National Media Contact
Alan Bounville – 917-903-5870, info@intothelightwalk.com
Press Coverage
http://www.dailytarheel.com/article/2013/01/lighting-the-path
http://www.bilerico.com/2013/01/an_interview_with_alan_bounville_from_the_into_the.php#more
http://idahoagenda.net/2013/01/18/from-seattle-to-d-c-alan-bounville-nears-end-of-equality-walk/
http://www.outinjersey.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1936:lgbt-activist-walks-6000-miles-for-equality
http://www.thetimesnews.com/news/top-news/man-on-a-mission-a-walk-of-6-000-miles-to-end-sexual-orientation-discrimination-1.85745
http://mountaineagle.com/view/full_story/20664114/article-When-Alan-Bounville-left-Seattle-in-May-2011?instance=homefirstleft
http://www.wtoc.com/category/240221/video?clipId=7753290&autostart=true
http://www.lamaruniversitypress.com/into-the-light-walk-passes-through-beaumont-1.2835845#.UF9cMrJ2Nls
http://outsmartmagazine.com/2012/04/alan-bounville-is-a-man-moving-forward-and-he-wants-us-to-come-with-him/
http://outwestlubbock.com/2011/12/28/travelin-thru-one-mans-journey-for-equality-leads-to-slaton/
http://idahoagenda.com/2011/11/21/alan-bounville-a-tdor-vigil-from-inside-a-shed-in-hasty-colorado/
http://idahoagenda.com/tag/walking-across-america/
http://www.outviewonline.com/2011/11/into-light-walk-he-walks-for-you.html
http://idahoagenda.com/2011/10/25/years-later-a-vist-to-laramie-wyoming/
http://www.laramieboomerang.com/articles/2011/10/22/news/doc4ea24d7b00841269516407.txt
http://qsaltlake.com/2011/08/30/activist-walking-across-the-country-to-stop-in-salt-lake-city/
http://blogout.justout.com/?page_id=36107
http://olyblog.net/photo-and-short-video-pride
http://where-is-kirsten.blogspot.com/2011/06/vigil-joseph-michael-harris.html
http://where-is-kirsten.blogspot.com/2011/06/simon-malls-lgbt-discrimination.html
http://lahronline.org/Newsletter/2011/Apr11_LAHR.pdf
http://ng1260.blogspot.com/2011/06/walking-across-america-for-equality_09.html
http://www.onlinewithzoe.com/2011/06/walkers-honor-us.html
http://www.thenewstribune.com/2011/06/08/v-printerfriendly/1697115/seattle-walker-to-call-attention.html
http://www.outviewonline.com/2011/06/into-light-bounville-meets-nikki-lee.html?spref=fb
http://www.outviewonline.com/2011/05/into-light-begins-now-6000-mile-walk-to.html
http://www.outviewonline.com/2011/05/new-series-into-light-walk-step-one.html
http://www.outinjersey.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1114:walking-into-the-light http://www.bilerico.com/2011/05/into_the_light_a_6000_mile_walk_to_end_gender_disc.php http://thomascwaters.com/2011/02/17/alan-bounville-activistis/
Press Releases
Please help me distribute the press release immediately below (titled “6,000-MILE CROSS COUNTRY WALK FOR TBLG EQUALITY ENDS AT WHITE HOUSE”) to national, LGBTQ, and local (especially in communities where I’ve walked) media outlets. Thank you! – Alan L. Bounville
6,000-MILE CROSS COUNTRY WALK FOR
TBLG EQUALITY ENDS AT WHITE HOUSE
Into the Light Walk – A walk for gender identity, gender expression, and sexual orientation equality
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact: Alan L Bounville, 917-903-5870, info@intothelightwalk.com
Press Photos (Below): Map_Into the Light Walk, Highest Point of Into the Light Walk.JPG
(January 17, 2013 Washington, DC) Since May 31, 2011 Alan Bounville has walked from Seattle, Washington, pushing a cart of his belongings. On the cart are two rainbow-colored signs that read, “Full Equality NOW!” He’s walked every step of the way, zigzagging from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic Ocean, often over harsh terrain and in even harsher weather.
