Review of CHAINED TO FREEDOM that mentions discrimination at Orlando Health

Here is a review of CHAINED TO FREEDOM, which just opened at the Orlando International Fringe Theatre Festival. In it, the oppression at Orlando Health is mentioned...

Fringe review: ‘Chained to Freedom,’ Open Door Productions, New York, NY

By Elizabeth Maupin

Alan Bounville is a man with a mission. Bounville wants to change the laws that deny gays and lesbians the same civil rights enjoyed by heterosexuals. Chained to Freedom is the story of his fight.

It’s not an especially unusual story, although it turns out that Bounville slightly knew Ryan Skipper, the gay man who was beaten and stabbed to death in rural Polk County in 2007 and has become known as Central Florida’s Matthew Shepard.

But it wasn’t Skipper’s murder that galvanized Bounville: It was the refusal of his own employer, Orlando Health, to grant domestic-partner benefits. Bounville quit his job, picketed at a corporate-sponsored event and then moved to New York to fight the fight ion a national scale.

Good activists aren’t always practiced actors, and Bounville could work on speaking up and on not making his material sound so melodramatic. (In drama, less is often more.) Still, a little agitprop theater is nearly always a good thing. I only wish Bounville weren’t preaching to the choir.

Remaining shows: 8:35 p.m. Tuesday 5/25, 10:10 p.m. Wednesday 5/26, 5:10 p.m. Friday 5/28. Yellow venue.

Review of CHAINED TO FREEDOM - Mentions discrimination at Orlando Health

Here is a review of CHAINED TO FREEDOM that is currently playing at the Orlando International Fringe Theatre Festival...

Fringe review: ‘Chained to Freedom,’ Open Door Productions, New York, NY

By Elizabeth Maupin

Alan Bounville is a man with a mission. Bounville wants to change the laws that deny gays and lesbians the same civil rights enjoyed by heterosexuals. Chained to Freedom is the story of his fight.

It’s not an especially unusual story, although it turns out that Bounville slightly knew Ryan Skipper, the gay man who was beaten and stabbed to death in rural Polk County in 2007 and has become known as Central Florida’s Matthew Shepard.

But it wasn’t Skipper’s murder that galvanized Bounville: It was the refusal of his own employer, Orlando Health, to grant domestic-partner benefits. Bounville quit his job, picketed at a corporate-sponsored event and then moved to New York to fight the fight ion a national scale.

Good activists aren’t always practiced actors, and Bounville could work on speaking up and on not making his material sound so melodramatic. (In drama, less is often more.) Still, a little agitprop theater is nearly always a good thing. I only wish Bounville weren’t preaching to the choir.

Remaining shows: 8:35 p.m. Tuesday 5/25, 10:10 p.m. Wednesday 5/26, 5:10 p.m. Friday 5/28. Yellow venue.

Orlando Health Discrimination Shared at National Conference

The discrimination happening at Orlando Health continues to be shared. This past Friday a group of New York University students presented at a conference at the University of Massachusetts Amherst discussing the multiple layers of oppression Orlando Health leaders are hurling upon their employees, patients and the public in general.

It was great to continue to spread this message - and to share here that letting more and more people know about the multiple ills this large hospital system is inflicting upon people - WILL NOT DIE!

Next month, the play CHAINED TO FREEDOM will be presented at the the Orlando International Fringe Theatre Festival. In it, great detail is taken to unpack the multiple oppressions at Orlando Health and show how they tie into a much bigger picture of oppression for queer and non queer people alike. Stay tuned (especially the Orlando Health spies and legal entities that follow this blog's every move).

CHAINED TO FREEDOM - UPLOADED ON ORLANDO FRINGE PAGE

Here is the link for my new show premiering at the Orlando International Fringe Festival, CHAINED TO FREEDOM that exposes the discrimination happening at Orlando Health among other oppressions.

A portion of the proceeds from the show will benefit direct actions for LGBTQI equality in Central Florida.

http://orlandofringe.org/node/768

New Watchdog of this Blog...

I would like to officially welcome Thompson, Sizemore, Gonzalez & Hearing as Obsessed Blog Follower for the Week!

I wonder - did Orlando Health waste more money and hire this firm to try and build a case to defend the discrimination happening at Orlando Health? If so, wouldn't it have been better to use that money for better use like to, I don't know, maybe - PROVIDE DOMESTIC PARTNER BENEFITS TO ORLANDO HEALTH EMPLOYEES!!???

