The "Employer of Choice" Scam

As I finish writing the first draft of the play I will be performing in Orlando in May about this whole saga, I want to share with you some of the research that is helping me frame the content of the play.

If you've read previous posts you'll have learned that Orlando Health hires a company known as The Herman Group to 'rate' them as an Employer of Choice. This bogus certification is nothing short of disgusting. As you travel this holiday season, in case you need a hospital, you may want to look at the links below to see which hospitals are also clients of this bogus Herman Group. And then you may choose to give your business to culturally competent organizations that are listed as such in the second link below, which is the Human Rights Campaign's (HRC) 2009 Healthcare Equality Index. You can review medical facilities based on a series of criteria that tell you whether or not the organization is truly culturally competent.

The HRC report is complied by healthcare providers themselves filling out a survey and is very cut and dry - and is free. The Herman Group's rating is based on criteria that only benefits the organization, not the employees or patients and is a paid for service by the client (the hospital).

To simplify: HRC Healthcare Equality Index - Good; The Herman Group's Employer of Choice program - bad - very, very bad.

The Herman Group's Employer of Choice Client List:

http://www.employerofchoice.com/employers_recognized.html

The HRC's 2009 Healthcare Equality Index:

http://www.hrc.org/documents/Healthcare_Equality_Index_2009.pdf

I will share more of Orlando Health's hypocritical implementation of their Herman Group rating in a future post.

Oh how the bigotry never ends - UNTIL YOU MAKE IT END!

Alan L. Bounville 407-484-6671

alanbounville@gmail.com

PS I will be organizing a direct action as part of the upcoming Orlando Health protest. I'll be announcing that information soon, so stay tuned - and join the fight against bigotry in your back yard.

First Civil Disobedience Action for LGBTQI Equality Here in New York

Dear Orlando Health,

I've been quite busy this week coordinating the start of a new group here in New York City fighting for LGBTQI equality through direct actions. We launched our first action last night - a symbolic party crashing. Here is a video capturing the event.

LINK TO VIDEO

I share this with you for two reasons:

1. I took my normal time spreading the message about the bigotry you support at Orlando Health and redirected it to equality seeking behavior in my own back yard.

2. You can look forward to a future of direct action to continue to press you to change and embrace the calls to action in the well reasoned proposal.

Whenever you are ready to change your disgusting bigotry - your team members and patients are waiting - but if you continue to refuse - we will have no choice but to resort to direct action and the shame you have received to date will be nothing compared to the light that will be shone upon your organization in the future.

Thank you for reading (as you always do) - and happy holidays.

Alan L. Bounville

Orlando Health Randomly Removing Posts

Orlando Health is now randomly removing posts from their Facebook page. They have warned people they will be removing any posts that have to do with diversity or domestic partner benefits if the posters do not move those comments to the back page discussion board they've opened up for - JUST domestic partner benefits.

Again, Orlando Health is setting themselves up for legal trouble. They are indiscriminately censoring certain people and not others - IN AN OPEN FORUM.

Don't mistake Orlando Health's lies for the truth - Orlando Health created the Facebook page and prompted people to post nice things on it to counter act the abundance of critical information that has amassed on the internet to the contrary. Further, Orlando Health's number one fear is their employees getting the idea that they have power in the work place.

BUT - people are starting to wake up. I received a communication from an Orlando Health employee recently stating the following,

"I am a team member, if u do not use my name I will help you. How about addressing the illegal act of requiring exempt team members to take mandatory time off during the holidays without paying them when the law requires a set salary???"

Orlando Health team members - does the 'leadership' actually change anything from your suggestions on the team member surveys?

Orlando Health patients - how do you feel knowing Orlando Health has five levels of VIP patient status and if you are just a regular patient you are not getting the same attention as other more powerful people or connected people?

YOU CAN ALL ORGANIZE AND GET WHAT YOU DESERVE AT ORLANDO HEALTH. UNIONS ARE NOT ALL BAD - AND IF THE COMPANY IS GOING TO BREAK THE LAW OR TREAT CERTAIN PEOPLE AS LESS THAN EQUAL TO OTHERS - SOMEONE NEEDS TO STAND UP AND SAY ENOUGH IS ENOUGH. YOU ARE THAT SOMEONE.

If you want to confidentially share inequalities you notice in the Orlando Health workplace, as several people have started to do - email or call me. My info is below. We'll work together in confidence to set the next wave of this plan in motion - actually, without sharing details here - that is already happening. You can join in and will be protected.

