by Shaun Knittel - SGN Staff Writer

Four Gay marriage equality activists were arrested today for an act of civil disobedience at the New York City Marriage Bureau office.

The Advocate has reported that LGBT activist group Queer Rising led a crowd of protesters to the office - where more than 20 same-sex couples applied to obtain marriage licenses but were turned down.

Eyewitnesses say that during a speech by a Lesbian who applied for a marriage license with a Gay man, four protestors chained and padlocked themselves to the door of the office.

Spring Super, of Queer Rising told The Advocate, "Alan Bounville, Jake Goodman, Justin Elzie, and Gabriel Yuri Bollag were arrested for blocking the entrance to the marriage bureau and were threatened with misdemeanor misconduct."

Super says the act was "very successful."

"Civil disobedience and direct action as a tactic is the root of what this group is about," she said of the organization's first demonstration. Its success ensures there will be more to come. "We plan to take up as many issues that are affecting the LGBT community as possible; Transgender issues, antidiscrimination, hate crimes, and violence," she said.

Like many LGBT marriage equality activists, Super has discontent with the methods previously used in the fight for same-sex marriage and said her group "intends to bring different strategies to the fight."

"It's been very oriented around getting that friendly politician in and out of office," said Super, who considers that a "bankrupt policy."

Queer Rising formed as a result of the failed same-sex marriage bill in New York. The organization aims to galvanize and encourage LGBT people and straight allies to become active.

"What we're saying is we can't vote in a person or pressure the government with threats of voting," she said. "We actually have to do a lot more."

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