“Walking across the country in a straight line essentially twice is one thing. Walking as an out queer person pushing a cart emblazoned with rainbow signs while sharing the demand for full equality based on gender identity, gender expression, and sexual orientation is quite another,” says Bounville when talking about the walk as a whole. “People stop me all the time to ask what I’m doing and why I’m walking. Many people are supportive. Some are downright discriminatory. I keep walking because I know that the more I share my truth, the more I humanize to others my demand to be treated equally by my government and my neighbors. When people who don’t support my demand look me in the eye, they walk away from me changed. Something always seems to shift in unsupportive people after I tell them why I’m walking and that I’m gay or queer.”
While walking, Bounville has held numerous candlelight vigils remembering people who were murdered or who have taken their own lives due to discrimination based on the victim’s perceived or actual gender identity, gender expression, or sexual orientation. Bounville also talks at religious services about his mission, facilitates social movement and art as activism workshops, and performs a solo interview theatre-based play inspiring people to walk into their own light and true potential.
On Saturday, February 23 at 3 PM all are welcome to walk the final three miles of the 6,000-mile Into the Light Walk with cross-country equality walker, Alan Bounville. The walk will start at the Best Western Rosslyn/Iwo Jima, 1501 Arlington Blvd, Arlington, VA 22209. From there the group will walk across the Potomac River and arrive outside of the White House for a vigil and press conference. Participants can join the Facebook event page here: https://www.facebook.com/events/325883617526117/.
“For nearly two years I’ve been invited as an equal into hundreds of homes across this great land. The walk ends at the People’s House, where transgender, bisexual, queer, lesbian, two spirit, intersex, and gay Americans are still not welcome as equals. The time for full equality is now.”
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Into the Light – On May 31, 2011 a walk began. Embarking on a journey from the Pacific Northwest of the United States, walking 6,000 miles to Washington, DC, the walk embodies one simple goal – an end to gender and sexual orientation discrimination. To accomplish this, walker Alan Bounville is encouraging people he meets along the journey to fight for full federal and social equality – nothing less.
10% of every dollar raised through the Into the Light Walk goes to the Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund, an organization whose mission is aligned with the purpose of this walk. As of the date of the release, $1,700 has been donated to this organization.
Press Photos:
Map_Into the Light Walk
Highest Point of Into the Light Walk.JPG
intothelightwalk.com
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INTO THE LIGHT WALK REACHES THE ATLANTIC OCEAN
6,000 mile walk for gender and sexual orientation equality from Seattle to Washington DC
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact: CeCe Finley Garrett, 228-229-0884, info@intothelightwalk.com
Press Video Link: http://youtu.be/Odx5_yVj2t8
Press Photo: 100_3380 – From the highest point of the walk, Loveland Pass, 11,900′ above sea level
(August 15, 2012 Orlando, FL) On Saturday, August 18 at 6 PM all are welcome to walk into the Atlantic Ocean with cross-country equality walker Alan Bounville. This is a major milestone for this 6,000-mile walk from Seattle to Washington DC. On this day, 4,000 miles into the journey, the walk will have completed traversing the continent from the Pacific Ocean in the Pacific Northwest to the Atlantic Ocean in the Southeast. Bounville has walked every step across the continent as an out, gay man with rainbow-colored “FULL EQUALITY NOW!” signs attached to a walking cart. While walking, Bounville has shared with countless people the demand for full equality based on one’s perceived or actual gender identity, gender expression or sexual orientation.
Those who want to walk the final mile to the ocean with Bounville will meet on Saturday at 6 PM at the Sunset Waterfront Grill & Bar, 500 West Cocoa Beach Causeway, Cocoa Beach, FL 32931. There is plenty of street parking in the area.
Facebook Event: https://www.facebook.com/events/401835876544474/
From Sunset Waterfront Grill & Bar the attendees and Bounville will walk approximately one mile to the Atlantic Ocean. On the beach, the group will release biodegradable paper lanterns over the ocean*. On the paper lanterns will be the names of victims of hate crimes based on their perceived or actual gender identity, gender expression, or sexual orientation.
The lanterns will be released as the sun is setting, which is close to 8 PM. After everyone is assembled at 6 PM, the walk to the ocean will commence. Once at the ocean the lanterns will be prepared while the group communes on the beach. After the lanterns are released, there will be a moment of silence and an opportunity for attendees to share their thoughts and feelings.
*The lanterns will be attached to strings so they will not be released into the wild, but rather brought back down after the moment of silence to be disposed of properly.
