Thursday 17 May 2012

Hop Against Homophobia


HAH Blog Check out some other awesome participants.

My prize for stopping by is a $25 Gift Certificate for books.

Leave a comment (those in my Follower list will be entered again) if they also leave a comment along with you email address - Just let me know you are in both so that I don't miss adding your name again. or join my followers to be added the second time.

Yes homophobia is a big deal

To me homophobia, bullying, and no equality all mean the same thing it all starts with HOMOPHOBIA! And I have to ask myself why? Why can't people just mind their own business? Why do they need to discriminate against people just because they deem them to be different than what they consider normal? I am a big believer in the whole - "Cut us and we all bleed red." - Why does two people of the same sex loving each other cause people as a whole to think it okay to act like complete and utter idiots?

I just don't get it!!!

I don't understand how anyone can judge someone by who they choose to love. I hear a lot - "But the bible says..." Has it crossed anyone's mind that maybe the bible is wrong? I am a catholic, and even I see no shame in loving someone of the same sex. I personally believe as long as you are loving someone than everything will be okay in the world.

I guess you are wondering if I myself am gay?

No, I'm not, and I can't sit here and tell you how it feels to be at the brunt of a homophobic attack - because it would be guessing on my part. And no, I was never picked on or bullied growing up. But I have had friends who have been. I was there to pick them up and dust them off and help them find their centre again. So this is why I feel I should be allowed to comment on this subject.

Yesterday I was sent this YouTube Video and I know it is on equal rights for same sex couples, but in my eyes if one of the families hadn't been homophobic than none of this would have happened. WARNING! Tissues will be needed.



The words IT GETS BETTER don't mean anything unless we all band together and take that first step in setting things right. We need to all have our say - we need to be their for those who do have to suffer at the hands of homophobia. Join with me in trying to make the world a better place and say  -"you know what? I think today I will believe for just one moment that it really does get better"

If you are someone who is subject of homophobia - PLEASE - reach out to someone and let them know what is happening. There are People out willing to help as long as you reach out to them.



88 comments:

  1. Maybe one day the word homophobe will be something kids have to look up in the dictionary...because they'll have no clue what it means.......

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    1. We can only hope - I sure want to believe that you are right. it is only the people of today that teach the people of tomorrow how to act.

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  2. I am so with you darling as I have sons who have came to me and told me they are bi I think "L" may not be so much but "Z" is coming of age and finding himself. He is always called Fag at school I try and counter it but sometimes I think I fail. Thank you for doing this for any one who needs a hand and to know thay are not alone. And you know I so follow you.lol

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    1. Thank you and if you son needs an ear of a stranger to rant or just tak to you know I am available to you and your family.

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  3. Yeah I don't get it either. It always saddens me when people are mean and nasty because someone is gay. Just as a black woman I couldn't be a bigot, because all of the same reasoning's that it's bad to be gay the same people used it for black people. Plus I just think it's so wrong.
    (I'm in your followers)

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    1. Things like homophobia and bigotry always have me shaking my head in wonder. I have to think do these narrow minded people all live in Glass houses?

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  4. Many people have pointed out that the Bible really doesn't have anything to say about consensual same-sex relationships. And it's always amused me that Leviticus also calls eating shellfish an abomination, but most people aren't up in arms about that. Anyway, I'm straight and Catholic, but definitely think love is love, and there's not enough of it in the world for anyone to begrudge. Thanks for participating...

    vitajex(at)aol(dot)com

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  5. Thanks for posting NJ. It's nice to know that there are allies out there.

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    1. Thanks for stopping by Matthew. I am always here with an ear to listen and a shoulder to cry on.

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  6. Thank you for sharing this NJ....I too don't understand why we just cannot accept everyone no matter who they love. I hope that one day it won't matter and I am working my hardest to make that happen...raising my kids to know Love is Love no matter what. (hugs)
    (I'm also a follower :))

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    1. I was lucky, Mu mum taught me to be tolerant and I have passed it onto my child and even my nephews and nieces who will pass it on to their children. hopefully in one of the future generations this will be a thing of the past. I wish I could live long enough to see it happen.

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  7. People have been picking and choosing which parts of the Bible to accept and which to ignore for some time now, but it seems that this Presidential campaign is taking the Us against Them stance farther than it ever has before.

