Today, the 17th May, is the International
Day Against Homophobia and I’m pleased to be part of a blog hop to publicize
it. Yet I’m also sad that such an event should be needed. What right does
anyone have to declare same-sex love to be wrong or immoral or disgusting? You
might not understand it, or prefer to ignore it, but I hope you wouldn’t
condemn it.
Very little makes me happier than to see
people in love. I spend my time writing about it. About men and women, two men
and a woman and more recently two men. I put my characters through all sorts of
trauma but in the end, they live happily ever after and I wish we could let gay
guys and women do the same. It’s hard enough to be different in this world and
bigoted people make it worse. We only get one chance at life – unless you
believe in reincarnation! Let love find its home without our prejudice.
When I was researching for my book Cowboys
Down, I came across the story of a young man, Matthew Shepard, who was tortured
and murdered in 1998 in Wyoming simply because he was gay. The more I read, the
more horrified I was. It made me think not just about poor Matthew and his
family, but all those who knew him, the impact his murder had on their lives,
particularly if they were gay. So without using Matthew’s name, I made my
cowboy Calum, a friend of his, and explored the impact of homophobic murder in
my story.
If you leave a comment on my blog, you have
a chance to win an e-copy of Cowboys Down – or any from my backlist that you
like.
The contest ends on the 20th May so please
leave your comments before then. Make sure I have access to your email address!
I’ll pick a winner at random.
Here’s the link to the main blog page.
There are lots of us in this blog hop. Please take a look at some of the other
posters!
30 comments:
Thanks to authors like you, more and more people should have their eyes opened to the fact that gender and sexuality orientation is a part of being human. Thanks for sharing Calum and Jasper with the world.
Thanks, Arlene!!!
It's gonna take time, and probably another generation or two for acceptance (and we may never have it fully). It hard because I deal with homophobes in my own family. I can be pretty persuasive when I try to be, and I can't make a dent in them on this one subject. I think we kinda consider each other our family's dirty little secret. I don't talk about the homophobes in my family when I'm among my more "enlightened" friends, and I'm pretty sure they don't talk about me when they're among their more "traditional" friends. We don't even broach the subject any more. The wife isn't to bad, she's accepting, but she draws the line at marriage, which I don't understand. Oh well.
I think it's an issue that raises such strong opinions, it's hard to fight those who disapprove. I know my mother would have not agreed at all with same sex relationships. A hint of nudity on the TV had her frothing at the mouth.
We HAVE to believe it Kimberly!!
Thank you for participating in such an important cause.
andreagrendahl AT gmail DOT com
Thanks for participating in this hop to raise awareness Barbara. All of our voices together and our continued willingness to speak out will make a difference. I know it! No need to enter me in the giveaway. Just wanted to stop by and say thanks. :D
Thanks for the giveaway and for participating in the blog hop!
ineedtoread76 [at] gmail.com
Hi Barbara
Thanks for your post. We need to stand united against this terrible problem.
vonalogan@gmail.com
Thanks for stopping by, guys!! I appreciate every word of your support!
Every time I think of Matthew, my heart hurts for him and his family and loved ones. I just wish this wasn't something that happened or continues to happen. We've made strides, but not enough, obviously not enough in America. I hope someday soon.
Thank you for participating in the hop!
Bella
bellaleone4 at gmail dot com
www.bellaleonebooks.com
Every time I hear about what happened to Matthew it tears my heart out.
Thanks for participating in this great blog hop.
penumbrareads(at)gmail(dot)com
I showed a bunch of these post to the teens in my family to show them how hurt some "innocent" remarks are to many others. I get so annoyed when my nephew says "you're so gay". ERRRR drove me crazy. I know he didn't mean anything by it but it is so wrong to use that as a saying. I think that these post have helped. Thank you all for sharing with us!
forettarose@yahoo.com
And thanks once more for commenting! The more support we all show, the better!
Yes I remember that story - I believe there's a follow up with a happy ending....
thanks very much for your comment on my entry. yes was written with love. Unfortunately the person it's based on did not fare too well.
Sorry to hear that, Sassy. Sad that not everything can have a happy ending. Thanks for commenting.
When I heard about Matthew Shepard's tragic story I cried. I can't imagine the grief tha was cause in the wake of his murder. I made a donation to his foundation in honor of Intl Day Against Homophobia.
geishasmom73 AT yahoo DOT com
It breaks my heart when I think of what happened to Matthew Shepard. I also made a donation to his foundation because of this blog hop and I plan on donating to others as well.
Thanks for taking part in the hop!
lkbherring64(at)gmail(dot)com
Thanks for participating for this wonderful cause of awareness…I teach high schoolers and this is a topic that we discuss at length. I just want them to be aware and know that they have the power to change the world!
Yvette
yratpatrol@aol.com
I have also heard of Matthew's heartbreaking story and the project in his name is just one of the organisations I considered donating to in honour of this hop.
No one should have to suffer as he did and in this day and age homophobia should be breathing its last gasps, not becoming ever more common.
Equal rights are only equal if everyone has them.
Hei Barbara
I have surrounded myself with such open-minded friends and family that sometimes it's hard for me to realize that the world we live in can still hold this kind of horror.
I really don't understand how can someone hate other's people love.
Interesting post. Thanks for participating in the HOP.
gisu29(at)gmail(dot)com
Thanks so much for commenting, guys. Mi, I know exactly what you mean. I'm openminded too and so are almost all of my friends. It's hard to imagine what it must be like to live in fear of being name called, abused or even killed because of what you are.
Thanks for taking part in this hop!
OceanAkers@aol.com
I totally agree, Barbara. Love is precious, and it is way past time for change.
caity_mack at yahoo dot com
Thank you for the post on such a great cause.
peggy1984@live.com
Thanks again for all the comments. The winner - chosen by random generator thingy - is Lisa. I'll be in touch!
Thanks again for all the comments. The winner - chosen by random generator thingy - is Lisa. I'll be in touch!
Thanks again, Barbara!
Homophobic Cyberstalking story of the Century can be read here http://homophobicdorsetpolice.blogspot.co.uk/2013/08/the-pre-meditated-and-manipulated-16th.html
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