Happy weekend everyone.
Today, May 17th, is the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia. Like a lot of authors I participate in the Hop Against Homophobia and Transphobia 2014.
You’ll find the complete list, with links, at the bottom of this post. Be sure to check them out, because they deserve your support, and most of them give away swag and/or books. As will I.
It may sound a bit like preaching to the choir, because I suppose if you’re reading this at all you’re not the one this international event is aimed at. In fact, it says a lot about the sorry state of human society that such a day is still necessary.
I’m lucky enough to live in a country where the discrimination against same-sex couples marrying and adopting was thrown in the garbage bin of history thirteen years ago. I am all the more astounded when I read about the abuse of gays in a rather civilized country like Russia. I am appalled that gays are persecuted, and even risk their life, in countries like Nigeria and Uganda. I’m equally devastated when I read that American parents throw their often under-age children on the street because they’re gay. I simply can’t understand how you can do that to your own flesh and blood. In my opinion these monsters don’t deserve to be called parents, and can only be called human by applying the term in a strictly biological sense.
I think there are a few things we can do against this evil.
One is what I am trying to do now. Heightening the awareness that homophobia and transphobia are very real problems that affect hundreds of thousands of innocent human beings. And we can all do that to a certain degree.
A second, in my eyes, very effective method is standing up when you encounter instances of homophobia and transphobia. This could take the form of publicly denouncing — as loud as you can or dare — those inhuman savages who throw their children out for being gay or transgender, at the same time making a cruel mockery out of everything that parenthood is meant to be. It could also mean talking or mailing to friends and family members to convince them not to vote for politicians with a homophobic or transphobic agenda.
A third, very long-term solution, is better education all around. Make people think. Make them think correctly and make them think for themselves. They will be less likely to be deceived by the evil siren song of those who can’t stand other people being happy in the way of their own choosing.
And you know what? They and their criminal intentions can’t survive in the cold light of reason, nor in the warm light of love. In the end they’re doomed to a hell of their own making.
Meanwhile, I fear, it’s not farewell, but just goodbye. We’ll meet again in 2015. The International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia will still be necessary. But we can hope just a little bit less so.
And now for a chance to win that prize I promised.
In my series Dark Tales of Randamor the Recluse I have tried to create a world where being gay doesn’t matter all that much. I’ve also tried to create characters who will stand up against oppression and injustice.
I’m giving away three sets of the first two ebooks of the series (Bonds of Hate & Bonds of Fear). If you have read the opening trilogy, but not the sequel quadrilogy, you can choose to receive those first two ebooks (Gambit & Castling).
To be entered in the drawing, please comment about what you plan on doing or will continue doing against homophobia and transphobia.
This contest ends midnight May 27th, 2014 PST.
The winner will be announced in a separate post after the 27th, no later than the 29th.
If you see your name among the winners, please contact me through the form on this site. Basically you’re sending me an email, but only I will be able to see your email address. Which is handy, since I will have somewhere to send your prize. Please, don’t forget to mention which set of ebooks you’d like and whether you want them in mobi (kindle compatible) or epub format.
Participants in the Hop Against Homophobia and Transphobia 2014 event
I also live in a very LGBT-supportive country and am amazed and outraged when I encounter news of what you mentioned. My tolerance of bigots is zero and I probably come off as aggressive when I take up defense. It makes me angry to the point of tears to see how so many people truly believe that they’re doing the right thing by fighting against LGBT rights.
All I can do is continue to shine a light on the injustice, take part in online discussions, donate bits of my income and organize and take part in the HAHAT.
Thanks for taking part, Andrew.
Erica
Thank you, Erica.
It’s a comforting thought that the bigots and the haters have always lost in the long run. Meanwhile we have to confront them whenever and wherever we meet them.
i have no patience for bigots. i run a pet sitting buisness and some of my BEST clients are gays and lesbians as well them being some of the nicest ppl i know
parisfan_ca@yahoo.com
I wish more people thought and acted like you, Laurie
Hi Andrew!
Great post!
I’m also participating in the Hop, and I’d like to do more of one of the things you mentioned in your post: speak out when I encounter homophobia/transphobia. Believe me, I’m no wallflower, but there are some occasions when I let ignorant comments pass by. I notice this on the train, usually coming from a pair or group of young men throwing around the “f” word or “that’s so gay.”
I find when I do speak up in those instances, people are embarrassed and apologetic (which is exactly how they should be). I think they assume they can talk that way because there’s no LGBT people around; so it’s a nice reminder to them that we’re everywhere.
That’s probably true. Maybe we should tell them that being homophobic is so gay, and catch them at their own game.
Very heartfelt blog entry. I recently bought a shirt supporting Transgender people My son is transgender. . I haven’t worn it yet, but I can’t wait to hear the comments when I do. Thanks!