Just a question.

To learn more about the company-centered work this firm does, go to:

http://www.tsghlaw.com/practice.html

Orlando Health Discrimination Presented at National Conference

The story of discrimination at Orlando Health continues to reach wider audiences. It has been announced that a section of this story will be presented at a 2010 national educational conference. More details coming soon!

Alan Bounville

Hello Mateer Harbert PA and Orlando Health Babysitters!

I have waited a while to share the following...

It's funny - Orlando Health cannot afford domestic partner benefits for employees but they can afford to have two Orlando Health employees monitor my every move on this blog. And, it looks like they have hired law firm Mateer Harbert to also follow this blog and all Orlando Health Diversity Initiative activities. And there are a number of Orlando Health employees and many people in the community who follow this blog - and the number of viewers keeps growing!

I know all of the above because I track who comes to the blog, where they come from, etc. through a common online tracking service. This blog has seen thousands of hits in the handful of months it's been live - but two Orlando Health employees and one Mateer Harbert employees are virtually obsessed with this blog! I can't imagine how they get anything else done because they are on this blog almost every day.

So - officially - Hello Orlando Health and Mateer Harbert babysitters! How are you doing today?

Alan L. Bounville

PS - I often go on this blog to pretend like I'm updating posts just to flag my babysitters that I've done something and interrupt their work day so they can check on me. Maybe if Orlando Health would get rid of my babysitters they could afford domestic partner benefits for employees. WAIT! They could already afford this because studies show that offering domestic partner benefits costs companies very little - and draws more talented employees to a company. And, since Orlando Health is SELF INSURED - in reality it would cost them nothing at all to offer domestic partner benefits!

Orlando Health Discrimination Mentioned by National Media Outlet

Read the link below that details the group I have co-founded here in New York City and see how the oppression at Orlando Health is mentioned. This is the second media mention of the oppression taking place at Orlando Health - and it is in a national LGBTQI publication, reaching thousands of people.

As this movement continues to grow and allow more and more people to feel comfortable talking openly about the bigotry and oppression at Orlando Health - the better off we all will be.

LINK TO ARTICLE

Note: The article is featured on the main New York City page and is linked from all EDGE city home pages pages nationwide.

Orlando Health - be prepared for direct action because it's coming your way as we DEMAND equality in the workplace. NO MORE EXCUSES.

If you would like to get involved in direct actions against Orlando Health, please contact me at:

Alan L. Bounville

407-484-6671

alanbounville@gmail.com

Thank you.

Alan L. Bounville

Orlando Health Silences All Facebook Fans

I wanted to let you know that it appears Orlando Health has decided since they can't get away with discriminating on their Facebook fan page, they have blocked all fans from sharing any comments, be them supporting the status quo or critical of the organization.

In one sense this is good news, since it is not right for them to have been silencing some and not all. In another sense it is bad news, since they are doing as they have been this whole time - trying to suppress the truth about the organization - that Orlando Health is a great place to work for some people and an oppressive environment for others.

Many Orlando Health employees, patients and patient family members have reached out and contacted me since I have started sharing information on this blog. If I were Orlando Health, I'd do the right thing soon to avoid being dragged into a very public light for the discrimination and censorship they have pressured onto people - not just on Facebook, but every day in this top down business environment.

One thing you may be able to do still is add your thoughts to the Facebook discussion page Orlando Health opened on the waaaaay back pages of their Facebook group about domestic partner benefits (one of a number of problems addressed in the proposal that started all of this - the well reasoned proposal Orlando Health employees presented to 'leaders' that was ignored).

If you have been following the Facebook part of this story, you will know that Orlando Health decided to create the discussion page to address the domestic partner benefits part of this much bigger discussion. But regardless, they opened up a forum to discuss their own oppression. Take advantage of that. If you are fearful of being retaliated against, ask fellow employee Mike Cherry how he is being treated, since he openly provided critical feedback on this discussion page. If he can do it - so can you - or at least, you can encourage others from the community to stand up and add their voices.

As others have done, let me know what your concerns at Orlando Health are. You have my commitment to keep your identity strictly confidential, as I have done with everyone who has come to me in private to date.

Alan L. Bounville

407-484-6671

alanbounville@gmail.com

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.