    When we trample on the civil rights of one group, the civil rights of others are soon to follow. I was at the barn yesterday, and a country music song came over the radio, touting the freedoms of living in America, and how that would always be the case.

    Um, no. Our civil rights are always up for grabs. It's not a battle fought once and set aside as won. We must keep paying attention, or someone *will* try to take them away.

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  8. Thank you for posting this. I am hopeful along with Embry that one day the words "homophobe" "homophobia," hell even the words "discrimination," "bigotry," and "hatred" will all have to be looked up because no one will know what they mean anymore. And like Matthew said, thank you for being an ally, for standing with those of us who are a part of the rainbow and for supporting and being a shoulder for those of us who need it.

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  9. Usually the people who say "But the bible says..." are cherry picking what fits their beliefs. It is very sad, but as long as we keep fighting and refusing to let it get swept under a rug, we can make a difference and change minds.

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    1. let hope that this is something which will make a start in that direction.

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    2. Dear NJ,
      Not tolerating where we see it or hear it... and getting the word out is the best offense... Promoting equality is all ways is essential.
      Your stories help bring people to the truth: LOVE IS LOVE. They also give hope to people who sometimes can't see their way past the horrors of today to a brighter tomorrow.
      So you rock totally for hopping against stupidity and ignorance!
      Big hugs,
      Z.

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    3. Thank you my friend... it is in times like this I want to give everyone a virtual hug - because getting the word out is so essential in our quest to right this stupidity.

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  10. Although we've seen great strides in the last 30 years, we still have a long way to go. Until all are equal, none are equal.

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    1. So true, But I am willing to take that first step in equal rights for all people. It is sad that we even need a day for the recognition of homophobia - here's hoping the future generations get it right.

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  11. Great post, sweetie. I have the same hope - one day the word homophobia won't exist.
    *hugs*
    K-lee

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    1. Hopefully one day we will all have the same rights. My mum said to me the other day and I had to agree... you never here of gay parents abusing their children - it is always the the straight parents on the news because of the horrific things they have done. I don't know what just made me think of that. Not that I am saying all straight parents are evil because we aren't. Okay I will shut up now.

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  12. Sing it sister!! I loved your post! I truly believe the slogan "It gets better" and know in my heart one day homophobia will no longer be in our vocabulary.

    *Hugs*

    Andi

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  13. I've seen the video yesterday on Kate Aron's page and I hope it will get better, it has to right? Someday at least. We did come a long way from criminal offence to finally having gay marriage(at least we have it in Germany) and adoption being allowed for gay couples as well. There is still homophobia but it's wasn't an issue for the gay students or teachers in my school, which is a start.

    emiliana25ATwebDOTde

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    1. I know we can make a difference - proudest day of my life was watching my Daughter (then 18) stand up for the rights of two gay teens for the right to kiss in a public mall, when other were abusing them. She told the crowd to grow up and get a life.

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  14. Forgot to add that I'm a follower as well :)

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    1. Sweet... I actually remembered your name.

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    2. Think I may have named a character after you in my blog story Jettermane.

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  15. Love your post NJ. Thanks for making this happen.

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    1. thank you my sweet, gotta start somewhere, sme of the post I have read have been amazing.

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  16. New follower here -- my husband and I are bisexual - I've been out since a teenager and really have had no problem... but I think that is because I am a woman.

    My beloved husband (to be) has recently come out as bisexual to a few choice friends and his adult children (very well received I might add) -- yet he longs for the day he can be completely free to be who he is.

    Currently, he still has to 'hide in the closet' because of fear -- fear that homophobia will affect his employment (don't want to send 20 years down the drain and YES, he could get fired on a morals account) -- fear that homophobia will affect his standing in the community (smack dab in the middle of Amish country -- very religious here), -- and fear of homophobia among the ignorant (meaning refused to learn) family members (like his brother)and some other long-term friends who will probably disown him when they find out...

    It doesn't matter what age we are - teens or at 90 years old... homophobia hurts. BUT it is getting better -- as my 50 year old husband wouldn't have dreamed coming out to ANYONE two years ago... I am very proud of my man!

    romancewiththeflemingtons.blogspot.com

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    1. Dawn - just give the hubs a huge hug from me and tell he has my support. I think I am lucking living in Australia as we are really the laid back country. I'm not saying that it doesn't happen but I have honestly in my adult life never come across it (as a teen yes) but my friends all knew my beliefs and knew not to be phobes around me or they would get an earful.

