LGBTQ Activist Arrested Outside Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand's Campaign Office
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEOctober 16, 2010
Media Contact: Iana Di Bona: (718) 309-8598 iana.dibona@gmail.com
New York, NY – LGBTQ activist Alan Bounville was arrested on the evening of Friday, October 15 at Senator Kirsten Gillibrand's campaign office on 15 W 26 Street.
Bounville and fellow activist Iana Di Bona have been holding a vigil there since September 27. The vigil, entitled QueerSOS!, demands that Senator Gillibrand file an LGBTQ civil rights bill that would add sexual orientation and gender identity into the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
Bounville was arrested on the charge of erecting a structure in relation to two fabric banners used to communicate the vigil's message: "How long do LGBTQI people have to wait for civil rights?" and: "It's time to extend every basic right and freedom to every member of America's LGBT community," quoting the Senator's own words one year ago.
Di Bona and Bounville have sat vigil outside of Senator Gillibrand's office for 19 days, the most recent four of which have extended into 24 hour vigils. While this work is exhausting, Di Bona said, "Our sacrifice is nothing compared to 30 million LGBTQI people not having their rights. Being out here is an honor. We demand full equality now and wait out here only until the Senator files an LGBTQ civil rights bill."
Bounville is slated to be arraigned in the morning at 100 Centre Street.
For more information regarding the vigil, please visit www.queersos.com
