Hop Against Homophobia and Transphobia 2014

International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia!

http://hopagainsthomophobia.blogspot.com/

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Gay couples in Arkansas will not be able to get wedding licenses, even though the state Supreme Court upheld a ruling that struck down the ban on same-sex marriage, because a separate law that prevents clerks issuing the licenses to same-sex couples is still on the books.


The justices, in their decision, offered no direction to the county clerks, who knew before the ruling came out that guidance for clerks was still on the books. They had wanted to know what to do with the conflicting findings: the gay-marriage ban is unconstitutional, but clerks aren't authorized to do anything about it.


After Piazza's decision last Friday, clerks in five counties responded by issuing marriage licenses to gay couples. Through Wednesday evening, 456 gay couples in Arkansas had since received permission to marry, according to an Associated Press canvass of county clerks. Pulaski and Washington counties issued licenses Wednesday, but said after the ruling they would stop.


Couples that already have licenses can still get married.

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I was so proud of my birth state for pushing this through. And in a Bible-belt state no less! Allowing same-marriage is an on-going fight that is slowly but surely making it's way across this great land.

Then, of course the state backpedaled and put everything on hold. Surprised? No. Disappointed? You bet. But it was a small step in the right direction...

Small, steady steps. :)

Marriage is being redefined as society's attitudes evolve, and the majority of Americans now support gay marriage. As of Jan. 6, 2014, gay marriage has been legalized in 17 US states (CA, CT, DE, HI, IA, IL, MA, MD, ME, MN, NH, NJ, NM, NY, RI, VT, and WA) and the District of Columbia. 33 states have gay marriage bans through either laws or constitutional amendments or both.

Three people will win one of my ebooks! 

They will get to pick one of the following: Shadows in the Night, Wrapped in Leather, or The Harvest:Taken.

Just leave a comment to enter and an email address. The hop ends late on the 24^th.  I'll announce the winners on the 25th.

~M

Hop Against Homophobia and Transphobia

 http://hopagainsthomophobia.blogspot.com

 

 

 

 

In honor of International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia (May 17^th)  the Hop Against Homophobia and Transphobia (HAHAT) was created last year to spread awareness of homophobia and transphobia, and as a way to stand together as a writer community against discrimination of our works.

  

Last year I talked about my kids and the good friends they've lost to suicide due to homophobia. This year I'd like to touch on something a little more postive. I want to talk about a boy my youngest has been friends with since 4th grade choir. They both graduate this year. As a matter of fact, in just two weeks.

Her friend was kicked out of his house at the beginning of his senior year. His parents are very religious and couldn't handle the fact he's gay. This boy I've known for years. He's a sweet, talented kid who made great grades. He's part of my kiddo's choir and his voice is amazing. The kid has some serious talent. He also was very active in his church.

I'm going to keep this short since there are so many taking part in this hop, but her friend moved back home at the beginning of this year. His mom and dad had a huge wake-up call. They still aren't thrilled with his being gay, but know what? They found out being gay is one thing.

Being dead is another.

That really makes things final.

There was a horrible car accident. Three out of four died in that wreck. I saw what was left of that car and to this day I can't tell you how her friend survived with barely a scaratch. By the grace of God is the best thing I can come up with and it sure made an impact on his parents.

Her friend and his boyfriend were just over here a couple of days ago. Yes, his parents know he has a boyfriend and accept both boys. Everything is fine on the homefront, I'm glad to say. :)

The only sad thing is it took death to wake those parents up. Some parents, and many kids, don't get that second chance.

I'm picking three people to give a book from my backlist to, readers choice. :) Just leave a comment, can be about anything, and an email address. I hope you'll follow my blog, but it's not necessary. :) The hop ends late on the 27th and I'll announce the winners on the 28th.

 

~M

 

And the winner is...

Okay wow, just let me say thank you for the comments! Being a fairly new author I never dreamed I'd recieve so many! Which, *head/desk* makes me wish I'd offer more than one copy! This was my first blog hop so next time I'll know better. And lol, I may have more ebooks to offer.

This was an important hop and I'm glad so many readers and authors' took part. There were stories that moved me to tears and made me wonder how we, as a people, can treat others so harshly. No matter the color of your skin, your religious beliefs, your age, OR your sexual orientation... We all are human and bleed red. We all feel and have needs, dreams and desires. And we all hurt.

I'll never understand why this is even an issue to begin with. It shouldn't be. Let me say that again...



IT SHOULD NOT BE AN ISSUE.








It shouldn't matter wha the sex if the couple is... They love each other! Period.

If you're lucky enough to find love-true, mind blowing, want to send every minute with you, the world is a better place with you in my life-love, then why should any adult be denided that?

Okay, end of rant. LOL







AND THE WINNER IS: Cyn

Congrats Cyn! I'll be emailing you shortly!

~M

Hop Against Homophobia

The purpose of this hop is to bring attention to homophobia and to stand together as an m/m writer community to fight of discrimination against the m/m genre.

Not  long ago a friend of the kiddo's killed himself. He lived in an orphanage in town that's tied to a major church. You know where I'm going with this, right? Hours after he came out he put a gun in his mouth. Details were never released, but he talked to some of his friends before he told his foster parents. My kiddo was one of the last folks to talk to him...

She found out the next morning.

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The recent fiasco with Romance Writers of America is a perfect example, too. I’m not a member, but I was seriously thinking about joining. Then I heard about RWA excluding m/m romances from one of their contests because it felt "icky" to the judges.

Really? They used that word? Doesn’t that say a lot?

Well, they canceled the contest. Frankly, I think that's an insult, too. Apparently no one thought of trying to find judges who were not “icked-out” by men loving each other. I’m sure they could have found plenty of people to judge if the word had been put out.



There's a lot of work to be done for people to accept m/m fiction as something just acceptable as other fiction. Attention must be drawn to this subject—everyday lives are ruined or lost. And this has to stop.




Contest:

Okay now, so, what to do. Join my blog. If you’re a member already let me know in the comment. Then answer this simple question: Do you believe there’s life out there in the great vastness of space?

Leave me a comment with your email address. Please make sure to leave your email! The comment can be as long or as short as you wish! Someone will win a copy of Nighttime Wishes, my latest scifi release from Romance First. I’ll randomly choose a winner and contact you by email May 21!

Thanks, and have fun with the hop! I may bump into y’all, lol!

~M

Visit the Hop page for for links : Hop Against homophobia