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  17. Thank you for the post NJ, it probably wont get better tomorrow or next month but I think with positiv campaigns peoples opinions and views might change. Of course the politic has to promote the equal rights and allow for equal right to marriage for that to happen.

    anzuazura at yahoo DOTde

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    1. I say we fire all the pollies and get in open minded people just to give the world a fair go.

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  18. What a wonderful post NJ. Along with others I hope that one day homophobia is a word that will be lost to all.

    I watched the video last week and could not get through it without crying, and getting mad.

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    1. I bawled my eyes out... saddest thing I ever saw... Shame on the family for denying him his rights as a life partner(and we all know I mean husband).

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  19. Love should always triumph over hate and I believe it always will :)

    KimberlyFDR
    kimberlyFDR@yahoo.com

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    1. It will indeed - I just wished love triumphed over dumbarse, narrow minded, bigotry.

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  20. I hope there will be time without prejudice and were all people are equal regardless of their sexuality, hopefully it wont take another century to reach this goal.

    GFC follower :)

    lyraDOTlucky7 gmail dot com

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    1. One day all this bullshit will be a thing of the past, a distant memory to bring shame on the future generations ancestors.

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  21. Thank you for the post NJ, and for taking part in this hop. I do believe it will get better. Though it will take a lot of love, support, and promotion of equality from all of us to make that happen. There is no excuse for not allowing another human being their basic human rights.

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    1. I so agree with this, now if we could just get the pollies and the churchies to see how fucked up their mentality is.

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  22. Great post!

    andreagrendahl AT gmail DOT com

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  23. thank you for sharing this with us today. I think this is an important cause that needs the spotlight shining on it.

    musings-of-a-bookworm@hotmail.co.uk

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  24. Hi NJ-- I always think it's interesting that so called Christians who follow a teacher who said nothing about homosexuality, decide they will believe a mysterious notation in an ancient book called Leviticus when they don't practice 9/10th of what is in the old testament. Talk about homophobia. It's assholic. Thanks so much for being in the hop. : )

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    1. thank you for stopping by - I am slowly making my way around all the other participants- and the stories have been amazing.

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  25. Hi NJ. Your video of Shane (watched it yesterday) struck me deeply and last night I lay thinking about him. No one should go through something like that. Showed it to my hubby and he was heartsore too. People can be so cruel. I am so glad that so many of us are standing together to let our voice be heard.
    vonalogan@gmail.com

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    1. I will scream it from the rooftops if I have too. The world needs to be bitch slapped into seeing things how they should be and not how the pollies, churches and society have screwed it all up by shoving every phobic thought down our throats.

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  26. I don't understand why so many people assume they have the right to restric the rights of others. Being different should never be a reason to hate someone!

    moonsurfer123ATgmailDOTcom

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  27. Wonderful post. This has been such a great hop, hearing everyone's story...

    vitajex(at)aol(dot)com

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    1. yes it has been a great hop - I have only made it through 100 so far but I lane on going through a heap more today.

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  28. The video breaks my heart. I can't imagine being forced to stay away from someone I love. I don't understand how hating someone for being gay helps the hater. I don't know if it helps them feel superior or what. I think it is so much easier to love people for who they are instead of trying to change them.

    geishasmom73 AT yahoo DOT com

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  29. 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

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  30. I've seen that video and I hurt for Shane. So much pain and Tom's family made it all worse.

    Thanks for participating in this great blog hop. I'm enjoying all the posts.

    penumbrareads(at)gmail(dot)com

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  31. My video program in my computer is kaput so I couldn't watch it but if it's anything like some of the stories I have read on this hop I would be sitting in a puddle of tears right now. I have to have hope that things will get better. Too bad there is no way to make those who really need to hear this to listen. Oh yeah, I'm a follower.

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    1. Thanks Nancy and yes I knew you were a follower. Hopefully this hop helps in some small measure.

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  32. Thanks for participating in the hop and for the great post! The video is heartbreaking, and I don't know why people hurt others so.

    pantsoffreviews@live(dot)ca

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    1. Because they are dumbarses... I think really people should fix their own lives before they try and fix what they deem wrong with someone else's life.

