Well as you can see for the next ten days my blog is dedicated to this wonderful hop before I get too carried away I will ad the link to the Home page so you can go and find out who else is participating on this great Hop. I am only doing the one post for the whole ten days so that it doesn't get too confusing and yo don't have to look through past posts etc.
Well today is the International Day Against Homophobia & Transgender - follow their link below to find out more:
MY PRIZES & HOW TO GET THEM: I have on offer a gift certificate to Amazon for the amount of $10 and the choice of a book from my backlist. (Actually this prize is doubled as I have one for a person who just stops by and leaves a comment and if you join my followers list or tell me you're a follower then you go into the second draw as well).
SO WHAT'S IMPORTANT: 1) I need you to leave a comment. 2) I need you to tell me if you belong to my followers list. 3) Most importantly I need you to leave me your contact details so I know how to get in contact with you should you be the winner.
So now I get to ramble and talk about this topic in my own way... bear with me as I tend to just say whatever comes to mind.
To be honest I think phobia's of this kind are nothing more than another form of bullying. Don't get me wrong some people may have a legitimate phobia, but most are nothing but bullies. How do I feel about this, being a straight married woman I probably see it way different then someone who has to live with this bigotry aimed at them day in and day out. My greatest wish is that one day our children and their descendants will do away with phobia of this kind. I know I won't see it in my life time yet I have the greatest of faith our descendants will one day wake up and realise how wrong it is to hang onto old hatreds of this kind.
There is no need for this kind of behaviour in this day & age.
As a mother I have done what I can by teaching my own child that love is love no matter what form it comes in. Your heart can't help who it chooses to give itself to. I've noticed that even though my child is now 23 years old she is willing to step in and shut people down if they are picking on same sex couples - it's times like that I realise she is the greatest achievement in my life and I couldn't be more prouder of her.
I have great admiration for same sex couple and for transgender people because they have the courage to stand up and be who they are - and I have a message for you all: When you start to think the whole world is against you know there is one person standing in her part of Australia cheering you all on.
If people took the time to actually learn about the situation they are condemning with such hatred they would more than likely walk away with the same respect I have. I believe it is the lack of understanding which keep people seeing same sex love and transgender with such inexcusable fear and hate. My message to you who are unwilling to give up the hate: WAKE THE FUCK UP! Come on people, it's time to get real and see there is a whole lot of different kinds of normal than the narrow minded way you are looking at things.
Okay that is my ramble for the day and I apologise if I've said anything which offends anyone in any way. If you want a chance to claim a prize you know what to do.
I will announce both winners on: May 30th 2013
Australian Time
Gotta love Emily ^.^ She's a great girl.
ReplyDeleteI am a devoted follower ^.^
Erica
eripike at gmail dot com (as if you don't know that already!).
You are at the top of the list. I pick my winner by the age old adage of my mum picking a name out of the plastic container.
DeleteThanks for following this. My daughter suffers (she is also an amputee) enough without people saying nasty things to her. She is an amazing daughter.
ReplyDeletedebby236 at gmail dot com
let your daughter know I am cheering her on...
DeleteLong time follower.( sionedkla@gmail.com )
ReplyDeleteI could not have said it better luv!! And remember, just because you offend someone does not mean you are wrong ;)
Kassandra
Thank you...
DeleteShe sounds like a great person! :-) & she sounds like my family towards this kind of hate especially since my sister is gay & I'm glad my son doesn't know the difference between a guy loving a guy or a guy loving a girl its all the same to him.
ReplyDelete& I think I'm a follower if not I will be now ;-)
Deborah H
Deborahhansen52@yahoo.com
I believe you are one of my followers... and I like your sons way of thinking.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteAwesome
DeleteHi NJ! Thanks for being part of the hop. My son came out as transgender male last year right after the Hop. I supported it before and now I have even more reason to support the effort. I worry about prejudices he will face, but I also know I can't fight his battles for him. I am so incredibly proud of him. I'm not a follower, but will gladly correct that. Thank you, again, for supporting us.
ReplyDeleteLena Grey
Reviewer for Rainbow Book Reviews
lena.grey.iam@gmail.com
Just s you know I will be a silent cheer squad for your child as well - when life looks like there is no up - just know I will be here jumping up and down screaming:"Woo-hoo, way to go I am so proud of you."
DeleteHi N.J,
ReplyDeleteI am now a follower :D I so agree with your words "Wake the Fuck Up!" So many different types of people and we should be celebrating our diversity.
pantsoffreviews@live.ca
Exactly my friend - glad to see others have my way of thinking.
DeleteRaising our children not to be bigots is one step toward changing the world. I thank you. ~SM Johnson devante9901 at aol dot com. (I will become a follower now, thanks).
ReplyDeleteThank you - I believe we all have to do our part to stop the crap from being passed from generation to generation.
DeleteThank you for taking part in the hop! A great post indeed. I am also a follower on Google :)
ReplyDeletekimberlyFDR@yahoo.com
thank you for stopping by my friend.
