2014 Hop Against Homophobia and Transphobia - Same-Sex Marriage and What Being a Supporter means?

  

When I started writing this post, I wasn't entirely sure what I wanted to write. I decided to do what I do with my stories and just go. This week there is a huge group of authors, reviewers, and bloggers everywhere who are posting to support the Hop Against Homophobia and Transphobia. I think this is a wonderful way to show support within the LGBTQ community and I truly hope it makes the impact we all want to see it make. Raising awareness of the hatred still held within the hearts of so many to others outside of our community will someday bring about the one thing we still so desperately want... acceptance and equality.

While the United States and the people here have come quite a distance from how it was thirty, twenty, even ten years ago, we still have a long way to go as a society in accepting people no matter who they are. I'd like to see the distinction between marriage and 'gay' marriage gone. It's just marriage! No matter whether it's two men, two women, or one man and one woman. It's still just two people who love one another and support one another in times of hardship. Two people who want to spend their lives together and build a family. Isn't that all that matters? Why should anything else matter? 

 

To kind of take a tangent off in another direction, I wanted to express my opinion about something which touched a nerve for me recently. There are some people in the LGBTQ community who believe if you aren't out on the street dressed in a rainbow t-shirt with a rainbow flag marching in a parade or protest and proudly screaming for equality you aren't a true supporter. So because I'm not one of those who run out to every Pride festival or rally or stand on the White House lawn yelling at the President and demanding equality for all, I'm not allowed to say I'm a supporter of LGBTQ rights? Who says? Who makes that determination? I write gay romance. I hurt for those I see affected by the hatred still felt in so many hearts. I reprimand anyone in my little bubble of a world who says anything offensive or snarky about gay men and women. I CARE. I donate to LGBTQ charities. I openly and proudly tell people what I write without a care of what they think. Why doesn't this count? 

I don't see how there should be a distinctive way to support LGBTQ rights. I guarantee you a ton of those people who voted YES on same-sex marriage are like me. Are the ones saying if you aren't actively out there demanding equal rights you aren't a supporter those people don't count as one either? I think that's b.s. They are supporters because if they weren't there wouldn't be those states which now have legalized same-sex marriages. I don't believe you have to be shouting from the rooftops to be heard. Sometimes a whisper is much more effective than a scream. 

Maybe my post will anger some, but how is the judgment of those whispering any different? 

That sort of went all over didn't it? Sorry about that. I have been told more than once my thoughts are fragmented and I can't help how they come out sometimes. Same thing with my writing. My sentence structures tend to come out in unique ways because of the way my brain works. 

On for the part you're all here for... the give away! :D  So this is just a simple thing. Comment to win! I will randomly choose someone as the winner of a bit of swag from Rainbow Con 2014, some of it mine and some it from other authors. I have key chains, pens, and more! No restrictions on locale. If you live in the US or outside of it, doesn't matter. So feel free to comment no matter where you live! :) The winner will be drawn the day after the last day of the hop, May 25th. PLEASE include some form of contact, be it an e-mail or social media avenue. I need to be able to get in touch with you to get your mailing address. 

Please be sure to visit the many, many other blogs participating in this HAHAT event! There are such wonderful posts and awesome prizes to win! Please visit this post to find the links to the other blogs: Hop Against Homopbia - CLICK HERE!