Thanks for holding still for the political rant; it’s not all grimness around here.
I’d like to think that I’m doing something real, if small, to change the way people think. Perhaps it’s just entertainment, but that has always been a path to acceptance. The same way various ethnic groups have struggled to acceptance in the boxing ring (once many fighters were Irish, then came a wave of Jewish boxers, and more recently, African-Americans. Now one sees a lot of Hispanic boxers.) the protagonists of stories are also doing something to bring familiarity and acceptance for homosexuals, as are the writers, who turn out to be the person in the cubicle next door.
So, kind readers, thanks for stopping by on this blog hop. We have a long list of participants: good people, every one.
I’m going to ask you to brighten my little corner here. Tell me one positive change you’ve seen.
Everyone who shares a good thing and leaves an email address and a preference of file type may have a copy of the short story Carole Cummings and I wrote together, Crepuscule Monstrum. Your choices are pdf, epub, and mobi, and you get pdf if you don’t say otherwise. All commenters will be entered into a drawing for a PD Singer keychain flashlight, to be awarded May 21.
So, guys, tell me one positive change against homophobia that you’ve seen, whether it’s big or small.
Well, I haven’t read anything hateful as the neighborhood I live in prepares to put up a memorial to Minnesota Allan H. Spear, who was the first openly gay member of Minnesota Legislature – he came out in 1974.
It’s small, it’s quiet, but it’s progress. Thank you.
I live in a small and conservative community (less than 500 people). A close friend posted on Facebook that she and her partner were expecting twins. One person posted a nasty comment about lesbians raising children. Most people in the area jumped in to voice their support for my friend’s family. My friend was surprised and very touched that so many people came to their defense.
Yay on social pressure for acceptance!
One positive thing? We are going to be attending our friends’ wedding (two men) in New York this fall. I used to tease about coming to Canada to get married, now we are going to them and I couldn’t be happier for them. So things are changing for the better, slowly, but surely. (And I loved your rant. 🙂 You go girl.)
Definitely progress. Best wishes for a long and happy life together for your friends.
How about THIS followed by THIS for something positive? It made me teary and gave me hope.
Sometimes I think we just have to wait for the dinosaurs to die. Because I know my kids and their friends can’t understand why this is an issue. Which means—to me—that this is a generational thing, and that for most of those under 60, basic human rights are what you get for being human, not for being a particular sort of human. I see the tide turning—I just hope it gathers strength and momentum and hurries its ass up.
Great post, love. *fist bump*
Thank you–I wish Colorado had done as well–ours lost 4-5. As Niels Bohr said about acceptance for quantum mechanics: “Funeral by funeral, theory advances.” I’d like to think we can do better than that.
Little by little we’re seeing change. One day we’ll look back at images of hate slogans and offensive posters, and feel shame for our nation.
It is shameful.
The You Can Play project, which works toward acceptance of LGBT athletes and the elimination of all forms of homophobia in team sports, has become really successful in a relatively short time. As a hockey fan, I’m gratified by the number of NHL players who’ve publicly supported the cause. And as a San Jose Sharks fan in particular, I’m especially proud that the Sharks’ Tommy Wingels (along with the Phoenix Coyotes’ Andy Miele) was one of the first NHL athletes to help get the project off the ground as a member of its board of directors, before he and Miele knew if they would be alone in their pro-LGBT stance. Sports can be such a bastion of homophobia, and I’m thrilled to see a shift in the other direction.
Hockey is my new favorite sport, just for that.
My good thing is that I have watched my daughter stand up for the rights of gay teens caught having a PDA in the local mall and telling the crowd to grow up and get a life.
mobi would be my choice or pdf
normanielsen@bigpond.com
Peer pressure–a power for good at last! (file sent!)