Don't let people who make more than they should for their level of job tell you what to do. Be your own person.

Thank you.

Alan L. Bounville

407-484-6671

alanbounville@gmail.com

Message Removed from Orlando Health Facebook Page

Here is a message someone shared on the Orlando Health Facebook page that was removed this morning. See graphic below. It was the first message on the page. Why are they trying to suppress the truth? They are silencing some people and not others - all sharing the same message. Sounds like they are getting themselves into a possible legal situation since so many people on their Facebook page are saying the same thing. And no reasons are given to the three people who have been silenced (Rick Sanchez, myself and now Andrew Conte). Orlando Health is acting with knee jerk reaction and indiscriminately as they single people out and do what they seem to do best - DISCRIMINATE.

When will they stop silencing the truth?

Click on the image below to read Mr. Conte's deleted remark

What are Orlando Health 'Leaders' Thinking?

Pay No Attention... or Union Avoidance?

After a year and a half bringing this message to light, yesterday Orlando Health FINALLY acknowledged that there is a conversation going on about the blatant discrimination taking place at their business. The admission came out in a post from them on their Facebook page They tried to contort the messages on the Facebook page, (that clearly stated for themselves the truth) making it sound as if this was only about domestic partner benefits (clearly, this is about a fully inclusive diversity program - domestic partner benefits are a cornerstone to a company being truly culturally competent, but not the be all and end of of the discussion going on).

Further - Orlando Health does not want to offer domestic partner benefits for a much bigger reason than because of bogus financial concerns they put on their new back page discussion item - they don't want to give something other hospital systems in the region don't offer because that gives you - the reader here - the idea that you could get other things like a better vacation policy, a diversity office that examines your specific cultural needs, a more transparent pay structure to ensure all are being paid equal for equal work - and even more.

Imagine if you had an empowered voice at Orlando Health. Imagine that - if just for a moment.

What is the cost of equality? That is the real question.

And what lengths would Orlando Health go to silence people so they don't get the idea that if they band together they can have more than domestic partner benefits or a full fledged diversity office. By organizing, employees at Orlando Health can have a real voice for change.

Why are there no LGBT people or very few people of color in leading positions at Orlando Health? Are those groups not worth such high level positions? They have lived in the community as long as the white leaders and people of color in greater numbers than white leaders.

Have we changed so far from the days Dr. King fought in the south for freedom?

If you've read this post this far, you may want to take a look at this link. If Orlando Health is so concerned about finances when it comes to doing what's right, maybe they should consider cutting some top level salaries to redirect funds towards the power of equality.

Thank you.

Alan L. Bounville

407-484-6671

alanbounville@gmail.com

PS - Orlando Health - two people now have been censored from posting this message of inclusion (that DOES affect all of Central Florida) on your main Facebook page (Rick Sanchez and myself). How many more voices will you silence - because I guarantee you we WILL find out. People will not stop exposing the truth. You save lives everyday - that is a given - you are a hospital - that is your job. Now start treating everyone equal. That will position you on the right side of history.

Only Marrieds and Straights Given Full Benefits Here

Letter from Birmingham Jail

Dr. King would most assuredly support the tactics employed by this campaign to free a group of people from the oppression in the workplace that exists at Orlando Health. Read here a quote from his Letter from Birmingham Jail that still shapes our consciousness in regard to equal treatment of ALL people.

And for those who say Dr. King was a Christian leader and would not support what the Orlando Health Diversity Initiative promotes - look again at history - look at his lead march organizer and advisor, Bayard Rustin, an openly gay black man. Why would Dr. King, a Christian man, take advice from an openly gay man if he did dot believe in equality for all?

Section of Letter from Birmingham Jail by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

"I have almost reached the regrettable conclusion that the Negro's great stumbling block in his stride toward freedom is not the White Citizen's Counciler or the Ku Klux Klanner, but the white moderate, who is more devoted to "order" than to justice; who prefers a negative peace which is the absence of tension to a positive peace which is the presence of justice; who constantly says: "I agree with you in the goal you seek, but I cannot agree with your methods of direct action"; who paternalistically believes he can set the timetable for another man's freedom; who lives by a mythical concept of time and who constantly advises the Negro to wait for a "more convenient season." Shallow understanding from people of good will is more frustrating than absolute misunderstanding from people of ill will. Lukewarm acceptance is much more bewildering than outright rejection.

