Three Queer SOS! Vigil Participants Receive “Disorderly Conduct” Summons
(New York, 10-26-10) At approximately 8 AM two police officers from New York’s precinct 13 drove up to the Queer SOS! Vigil outside New York Senator Kirsten Gillibrand’s campaign office at 15 W. 26th St in Manhattan. The officers questioned the three vigil participants who had been camped out overnight heading into the vigils’ 30th day. The vigil participants, Iana Di Bona, Joe Birdsong and Alan Bounville were all given a summons for Disorderly Conduct and must appear in criminal court on January 5, 2011. This follows Mr. Bounville’s previous arrest for holding a banner at the vigil site – an act the police called “erecting a structure.”
“What is disorderly is our government. Heterosexism is sanctioned under federal law,” says Joe Birdsong. “All we are doing is waiting here for our government to end discrimination against our people – LGBT people.”
The Queer SOS! Vigil’s request of Senator Gillibrand is simple. They have been waiting for her to file The American Equality Bill, which adds “sexual orientation and gender identity” to the 1964 Civil Rights Act. Several media reports have shown that Senator Gillibrand’s office is taking a stance of ignoring the peaceful protestors who have been outside her office now for a month.
“I don’t understand why the Senator and her office are ignoring the voice of the people, says Alan Bounville. “Senator Gillibrand supports the addition of sexual orientation and gender identity to the Civil Rights Act. How many more kids will jump off a bridge or get murdered for being LGBT before she turns her words in to action and files this bill?”
Next Tuesday, November 2nd some of the Queer SOS! Vigil participants will begin a water-only fast to again increase the pressure for Senator Gillibrand to file the American Equality Bill. And several other actions have started around the country in support of The American Equality Bill.
Queer SOS encourages people to do their own actions in support of full civil rights, or call Senator Gillibrand and demand she make a public statement immediately committing to file the American Equality Bill the day the Senate reconvenes. Senator Gillibrand’s New York legislative office phone number is: 212-688-6262.
Queer SOS! Vigil – www.queersos.com
“Queer SOS” on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube
The American Equality Bill – www.aebnow.com
Facebook – http://www.facebook.com/#!/group.php?gid=278882199073
