Welcome to the Hop Against Homophobia And Transphobia.
First, I’d like to thank Erica Pike, K-lee Klein, NJ Nielsen, Cherie Noel, and Sasha L Miller for organizing this hop. It is a wonderful thing that you all are doing and it’s great to see so many participating. You can check out the main HAHAT site here.
And, I’ll just quickly add in, that my prize will be your choice of an MM eBook from Total-E-Bound Publishing. Leave a comment – with your email addy in the body of your comment – and I’ll select a winner using random.org at the end of the hop.
Now, on the the reason as to why we’re here.
Too many times I heard or read of horrendous acts caused by homophobia – beatings, rapings, murders and suicides – and I just don’t get it. How can people be so cruel to others? Why is it so important to put in such an effort to tease or harass someone to the point that they take their own life? What kind of evil lies within them that gives them satisfaction in beating, defiling or sexually violating another human being?
All of this because a man chooses to love another man or a woman love another woman, because a person only truly feels like themselves when they dress as the opposite sex or go through the steps to physically be the opposite sex.
Times are changing, though, and while the LGBTQ community is becoming more and more accepted, it’s still not enough. Some people may think, “Oh, I really want to help, be a part of an organization, but I just don’t have the time,” that’s fine. But still make it a point to reach out and change the world any way you can. While it is a wonderful thing to do, you don’t necessarily have to be a part of an organization to make a difference. Showing others that you’re accepting can be enough. Teaching your kids to that it’s okay to stand up for one another against bullies can be enough.
You don’t have to stand on a pedestal to be heard. You don’t have to be some top dog with lots of followers to get your message through. Just open your mouth and say that you care – trust me, it’ll make a difference.
For those of you who don’t know, today, May 17th, is International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia. Normally I would say, “Show your support today more than ever”, but that’s not how I feel. EVERY day you should show your support more than ever, because every day every human being deserves to be treated equally.
I feel like I did nothing but rant in this post, but it’s (only a small portion of) how I feel. I do hope, though, that this hop will help open peoples eyes and perspectives and help fight against homophobia and transphobia.
Click the image below to check out the other 160 participants posts, and learn what you can about the Hop Against Homophobia And Transphobia.
I agree we should show support everyday! Thank you for posting and for the chance to enter!
wendynjason04(at)gmail(dot)com
I’m glad you agree – everyday is the only way to go. 🙂
Good luck!
I try to show my support in any way I can. I joined the Icelandic LGBT organization in Iceland after last year’s hop (it was one of my pledges), as a supporter, and now I’m in their educational committee. I also politely/logically correct people and talk to people about LGBT, donate to LGBT charities, and show support online whenever I get the chance: Petitions, relaying messages and images, and of course writing books on homosexual men. This has become my main focus of support and will continue to be for the rest of my life. I’ve always hated discrimination and the things that a lot of LGBT people have to go through is a horrible form of injustice.
You are an amazing woman with all that you do. I, too, have always hated the discrimination, and I’m proud to be helping to make a difference.
Thank you for taking part in the hop! As long as we stand up for what’s right, the world can change one person at a time.
kimberlyFDR@yahoo.com
Well said! 🙂
I try to educate the kids when they use ‘thats so gay’ to describe anything – I seem to be winning as it doesnt get used as much – I try to get to think about how they would feel if they were hiding their sexuality because of crass comments
That’s great. I think one of our biggest contributions is to teach the next generation that it’s okay to be gay.
I think it’s the subtleties that have opened people’s eyes…people finding out they have gay friends/neighbors/acquaintances, and that they’re no different in the end.
vitajex(at)aol(dot)com
That is definitely the positive side to it, but it’s a shame that when some people find out they then stop being friends/acquaintances/and become rude neighbors. We can only hope for the brighter side.
I agree we should show support everyday! Thank you for posting and for the chance to enter!
parisfan_ca@yahoo.com
Glad you agree 🙂
Thank you for stopping by and good luck with the giveaway.
Sometimes a good rant is needed to keep your head on straight. If you can’t rant on your own blog, where can you!
Issa
cojazzchick AT yahoo DOT com
Ain’t it true!