My mentor from when I was in seminary, a former Marine, pastor, conservative white man, sat and listened to me when I came out to him. He let me explain to him how I was born this way, he let me read to him what the Bible actually said in its original text and what it means and he let me tell him how my sexuality and the way that I identify has no bearing at all on my relationship with YHVH. Although he passed away recently after a heinous attack, one of the last things he told me was that he still loved me and that “the marriage bed is un-defiled, so whatever you choose to do in the privacy of your own bedroom, and whoever you choose to do it with, is your business as long as everyone involved are consenting adults.” That, right there, is why I keep standing, because if he can listen and change his opinion, then anyone can.
mobi would be my format of choice or pdf.
vicktorabailey@yahoo.com
To learn and understand that way proves he was a big-hearted man. Thank you for sharing. (File sent)
Teaching high school can be a war zone, especially in an area where guns and drugs are everywhere, but I’ve seen little lesbians with their rainbows run for president of the class and a gay couple crowned kings of prom. I wear my rainbow bracelet so they know they can come to me, I have a pink triangle on my door so they know I’m a safe place if they need me, and it warms my heart when I see a kid who doesn’t fit in, gay, nerdy, awkward, not so bright, disabled, what have you… I love it when I see them fit in because another child takes the time to just be good. We need more humane humans. The next generation seems to be doing better than us.
Thank you for participating in the hop, PD!
Bella
bellaleone4 at gmail dot com
http://www.bellaleonebooks.com
My kids are in high school, it’s a rough age all the way around. Thank you for being there for the kids, and I’m glad there are positive things happening! (file sent)
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
Argghhh! I *hate* it when the kids say that and then defend it when you call them on it. I fight this battle with my sons’ friends. (File sent)
I can’t think of anything as postive as the other posters have shared, but I think the huge number of participants in this very hop, people from all walks of life, is a postive thing.
Sometimes it’s the smallest things that show progress, like a friend or colleague feeling able to mention a partner when talking about weekend plans.
I teach my students acceptance and tolerance for all and that discrimination is wrong…I hope that I am making a small difference.
Yvette
yratpatrol@aol.com
That’s where it starts–you are making a difference. (file sent)
I need to say thank you to all the blogs and posters for supporting my community as I AM a A Bisexual woman w/a disability. Yep, Life on Wheels iddnt enough I had to add Anything That Moves to the PILE! Seriously, I joined groups, but only was out when I felt safe. Was never mean, but I cannot call myself brave either. Thanks for standing up and standing out
Love to you all
Cindy L
CLopez8998@gmail.com
You sound honest and thoughtful–I bet you’re a joy to know. Thanks for coming by. (file sent)
One positive thing? I’ll give you 280 positive things ^.^ I’m amazed and deeply touched by every single post I’ve read during this hop. I haven’t managed to get through all 280 of them, but I’m getting there! Even if I won’t finish reading them all today, I’ll damn well read every single one of them, even if it’ll take me all week. So increasing the length of the hop next year!
Nothing changes if you don’t speak out, so this is one way of making a change. (file sent)
The most positive thing I’ve seen lately? Well, honestly, it’s been this blog hop. I heard about it back at its inception and have been following its progress ever since, and it’s just amazing to me the amount of people who have joined and commented and made me smile and laugh and cry…. and mostly gave me a little hope. And I think this hop has inspired people following it to step out a little more and speak up a little louder. I know it’s done that for me.
Hugs! I agree, speaking out together is a powerful thing. (wave if you want the story!)
I live in a small city in Kentucky and someone recently started a church that encourages the glbt community to join, thier sign has a rainbow and they have gay singers that perform. I think this is a giant step for our small city.
peggy1984@live.com
That is a huge step, and kudos for them being inclusive. (file sent)
Hello P. D.,
One Positive Thing….In my opinion I feel eReaders have done wonders in helping to “open” the minds of many of those “close-minded” people. Authors have been such a Great Asset in reaching out & helping people experience & accept GLBTQ rights with your Wonderfully Romantic, Loving, Emotional Writing…& of course Erotic & Sensual 😉 …making it more likely for them to be accepting, understanding & comfortable with homosexuality in real life….We Could Hope, Right???
Thank You for participating in the Hop Against Homophobia.
Take care P. D. & Wishing You All the Best,
PaParanormalFan Renee
paranormalromancefan at yahoo dot com
Exactly! Social change goes along with the entertainment. (File sent)
Thanks so much to all who stopped by! If you did not get your story, let me know and I will resend. Enjoy!