Ruben Diaz At The AIDS Walk

Village Voice reporter Steven Thrasher just texted me the above photo of Queer Rising's fun with a Ruben Diaz standee at the AIDS Walk. I'll see some of you folks in the Bronx shortly.

Queer Rising And Ruben Diaz

The Village Voice's Steven Thrasher tips us to Queer Rising's plan for Sen. Ruben Diaz this weekend.

The kids over at Queer Rising, whose actions for marriage equality have been some of the more entertaining protests we've covered lately, were incensed when they heard of Diaz's plans to hold an anti-gay rally during the annual AIDS Walk. Faced with a conundrum about whether to counter-protest Diaz in the Bronx, or to support the largest fundraiser to fight HIV/AIDS of the year, they've come up with a pretty fun solution. From their press release:

Queer Rising will have a large cut-out Ruben Diaz figure replete with "fabulous costume changes" that people will have the opportunity to take photos with at the AIDS Walk for $1.00. All proceeds of will be donated directly to GMHC, with suggested directing of funding to HIV/AIDS work specifically in the Bronx.

You can find Queer Rising and the ersatz Diaz on the AIDS Walk route at Riverside Drive and W. 95th beginning at 10:30am.

Queer Rising And Ruben Diaz

The Village Voice's Steven Thrasher tips us to Queer Rising's plan for Sen. Ruben Diaz this weekend.

The kids over at Queer Rising, whose actions for marriage equality have been some of the more entertaining protests we've covered lately, were incensed when they heard of Diaz's plans to hold an anti-gay rally during the annual AIDS Walk. Faced with a conundrum about whether to counter-protest Diaz in the Bronx, or to support the largest fundraiser to fight HIV/AIDS of the year, they've come up with a pretty fun solution. From their press release:

Queer Rising will have a large cut-out Ruben Diaz figure replete with "fabulous costume changes" that people will have the opportunity to take photos with at the AIDS Walk for $1.00. All proceeds of will be donated directly to GMHC, with suggested directing of funding to HIV/AIDS work specifically in the Bronx.

You can find Queer Rising and the ersatz Diaz on the AIDS Walk route at Riverside Drive and W. 95th beginning at 10:30am.

Queer Rising To Protest Easter Parade

Queer Rising will protest the Catholic Church at this weekend's NYC Easter Parade, which as evidenced by the above photo typically draws a fair amount of gay men, drag queens, and fashionistas. Queer Rising cites a recent anti-gay marriage lobbying trip to Albany by Archbishop Timothy Dolan as prompting the protest. Via press release:

"It is good to see members of the LGBT community stand up to the prejudice and hatred of the Catholic Church. The Church's hatred of members of the LGBT community and their opposition to a women's right to choose must be confronted where ever possible. The blood of LGBT people victimized by violence belongs on the door steps of St. Patrick's Cathedral," said Allen Roskoff, an LGBT activist and the President of the Jim Owles Liberal Democratic Club.

Queer Rising will be joined at the protest by Connecting Rainbows. In recent weeks Queer Rising has staged traffic blockades around midtown Manhattan.

Tweet Of The Day - Queer Rising

This morning Queer Rising blocked the intersection of Manhattan's 42nd Street and Sixth Avenue with a giant yellow banner as part of their protest for marriage rights in New York state. Village Voice reporter Steven Thrasher tweets: "Reactions from those held up ranged From support to amusement to rage to confusion." I'll have photos and video later this morning.

UPDATE: Queer Rising sends us this press release.

The LGBTQ activist organization Queer Rising’s protest against New York’s discriminatory marriage laws ends in arrest after eight members refused to move from the intersection at 42nd St. and 6th Avenue. A 75-foot banner reading “NY DEMANDS MARRIAGE EQUALITY NOW!” was unfurled. Unwilling to wait any longer for equal rights and protection from the state of New York, the eight activists refused to let Manhattan go on with business as usual while thousands of LGBTQ families live as second-class citizens. LGBTQ people throughout the state are no longer willing to remain silent until the unjust marriage laws change. "It’s a sad thing that I have to go to such extreme lengths for rights that others were born with," said Frostie Flakes, one of the three arrested drag queens.