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

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

Video 7 - Boston, MA

Here is this week's video filmed in Boston, MA.

Wherever I go, so goes this message.

Sign the petition today.

Alan L. Bounville

407-484-6671

alanbounville@gmail.com

Organizational Oppression - A One Man Show

It is official. The play I am writing detailing this whole movement has been selected by the Orlando International Fringe Festival for their 2010 season.

Organizational Oppression - A One Man Show is a one-act play that details one person's journey as an emerging activist. Through the very personal true story, I will share how much of an impact oppression in the workplace had on my life and why I choose to stand up against it in such a public and artistic way. I hope you will join me in May, 2010 at the Orlando International Fringe Festival!

A portion of the proceeds will benefit future performances of this play in other cities where this kind of oppression exists. Another portion of the proceeds will benefit outreach efforts to continue encouraging Orlando Health to embrace the calls to action in the ignored proposal and petition. And yet another portion will benefit my bank account. I'm a poor grad student living off student loans. It's the sad state of education in this country, being financially penalized to further ourselves. I digress.

If Orlando Health or anyone tries to thwart this play's production - whether it be by subversive means or direct affronts I am fully prepared to engage in legal action.

To learn more about the Orlando International Fringe Festival visit:

www.orlandofringe.org

Alan L. Bounville

407-484-6671

alanbounville@gmail.com

PS Orlando Health employees will receive a $2 discount to the show.

Giving Thanks

I thought it would be appropriate to share during this season of thanks - some of my thanks.

I worked at Orlando Health for 2 1/2 years. I lived in Orlando for about 20 years. And I am gay. Much of my work in Orlando centered around fundraising and marketing. As the public face to different organizations I was often part of meetings or in groups with those who would identify as conservative. Often in these settings I would be nervous to speak my mind, interject with a criticism or let my hair down, so to speak and just be myself.

Since moving to New York and starting my graduate studies at New York University I have found a pressure I didn't even know was there dissipating. More and more I feel I am coming into my skin - caring less and less how I am perceived - and able to go about my daily life at work and school with less anxiety and more focus on what is important to me - getting the most of my very expensive, probably-will-never-be-able-to-pay-back education.

I am surrounded by supportive people - people who think the idea of not extending domestic partner benefits to Lesbian, Gay, Straight, Transgender, Bisexual unmarried employees in any setting is appalling. When I share with people the pressures I felt as a gay person working for Orlando Health they understand me. They know that any organization that does not stand on the side of all their employees is oppressing some of them for certain. The people I confront here don't understand why Orlando Health won't provide domestic partner benefits and further establish a diversity initiative where all employees have a voice. In 2009 they say such bigotry is ridiculous and is a clear sign something is wrong.

When I think of what a true commitment to diversity will bring to the whole Central Florida community - I don't understand either why it is so hard for Orlando Health to - just - change. All I can think now is - in doing so, Orlando Health would create an imbalance in benefits and opportunities hospitals provide in Central Florida causing employees from all hospitals to want to lobby for more voice in their organizations - which would probably lead to...

UNIONS!

Yikes! What if all the leaders in healthcare in Central Florida had an unwritten agreement to not stray to far away from the status quo as to not give the common folk the idea that they have more power than they think they have at present?

Hmm...

In contrast, as we see the tide towards equality shifting among the common folk we see coalition building starting to happen in the Central Florida community. I'd like to give you the contact information for a leader who is committed to working with all who support initiatives like the petition encouraging Orlando Health to be more culturally competent. His name is Paul Wilson. Paul is the president of the Central Florida AFL-CIO. He has been a great ally fighting for equality in the workplace. You can contact Paul confidentially to discuss how employees can have more voice in the workplace in all areas - not just those outlined in the petition.

Paul Wilson, President

ATU LOCAL 1596 &

CF AFL-CIO

407-463-4428 cell

Pwilson122@cfl.rr.com

Well, I said I was going to share some of what I am thankful for. Here goes:

I am thankful we are near the 200 mark in petition signers.

I am thankful I have a weight lifted from my shoulders as an out and proud gay man.

I am thankful that I am on the right side of history.

I am thankful for my loving family and friends who support equality.

And I am thankful that you are reading my words right now.

Have a wonderful weekend with those you love!

Alan L. Bounville

Former Orlando Health employee and current donor

407-484-6671

alanbounville@gmail.com