I did feel a lot better after getting it all out 🙂
That was a great post. Everything that you said was right on. And i did not think it was a rant at all. Thanks for doing the hop!
Beth
JPadawan11@gmail.com
Thanks. It funny, I kind of wish I wasn’t right on, because then that would mean that the world was a safe and accepting place instead of how it is now.
Thank you for your great post. Thanks for participating in the blog hop!
Thank you! Hope you enjoyed my rant, lol!
Live and let live … such an old saying and still “in the making” … and ranting is just fine – it helps to clear the mind
Live and let live…. That is a excellent saying!
I have been doing the hopping from blog to blog. So many great posts. Thank you for joining in and the opportunity to win.
Thanks and good luck 🙂
How can anyone NOT rant against such blatant injustice and cruelty. My youngest child came out recently as Transgender Male. For 32 years I though I had a daughter then I discovered I had a son. I’ve done my part for spreading the word that love is love, regardless and will continue to do so! Thanks for participating!
Congrats to your son – hope he’s living happily! And an applause for you for your supporting him, if only every parent could be like you.
Why would anyone object to love in any form? I just don’t understand. Women vote now. African Americans can eat at Woolworth’s, though why we’d want to escapes me. Heteroprivilege is just wrong. But like legislated sexism and racism, it will end. Gotta start somewhere!
Well said! 🙂
Rant on Girl! Don’t get out much anymore but I do sign the petitions I get in my email.
Good for you 🙂 every bit helps!
An awesome post with everything I’ve been thinking. Thank you for expressing yourself and getting the world out.
humhumbum AT yahoo DOT com
You’re welcome. Thanks for hopping! 🙂
Thank you for participating in the Hop, I enjoyed your post.
peggy1984 (at) live (dot) com
Thank you 🙂
I agree. Always show your support. I’m an open book. People who know me know what I stand for, know what I believe. I am not one to push my beliefs on someone. I don’t preach or debate my beliefs, but I live them. I want people to see love and acceptance and equality through my life. So yes…always show your support…live what you support. 🙂
morris.crisssy@gmail.com
I know I’ve said ‘well said’ before, but again, WELL SAID! 🙂
Great post Jen. I can’t believe Australia is taking so long to legalise same sex marriage. Usually we are a forward thinking country, it’s a bit disappointing. I went to a beautiful ceremony a few weeks back that had to be referred to as a commitment ceremony 😦
But the main thing is that you went.
Someday this world will realize that love is simply love…no matter who it’s between.
Thank you so much for participating in the hop and sharing your post. It is true that we as a world have a long way to go to give everyone equal rights. But one day we will get there.
I sure hope so, and I hope that day comes sooner rather then later.
Such a powerful post, Jen, thanks so much for writing it. I don’t think you ranted at all…you passionately encouraged all of us to be more proactive in our support for the LGBTQ community. Changing attitudes doesn’t happen by just sitting around wishing things were different or complaining about outdated attitudes….it takes communication and commitment on all our parts to reach out to those in our communities who still don’t understand the importance of equality for all.
Thank you and you’re welcome!
Thanks for your heartfelt post and for being part of the hop.
strive4bst(At) yahoo(Dot) com
Thank you, and good luck. 🙂
Thanks for the post and hop.
Thank you and you’re welcome! 🙂
Thanks so much for sharing your post in this blog hop! Such an important subject. It wasn’t a rant, just some truth…
OceanAkers @ aol.com
You’re welcome!
I’m happy to be a part of this important matter with everybody else. It’s so great to see so many caring people taking part of this hop. 🙂
Thanks for sharing Jen, and for participating!
tiger-chick-1(at)hotmail(dot)com
Thank you, and you’re welcome. 🙂
Great post! Thank you for taking part in the hop!
sstrode at scrtc dot com
Thank you, and you’re welcome. 🙂
Good luck with the giveaway.
Thanks for participating in this great hop!
penumbrareads(at)gmail(dot)com
You’re welcome! I hope you enjoyed it. 🙂
And the winner is…….Jbst! Congratulations!
I will be emailing you shortly about your prize. 🙂