Wednesday, May 16, 2012

Love is precious


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:

Arlene said...

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.

Barbara Elsborg said...

Thanks, Arlene!!!

Fred said...

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.

Barbara Elsborg said...

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.

Barbara Elsborg said...

We HAVE to believe it Kimberly!!

Andrea said...

Thank you for participating in such an important cause.

andreagrendahl AT gmail DOT com

Anonymous said...

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

Jen said...

Thanks for the giveaway and for participating in the blog hop!

ineedtoread76 [at] gmail.com

Vona Logan said...

Hi Barbara
Thanks for your post. We need to stand united against this terrible problem.
vonalogan@gmail.com

Barbara Elsborg said...

Thanks for stopping by, guys!! I appreciate every word of your support!

B said...

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

wulf said...

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

Foretta said...

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

Barbara Elsborg said...

And thanks once more for commenting! The more support we all show, the better!

Anonymous said...

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.

Barbara Elsborg said...

Sorry to hear that, Sassy. Sad that not everything can have a happy ending. Thanks for commenting.

Anonymous said...

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

Lisa said...

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

Yvette said...

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

L.M. Brown said...

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.

Mirana said...

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.

gigi said...

Interesting post. Thanks for participating in the HOP.

gisu29(at)gmail(dot)com

Barbara Elsborg said...

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.

Juliana said...

Thanks for taking part in this hop!
OceanAkers@aol.com

Cathy M said...

I totally agree, Barbara. Love is precious, and it is way past time for change.

caity_mack at yahoo dot com

Peggy said...

Thank you for the post on such a great cause.

peggy1984@live.com

Barbara Elsborg said...

Thanks again for all the comments. The winner - chosen by random generator thingy - is Lisa. I'll be in touch!

Barbara Elsborg said...

Thanks again for all the comments. The winner - chosen by random generator thingy - is Lisa. I'll be in touch!

Lisa said...

Thanks again, Barbara!

Anonymous said...

Homophobic Cyberstalking story of the Century can be read here http://homophobicdorsetpolice.blogspot.co.uk/2013/08/the-pre-meditated-and-manipulated-16th.html