——————————————————————————————————————————–
Into the Light – In May 2011 a walk began. Embarking on a journey from the Pacific Northwest of the United States, walking 6,000 miles to Washington DC, the walk embodies one simple goal – an end to gender and sexual orientation discrimination. To accomplish this, walker Alan Bounville is encouraging people he meets along the journey to fight for full federal and social equality – nothing less.
During the walk, there are numerous candlelight vigils held for people who have been murdered or have taken their own lives due to gender identity, gender expression, or sexual orientation discrimination. Walker Alan Bounville is also providing gender expression/identity, social movement, civil disobedience and theatre of the oppressed workshops as well as performing solo plays inspiring people to walk into their own light and true potential.
Into the Light walk is asks for donations that will cover basic expenses. In addition, 10% of every dollar raised goes directly to the Transgender Legal Defense and Education Fund, an organization whose mission is aligned with the purpose of this walk.
intothelightwalk.com
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INTO THE LIGHT WALK CROSSES THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS
6,000 mile walk for gender and sexual orientation equality from Seattle to Washington DC
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact: Iana Di Bona, info@intothelightwalk.com, 718-309-8598
(October 31, 2011, Castle Rock, CO) Today marks five months that an openly gay man, Alan L. Bounville, has been walking across the United States of America with one demand, an end to gender discrimination in all its forms. In the USA we are required to declare a gender and that it ‘match’ archaic beliefs about maleness and femaleness. Further, our existing social and governmental structures expect that our declared gender align with the roles hegemonic forces believe we should embody in society. Because of this rigid binary, inequalities abound in employment, health care, voting rights, marriage, social services, religious practices, parenthood, public restrooms, housing and social respect. And worst of all, gender related discrimination leads to murder and suicide.
Bounville started walking in Seattle, Washington with his gear packed in plastic tubs that are placed on a modified baby stroller. From Seattle, he walked out to the Pacific Ocean on his way to Portland, Oregon. From there, Bounville walked across Oregon, southern Idaho, Utah and the Rocky Mountains in Colorado. Currently he is in Castle Rock, Colorado, which is south of Denver, as he makes his way south for the winter months. People at times drive him to work with communities off of his walk route, but he is always returned from where he was picked up, so that he walks every step across the continent, making his was east at an average of 20-30 miles per day. Next summer or fall, the 6,000 mile walk will culminate in the nation’s capital.
“It has been an extreme physical, mental and emotional challenge walking almost 2,000 miles so far. Physically, I am usually exhausted at the end of each walking day. Some days, it has been over 100 degrees F. Some nights it has has been well below freezing, to the point my water freezes inside my tent. The mental challenges vary from trying to put out of my mind what could be lurking in the shadows, as I camp on the side of the road many nights, to the extreme boredom that can set in when walking in desolate areas between towns and cities. Emotionally, it is difficult to continue holding vigils at the places where people have been murdered due to gender or sexual orientation hate. It is also hard to keep looking parents in the eye who have lost their children due to this kind of hate,” says Bounville about the pilgrimage.
While walking, Bounville has held himself or helped organize numerous vigils in the places where people have been murdered or committed suicide because of gender or sexual orientation hate. The walk’s website, www.intothelightwalk.com, and YouTube Channel, www.youtube.com/intolightwalk, show videos and photos of many of these vigils. He has performed his one-person play, When People Lead, in Boise, Twin Falls and Pocatello, Idaho. And he has facilitated civil disobedience and social movement workshops in Salt Lake City, UT and Laramie, WY.
“When I asked myself, what is the most cost-effective way to open up conversations about gender, gender identity, gender expression and sexual orientation and to train and inspire people to become more active in these movements, I realized – walking was the answer. I remember about a month into the walk I realized, I’m walking what is equivalent to a marathon on many days. Had I realized I would be walking up to or beyond a marathon a day, I never would have taken the first step! But for those who don’t have large salaries or ties to a political or party agenda, but who have the deep desire to make things better, walking is a great bang for the buck,” says Bounville.
The donations Bounville does collect through the walk’s website and in person keep his basic needs cared for. And to pay it forward, 10% of every dollar raised goes to the Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund, an organization that represents folks who are transgender in legal proceedings and educates the public about trans rights. So far, Bounville has donated $473.23 to this organization. Tax-deductible donations (to the extent permitted by law) can be made to the Into the Light Walk here: https://www.fracturedatlas.org/site/contribute/donate/4143.