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  33. 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

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    1. What you are doing is a great thing keep up the great work - I believe it will be okay even if we can only change one mind at a time.

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  34. Very well said. I am not gay either, so can't relate in that respect, but I truly support equality for everyone and not just the majority.

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    1. Exactly - God (no matter which one or denomination) loves all people not just the straight people.

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  35. Thanks for the great giveaway and the great post

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  36. Good post NJ!
    Uhm, I have a question about your stories, My Knight In Tarnished Armour or Living In Shadows, seem to be finished but there is no blurb about them or when they will come out, so are they going to be published?

    Jibriel dot O at web dot de

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    1. Jibriel, they are finished My Knight in Tarnished armour is getting a last look through as I have a bad case of head hopping going on with it and Living in shadows is the second book in The Lines of Marsden Series. The first book Rules Are Meant To Be Broken is being released on June First and book two starts six months after book one ends. I am waiting to see peoples reactions to see if I need to add anything extra to the story line. sometimes readers will want to know more about something and if I can add it I will. but I will come up with some rough blurbs for both and add them to the appropriate pages.

      thank you for the interest.

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  37. VERY well said. You're right, things don't happen unless people stand up and do something.

    Erica

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  38. Thanks so much for the post and video, sad that things like that happen still.
    OceanAkers@aol.com

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    1. They do, and it breaks my heart a little more every day.

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  39. Great post Norma. We can only hope it does get better soon. It would be so wonderful if homophobia could be as outdated to the next generation as racial segregation is to ours. Widespread change like that takes time, but I think we are getting there. I would be so proud to see it happen in my lifetime. I watched the 'It Could Happen To You' video last week and it broke my heart. How can people do that to their children? It's very, very sad.
    Lavinia x

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    1. Thanks Lavinia you had an awesome post too. I am at the point where I will now stop people in their tracts for any sort of hate, whether it be against Gays, religion, or race etc. I don't see the need for it and I refuse to listen to it.

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  40. Thank you for your post. You asked "you are wondering if I myself am gay?" and it made me think of one of the more subtle manifestation of homophobia: people assuming that if you support GLBTQ cause you must be gay/lesbian/bi yourself. I remember the first Gay Pride parade in my university town few years ago. I was there with my friends, was caught by some cameraman on the film and was in the local TV news. Boy, I got second-hand experience of homophobia then.

    Joan
    0401romance(at)gmail(dot)com
    + extra entry for following

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    1. It's so crazy at times. I am a big advocate for (in the words of the Beatles - I think Paul) Let it Be. Just because I don't walk in their footsteps doesn't mean I can't be their to support them when needed.

      It takes one voice to say - "No matter what, I still love you anyway."

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  41. thanks for sharing with us, its amazing all the great posts I've been reading the last couple of days thanks to this hop. I have spent more time on the internet in the last few days then I usually do in a month. I can't seem to tear myself away.

    burchills AT gmail DOT com

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    1. Me too I still have about sixty to get through before I have visited them all. but they have been amazing.

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    2. You guys did great!!!! BIG HUGS, Z.

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  42. Hello N. J.,

    Thank you so much in Hosting this Great Hop with Erica Pike & K-lee Klein, I am truly Amazed the number of Extremely Talented Authors that have gathered for such a well-needed Cause, the Hop Against Homophobia.

    I have watching the video & it is truly heartbreaking. I believe everyone deserves to be Openly Happy in Life, to be with the Person who Loves & Completes Them, without having to be subjected to the ignorance of some close-minded people. True Love does not see Race, Gender, Socio-Economic Status, etc….if people understood that, there would be so much more Happiness in this World….We Could Hope, Right???

    I would very much appreciate the opportunity to be considered in your very generous giveaway for a chance to win a $25 Gift Certificate for books. I am a long time GFC Follower under my name: PaParanormalFan & Follow your Blog via email paranormalromancefan@yahoo.com.

    Take care N. J. & Best Wishes to You,
    PaParanormalFan Renee
    paranormalromancefan at yahoo dot com

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    1. Thank you, I will be drawing my Winner out in the morning Good luck to all who entered.

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  43. Thank you for the post. I have loved this hop, it is such a great cause.

    peggy1984@live.com

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