I had hoped that the white moderate would understand that law and order exist for the purpose of establishing justice and that when they fail in this purpose they become the dangerously structured dams that block the flow of social progress. I had hoped that the white moderate would understand that the present tension in the South is a necessary phase of the transition from an obnoxious negative peace, in which the Negro passively accepted his unjust plight, to a substantive and positive peace, in which all men will respect the dignity and worth of human personality. Actually, we who engage in nonviolent direct action are not the creators of tension. We merely bring to the surface the hidden tension that is already alive. We bring it out in the open, where it can be seen and dealt with. Like a boil that can never be cured so long as it is covered up but must be opened with all its ugliness to the natural medicines of air and light, injustice must be exposed, with all the tension its exposure creates, to the light of human conscience and the air of national opinion before it can be cured."

Don't say this is not your fight - get people to sign the petition TODAY!

Thank you.

Alan L. Bounville

407-484-6671

alanbounville@gmail.com

PS I will be announcing my next visit to Orlando to fight this oppression on the ground very soon.

Orlando Health Diversity Initiative - Video 9

Here is the link to this week's video that discusses Orlando Health's action in silencing my voice on their Facebook page this week. In silencing me, they opened the door for several others to stand up for equality in the workplace. See the short video at the link below.

LINK TO VIDEO

Then do the following:

1. Join Orlando Health's Facebook page and share the message mentioned in the video.

2. Call Orlando Health and ask them why they don't offer domestic partner benefits and why they don't have a diversity office. 321-841-5111.

Thank you for your support.

Alan L. Bounville

Former Orlando Health employee and current donor

407-484-6671

alanbounville@gmail.com

Hateful and Disturbing Facebook Emails

I sent this person a Facebook friend request this evening as I do to many people who are fans of Orlando Health. Some people ask who I am and of course I tell them. Here is the whole chain of messages between us. As I continue to say, when you scratch the surface you uncover so much...

From Ed Laucks in response to my Facebook friend request:

You don't say who you are. You picked me off a site that daughter is on. She doesn't know you. So, what's the deal? I don't agree with a lot of what you say.

My reply to Ed Laucks:

Ed,

I am a former employee and current donor of Orlando Health. I have several friends who work there - gay and straight. Orlando Health has for years been trying to suppress voices. They don't want to offer domestic partner benefits to gay or straight employees, they don't want to create a diversity office to allow employees to bring their different cultural voices to the shaping of the organization.

What part of what I say don't you agree with?

Ed Laucks' reply to me:

Well, for one you are barking up the wrong tree. I am Christian and do not believe in queer life styles. I've had too many queers hit on me in my life who don't know how to take no for answer. And then you expect me to support your cause? Not a chance! I've been married for 30 years! I was raped by a male doctor when I was young in his office.

You would never want to step in front of me. I don't care what you think of me! I don't believe in anything you say! I have my rights to believe in what I want. And you can't make me think otherwise. So bark up somebody elses boner.

My response to Ed Laucks:

Ed,

I am sorry you were raped by a male doctor. That is horrible. Whether that feeds into your homophobia or not - what you say here is extremely hurtful and parallel to the hate people express to people of color, women or any other minority group.

It is also very unfortunate if you are spreading this hate to your family.

And if some day I do happen to step in front of you I would hope you would not cause me any physical harm as that would not at all be Christian of you. In fact, I can't at all what is Christian in any of your statements - unless being Christian means also being homophobic and threatening to LGBT people.

My final message to Ed Laucks:

Ed,

You should know I have posted our communication on the blog I manage in regard to this movement. I assure you - if you were to pursue any kind of further threat I will seek legal action.

Here is the link to the blog post.

http://ohdi.blogspot.com/2009/12/hateful-and-disturbing-facebook-emails.html

Sincerely,

Alan L. Bounville

Video 8 - Beginning Preparation for the Stage

This week I share a bit of the early preparation of turning this story into a staged piece of theatre for presentation at the 2010 Orlando International Fringe Festival. Writing this short script was quite emotional for me - but sharing the reality of the resistance to this movement is vital for all to see the hate and misunderstanding that exists against those who seek to allow more voices into the conversation.

LINK TO VIDEO 8

Thank you.

Alan L. Bounville

Former Orlando Health employee and current donor - who doesn't give up.

407-484-6671

alanbounville@gmail.com

Orlando Health Fights Back!

PLEASE READ THE FIRST POST OF TODAY BEFORE READING THIS ONE.

As a direct result of people defending my right to speak about the need for Orlando Health to be more culturally competent today - just now Orlando Health updated it's status and created a new policy of how it wants to control the public's interaction with their Facebook page. Let's break this down for all to see what they are REALLY doing here...