“We do not enjoy inconveniencing drivers on their hectic morning commute,” said Jake Goodman, a member of Queer Rising and another arrestee, “but we less enjoy living without the 1,324 protections and rights granted by state-recognized marriage. We only hope others stop the routine of their everyday lives to join us and demand marriage equality now.” Those arrested were: 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.

(Photo via Queerty)

NEW YORK CITY: Activists Announce Plan To Block Traffic Over Marriage Rights

Perhaps taking their cue from GetEQUAL's blockade of the Las Vegas strip last summer, Queer Rising today issued a press release announcing their plan to blockade Manhattan traffic next Tuesday in a protest over marriage rights.

The LGBTQ activist organization Queer Rising has planned a March 1 demonstration to protest the lack of marriage equality in New York State. A protest and civil disobedience will occur in Midtown Manhattan on the morning of Tuesday, March 1, 2011. Complete details as to the location, action and Queer Rising participants will be released to media on the morning of March 1st. "The federal government has advanced the cause of marriage equality this week, with the decision to stop defending the Defense of Marriage Act," said Queer Rising founding member Natasha Dillon. "But New York State shamefully lags behind on the issue. Marriage equality was defeated in December 2009 and the measure was not included in Governor Cuomo's 2011 Executive Budget. LGBTQ New Yorkers refuse to be persecuted, second-class citizens any longer!"

Bigotry Special At Target

Queer Rising made a customer service announcement at a Target in Madison, Wisconsin, much to the annoyance of store management.

Queer Rising Protests Sen. Ruben Diaz

Queer Rising's protest at Sen. Ruben Diaz' fundraiser in the Bronx last night was primarily meant to shame Democratic state Senate leader John Sampson for aligning himself with the state's most vile homophobe. However Sampson didn't show up, even though he was a co-sponsor of the event. Does Sampson finally get it? Or was he just afraid of being photographed while being screamed at by angry LGBT activists? Note how Diaz makes his entrance accompanied by a much younger woman who disdainfully blows kisses to the protesters.

THURSDAY: Queer Rising To Protest Fundraiser For Sen. Ruben Diaz

Via press release:

Queer Rising is outraged by New York State Senate Majority Leader John Sampson's decision to hold a fundraiser for anti-LGBTQ Senator Ruben Diaz of the Bronx on Thursday, August 12th. Senator Diaz led the Democratic revolt against Marriage Equality in the Senate last December, and he is a key target of a unified LGBTQ effort. In response, Queer Rising invites all to join us at "The Sampson & Diaz Bigot Gala" paparazzi protest. “Queer Rising is in the business of holding people accountable for their anti-LGBTQ actions, attendees of this function are supporting a bigot and need to be exposed.” Natasha Dillon, a founding member of Queer Rising.

Date: Thursday, August 12th
Time: 6 pm
Location: Maestro's Caterers: 1703 Bronxdale Avenue

VIDEO: Activists Crash Fundraiser Of Traitorous NY Dem Sen. Joe Addabbo

DADT Rally Underway At White House

Today's DADT rally is underway outside the White House, where Howard Dean has joined the protesters. Photos via Twitter. Follow along at #DADT.

SUNDAY: DADT Rally At White House

GetEQUAL, Queer Rising, and Talk About Equality will join forces for an anti-DADT rally at the White House this Sunday. Via press release:

WHO: Speakers Include Lt. Dan Choi, Capt. Jim Pietrangelo II, Lt. Robin Chaurasiya, Cpl. Evelyn Thomas, Spc. Jarrod Chlapowski, Maj. Mike Almy, Capt. Tanya Domi, Cpl. Brett Edward Stout, Sgt. Brian Fricke, Sgt. Justin Elzie

WHERE: Lafayette Park across from The White House

WHEN: Sunday, May 2, 2010, 12:00 noon (EDT) to 3:00 pm (EDT)

A solidarity rally will take place on the same day at the Phoenix office of Sen. John McCain.