater, Md.; David McElhatton of San Francisco, Calif.; and Zack Rosen of D.C.
October 8, 2010	Alan Bounville and Iana Di Bona were arresting during a ''die-in'' at Grand Central Terminal in New York City; the protest was staged to bring attention to the lives that are being lost due to homophobia/transphobia/bullying against LGBT people
October 14, 2010,	Alan Bounville was arrested while he and Iana Di Bona were holding a vigil for LGBT civil rights outside Sen. Gillibrand's New York City campaign office.
November 15, 2010	13 activists were arrested, after they had handcuffed themselves to the White House fence in protest of DADT. [A forthcoming link with follow to a link with a list of many names as publicly available of the people, who were arrested.]
November 16 2010,	Audrey Smith was arrested after she refused to leave a sit-in that she and Tyson Daniels and Caryn Winters had organised at the office of Pennsylvania Congressman Chris Carney.
February 14, 2011	Six activists were arrested in Chicago during a Valentine's Day protest. The names of the people, who were arrested, are : Cassandra Avenatti, Lindsey Dietzler, Corrine Mina, Noa Francis Shayden, Judy Heithmar, and Danelle Wylder.
February 14, 2011	18 arrested in San Francisco following a marriage license protest. [A forthcoming link with follow to a link with a list of many names as publicly available of the people, who were arrested.]
March 1, 2011	Eight members of Queer Rising were arrested in New York City following a protest in support of marriage equality. The people, who were arrested, were identified to be : Kevin Beauchamp, blind gay activist; Nora Camp, queer activist; Natasha Dillon, lesbian activist; Frostie Flakes (aka Adam Siciliano), drag queen activist; Jake Goodman, queer activist; Honey LaBronx (aka Ben Strothmann), drag queen activist; Eugene Lovendusky, gay activist; Kitten Withuwip (aka Caldwell) drag queen activist.
March 9, 2011	Five people were arrested at House Speaker John Boehner’s office over the Speaker's plan to defend the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). The names of the people, who were arrested, are : Sean Watkins, Morgan Bonney, Jesse Bonney, Liz Mills, and Karay Miller.
April 4, 2011	Five LGBT activists were arrested following a series of coordinated political protests in New York City. The activists, who were arrested, were identified to be : Natasha Dillon (26, lesbian activist); Kevin Donohue (51, gay Jewish activist); Melissa Kleckner (31, straight ally); Ali Lozano (20, lesbian student activist); and Robert Moore (30, gay Mormon activist).
June 6, 2011	Three arrested in North Carolina over proposed constitutional amendment defining marriage between man/woman. Those, who were arrested, were identified to be : Angel Chandler, the North Carolina organizer for GetEqual; her partner, Nancy Counce ; and Jim Neal, an Asheville city councilman who ran for the U.S. Senate in 2008.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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 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 !''

Kirsten Gillibrand Union Square Flyer

Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand says that she is an ally of LGBT Americans. Really ?

On November 2, the Civil Rights Fast will begin.

This is an escalation of the QueerSOS vigil, which was started on September 27 by a group of New Yorkers, who have been standing/sitting/sleeping outside of New York Senator Kirsten Gillibrand's campaign office. The LGBT activists have been waiting for Sen. Gillibrand to file an LGBT civil rights bill, which adds "sexual orientation and gender identity" to the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

Gay Civil Rights Kirsten Gillibrand

Vigil for LGBT Civil Rights - Outside Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand

On October 18, 2010, Alan Bounville was celebrating his birthday by continuing a vigil for LGBT civil rights.

Call Sen. Kirsten 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.