People also give to the walk and Bounville’s efforts in many other ways. They provide a meal, a place to stay, new gear, like shoes, winter clothing and medical supplies. “It amazes me to see how creative people get with the way they can give. I have a friend who bakes and ships me cookies. There are people who will give me a piece of fruit on the side of the road. People pray for me. People cut my hair. And the more I walk, the more I gain close friends, people who will be in my heart for the rest of my life,” says Bounville.
There have been a handful of people who have taken time out of their lives to walk varying distances with Bounville. All walkers believed in the vision of the walk, to end gender discrimination in all its forms. And all walkers have inspiring stories that led them to join a walk like this. Duane Quintana of Boise, Idaho wanted to walk to his hometown of Wendell, Idaho, where he ran from before, as he puts it, “I got gay and got AIDS.” Duane walked a week in the extreme Idaho desert heat. Tina Hayden-Chavez, a mother of four from Pocatello Idaho, wanted to challenge herself, walking 31 sweltering miles, before she had to make important changes in her life. Christopher Cooke, also of Pocatello, Idaho, walked for over a week in the 90-100 degree weather from Idaho to Utah. Christopher has Fabry’s Disease, which can cause extreme body pain. He wanted to defy his doctor’s orders about being involved in strenuous activities. Ed Colman, a father of four from Orem, UT walked two days. In 2009, Ed had gastric bypass surgery. Since his surgery, Ed has been very active, competing in half-marathons and other athletic events. Through his passion and dedication, Ed went from weighing 354 pounds to his current weight of 180 pounds.
From Colorado, the Into the Light Walk will pass through the panhandle of Oklahoma, then through Texas to Austin, where Bounville will rest for about a month before zigzagging through the southern states to Florida and then up the east coast to Tennessee, Pennsylvania and finally, into Washington DC. To follow the progress of the walk, go to www.intothelightwalk.com or www.facebook.com/intolightwalk.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
National Media Contact: Alan Bounville, 917-903-5870, info@intothelightwalk.com
Into the Light Begins: A 6,000-Mile Walk to End Gender and LGBTQ Discrimination
(May 31, 2011) Today, Alan L. Bounville will embark upon a journey from Seattle, Washington, walking 6,000 miles to Washington DC. While he walks, Bounville will be highlighting the need for equality based on gender, gender identity, gender expression and sexual orientation. The walk will begin in the Capitol Hill area where a brief candle light vigil will mark the beginning of the walk.
In the United States of America we are required to declare a gender and that it ‘match’ archaic beliefs about maleness and femaleness. Our existing social and governmental structure expects that our declared gender align with the roles hegemonic forces believe we should embody in that gender. Because of this rigid binary, inequalities abound in employment, health care, voting rights, marriage, social services, religious practices, parenthood, public restrooms, housing and social respect. And worst of all, gender related discrimination leads to murder and suicide.
“A person’s gender identity and gender expression should be decided not by predetermined expectations, but by each of us as individuals. Until that is the accepted norm, we will continue to live in an imbalanced world where people who are transgender are beaten, murdered and refused jobs, where women are paid less than men for the same amount of work, where men aggress against each other, where lesbian, gay, bisexual and all people are judged not on the quality of who they are as people, but on how ‘masculine’ or ‘feminine’ they are perceived to be – and that’s just the beginning,” says Bounville.
Along the trek, the Into the Light walk will coordinate with people and organizations to hold numerous candlelight vigils at the specific places where people have been murdered or have taken their own lives due to gender expression/identity discrimination. During this 9-18 month journey, Bounville will also offer free gender expression/identity, social movement and civil disobedience workshops. And he will perform plays that inspire people to walk into their own light and true potential.
An overarching goal of the Into the Light walk is to grow social movements that are working towards full social and legislative equality. “It is vital that people have the proper tools to recognize injustice and create their own actions that demand the changes they seek,” says Bounville.
In addition, the walk is donating 10% of every dollar raised to the Transgender Legal Defense and Education Fund (www.transgenderlegal.org), an organization whose mission is in line with that of this walk – to end gender discrimination. Tax-deductible donations can be made to the Into the Light Walk at www.intothelightwalk.com.
“Together we will remember those we’ve lost as we walk into the light of the world in which we want to live,” says Bounville. “Each step we take will be one closer to the transformed world of our dreams.”
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/IntoLightWalk
Twitter: http://twitter.com/IntoLightWalk
Four Square: https://foursquare.com/intolightwalk
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/IntoLightWalk
intothelightwalk.com
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