Orlando Health Post - Made today at 3:29 pm after four people have defended my position that Orlando Health should not have removed me from having the ability to share the message of inclusion that 215 have voiced to date through the online petition supporting a more inclusive environment at Orlando Health:

"Our fan page is 5 weeks old – and we’re thrilled at how quickly it’s growing. In response to that growth, we’ve created an etiquette policy for our fan page. We’ve posted it under the notes tab for you to review. It details our commitment to protecting the integrity of this community. We encourage all of our fans to be relevant and respectful to the community as a whole. Thanks for being a fan of Orlando Health."

Here is what the policy they uploaded at 3:06 pm today states. Note the sections bolded with my response below:

"Facebook is a place where Orlando Health fans can engage the organization and each other. Orlando Health is responsible for protecting the integrity of the community on our fan page. The page is designed to be a safe place to share information, ideas, stories and even differing opinions. However, there are some general rules of conduct that we expect our fans to follow when participating on this page.

Here they are:
• Posts may not be to the detriment or disturbance of the community or its members.
• Posts may not be abusive, defamatory, obscene, fraudulent, harassing, deceptive or misleading, solicitous or promotional in nature, or in violation of any law or regulation.
• The topics covered on the page must be relevant and respectful to our community as a whole. Any posts representing niche messaging will be reviewed for relevance and respect, and may be removed.
• Fans may not post advertisements, chain letters, or pyramid schemes, and may not post the same note more than once, or ‘spam’.
• All grievances with the organization should be filed through the proper channels.
• Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) regulations must be followed at all times. Posts should never contain another person’s full or partial personal health information.
• Team members of Orlando Health should refer to the Orlando Health social networking policy for more information and further guidelines.

Orlando Health reserves the right to do the following:
• Remove communications that are in violation of the Orlando Health Facebook Etiquette policy.
• Block a user from participating if that user’s behavior disrupts the community.

The comments posted by fans to this page do not represent the opinions of Orlando Health, its officers, directors, or affiliates."

My response:

1. Orlando Health is blocking out my differing opinion. That is against their own knee jerk reaction policy.

2. Everything that I have shared on the Orlando Health Facebook Page has been relevant an respectful to the community as a whole for injustice anywhere - IS injustice everywhere.

3. What pray tell are the proper channels one must navigate for Orlando Health to follow through with the proposal presented to leadership that calls for the organization to offer domestic partner benefits, create a diversity office and come into the 21st century in regard to being culturally competent.

4. I wonder what the 'team member' social networking policy is? I wonder if it includes team members only being allowed to say nice things about the place they work. Sounds very similar to the mandatory anti-union meetings the hospital is making all employees sit through.

Please continue posting what's in your heart and mind on Orlando Health's Facebook Page.

Orlando Health - you put up a transparent fight - but sooner or later you will have to concede - Equality ALWAYS wins.

Thank you.

Alan L. Bounville

Former Orlando Health employee and current donor

407-484-6671

alanbounville@gmail.com

I'm Blocked from Making Comments on Orlando Health's Facebook Page

For weeks now I have been periodically posting petition signer's comments on the new Orlando Health Facebook Fan Page. I have also provided other valuable feedback about things people and the organization have posted that fly in the face of true cultural competence. This morning I woke up and found out I've been 'unfriended' from their page. I was able to rejoin, but am not longer able to post anymore comments. NOTE - NOTHING I HAVE POSTED IS OFFENSIVE OR QUESTIONABLE - IT IS ALL FACTUAL AND COMES FROM A LEVEL MINDED PLACE.

BUT - everyone else can still post comments.

Please, if you haven't already join the Orlando Health Facebook Fan Page and let them know silencing a message of diversity and inclusion is wrong. Here are points to mention:

• Orlando Health needs to offer Domestic Partner Benefits to employees.
• Orlando Health needs to create a diversity office where ALL voices are heard and empowered.
• Orlando Health needs to revise its patient and employee policies so that all people are ensured equal treatment at the hospital.

Then, email the hospital president at john.hillenmeyer@orlandohealth.com demanding a response.

Central Florida Residents - This is YOUR hospital that is treating people unequally. My friends who are LGBT or people of color who work there are not equal in the workplace.

Everyone Else - The more light that is shed on this issue the better - like Dr. King said, "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere."

Thank you.

Alan L. Bounville

Former Orlando Health employee and current donor

alanbounville@gmail.com

407-484-6671