Thanks, Lena. I’m sure you’ll turn some heads. And maybe you’ll make those heads think.
I’m not the kind to go and protest. Confronting people who have a specific mindset doesn’t work except to make people angry. If someone did need help, I think I’d offer it. Also just by being me, someone who’s accepting, people could learn through my example. So I guess the answer is ‘just by being me.’
penumbrareads(at)gmail(dot)com
And that could be all it takes…
A fantastic post. Thank you for being a voice in HAHAT. It’s mind boggling sometimes how far a individual(/s) will go to fight against rights that all individuals are entitled to just because of that persons sexual orientation.
humhumbum AT yahoo DOT com
Thanks, H. Yes, one would think with so many worthy causes around, people would put their energy into something else than trying to make other people’s life living hell.
Thank you for your beautiful message – we can all step up and help make a change – we have come so far in the past few years, but there is still so much left to do.
lgrant1@san.rr.com
We’ll get there, Lisa.
I don’t understand parents who throw out the kids either. It just makes no sense to me, your child you love no matter what! Thank you for a powerful blog and for participating in this HOP.
Thanks.
Like I said, Cindy, when your beliefs make you hate your own children, there’s something very wrong with your beliefs.
There was an article in today’s paper about LGBT issues around the world, which was informative, but the implication was “things are almost fixed here in the US,” clearly not true. (Even in San Francisco, a girl at a parochial school was excluded from her high school yearbook photos last week because she wore a tuxedo instead of a dress–the administration claimed it was purely dress code, but she is LGBT, and her classmates saw it as an act of discrimination and protested it as such.)
Thanks, Trix.
I hope they read this article on Lambda Legal
It’s important to be out. These days some are luckier in that respect than others, as there is tremendous variation in respect for human rights from country to country.
While I certainly don’t fear imprisonment, I would like to be able to marry my partner as we have been together for almost 20 years, which is certainly longer than many multiple-marriage heterosexual couples. Yet I should not be forced to uproot our lives and move to a different state in order to do this.
Thanks for hopping along, Andrew!
Thanks, C.C.
It’s both my pleasure and my duty, I feel, as a gay author.
I hope you and your partner will soon be able to have your nuptials.
Terrific post, Andrew! Love this paragraph: “They and their criminal intentions can’t survive in the cold light of reason, nor in the warm light of love. In the end they’re doomed to a hell of their own making.” Sadly, I fear we will see each other at this time again next year, but it warms my heart to know people like you exist and support our hop against the prejudices engendered by phobias. Rock on!
Thanks, Cody.
All of the different religions around the world say that people supposed to treat everyone with kindness love and respect, so I can’t understand why parents would throw their own child out of the house just because of their believes.
ShirleyAnn@speakman40.freeserve.co.uk
Neither can I, Shirley. What I do know is that those people are a disgrace to whatever faith they claim to believe in. They’re immoral hypocrites in my eyes.
“And you know what? They and their criminal intentions can’t survive in the cold light of reason, nor in the warm light of love.”
What a powerful statement. Thanks for a great post, Andrew.
Thanks, Caddy. Loved yours as well.
Well my sister just got out of a relationship with her girlfriend but we go to pride & I donate when I can to different charities for lgbt youth groups.
Thanks for stopping by, Deborah.
Great Post! I plan to keep reading MM books, sporting my rainbow bracelets and I would LOVE to be able to get to the Pride festival in MI this year.
raynman1979(at)yahoo(dot)com
Thanks, Rissa.
I will keep encouraging those I know to see it not as anything but a Justice and equality issue.
Sorry your original trilogy starters would be good and mobi if I win.
Thank you, Roger.
I’ve noticed that the men in my family seemed to toss off the phrase “that’s so gay” . I’ve started calling them on it. And you know what? My young niece told her dad “that’s not right!” And he agreed with her. So I’m just trying to change things in my own family.
MHupp2003(at)yahoo(dot)com
That’s the place to start.
Thanks, Michelle.
treat everyone with respect
bn100candg at hotmail dot com
Indeed. Thanks for stopping by.
Thank you for participating!
My pleasure, and thanks, Wendy.
It’s a great post, Andrew. In my country, the phobia is still very much here.
I’m sorry for you, Lyana, but as they say, things get better. They really do.
A few days too late, but here are the winners:
H.B.
Roger Grace
Shirley Ann Speakman
Please, if you are among the winners, leave a message, using my contact form.
Don’t forget to mention if you want the first two books of the first trilogy, or the first two books of the sequel quadrilogy, and in which format (only epub or mobi).
I’ll send the books to the mail address you’ll fill out in the appropriate box.
Congratulations.