DeleteI am happy to be a follower GFC Jenn and email j_crawford@alumni.clemson.edu . Thanks for hosting!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by Jennifer.
DeleteHi NJ! Great post. Just stopped by for a hug. : )
ReplyDeleteHugs back at ya babe.
DeleteThis is sure a wonderful blog hop and for an excellent cause. Of course I wish for a chance to win..lol. I would follow YOU anywhere where do you wish to go?? :)
ReplyDeleteCinders
crozzy67@nctv.com
Cinders, you are always welcome here.
Deletei follow via email and gfc!
ReplyDeleteand i do agree with you about waking the fuck up. i have learning disabilites and you wouldn't belive the mean things that have been tossed my way just because i am different
parisfan_ca@yahoo.com
I know how you feel - I don' have disabilities but I have people be weirded out by the way I dress and have them say shit about me.
DeleteI Follow you on Goodreads and Twitter - GFC doesn't work for me :(
ReplyDeleteThank you!
suzanne (AT) suzannevanrooyen (DOT) com
You totally rock.
DeleteI agree that ignorance is a huge part of the problem. I wish we could peer into future and see what it will be like when there is no stigma attached to gender and sexuality differences. I'm confident we'll get there one day. madisonparklove@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteI agree - one day it will come to pass where people will realise we are all created equal.
Delete"it's time to get real and see there is a whole lot of different kinds of normal than the narrow minded way you are looking at things." This.
ReplyDeleteThere is so much more to "normal" than people think. Truly...is there a normal?
I am a follower (Crissy M)
morris.crissy@gmail.com
I believe I am a whole different kind of normal because my motto is live and let live.
DeleteGreat post. I think that as more people come out and tell their stories, people will realize that gay and trans people aren't so different. Love the hop!
ReplyDeletevitajex(at)aol(dot)com
I hope you are correct - because people are people (cut us and we all bleed red).
DeleteThanks for your post! Isn't there a famous quote somewhere about not having accomplished anything in a day if you haven't ticked off at least two people? I am a follower on twitter and email.
ReplyDeleteemmasmom AT wi DOT rr DOT com
I piss off people all the time - but take me or leave me - as long as I like me - I'm doing okay.
DeleteI totally agree on the bullying thing. Great post, hon.
ReplyDeleteI follow ya. ;)
xo
K-lee
PS How do I get the damn reply button like you have after each post?? *tech challenged*
DeleteTo be honest I have no clue as mine was always there - I figured all blogs had them.
DeleteGreat post! It really is a form of bullying, isn't it? I'd never thought of it in those terms, but I think you're absolutely right. And I hope you're right about the human race overcoming this kind of behavior someday (hopefully soon, but probably not in our generation). I think with every generation we become more tolerant--but unfortunately the people who insist on hanging onto fear seem to clutch onto it even tighter as more people embrace tolerance. *sigh* Some day.
ReplyDeleteI just joined your followers list :)
thylacine.yawn@gmail.com
We can only hope some day the world sees sense.
DeleteHi - Just wanted to drop a comment to support a fellow author in this effort. Awareness, awareness, awareness!! Best, Andy
ReplyDeleteThank you for stopping by, Andy and you're right this is a good cause.
DeleteYou're a great parent! That's exactly what it's going to take to get us past the ongoing discrimination of every "ism" and the intersectionality of "isms" people endure each day.
ReplyDeleteAs a bisexual genderqueer person, I thank you for being an ally and for raising an ally!
My HAHAT contribution Writing From the Middle: BiVisibility & BiErasure
~Xakara
Xakara at Xakara dot com (and I don't think I'm on your followers list)
It was the way I was raised to believe people were people no matter what their lifestyle was.
DeleteI follow via gfc and email! Thank you for posting.
ReplyDeletewendynjason04(at)gmail(dot)com
Thank you for participating in the hop. Great article.
ReplyDeleteBeth
JPadawan11@gmail.com
Thank you for stopping by.
DeleteLuv'd how you stated your thoughts and feelings on this subject. It is amazing that in this day and age there is still such a phobia towards same sex relationships and people who are "different" (for lack of a better word). I, like you, don't think we, in this generation, will see this phobia eradicated but I, too, have hope for the next generation...
ReplyDeleteThanks for participating!
Also, I am a follower...
hugs ya,
jo
johannasnodgrass@yahoo.com
Thanks for taking the time to sop by, Jo, hopefully one day the world will get it right.
DeleteI Follow via Feed Burner & GFC.
ReplyDeleteI couldn't agree with you more. It hurts my heart that people have such closed minds. These are the world children, and as human beings the haters are not that bright as they seem to think they are. I believe in Karma...
Thank you for the the great post and being a part of the such an awesome blog hop for a the best cause of all...*S*
Darcy
pomma @akwolf.com
Thanks for stopping by and nice to here from you again.
DeleteI have raised my daughters to be very tolerant. My oldest has her BF who is gay and my middle is lesbian and my youngest loves everyone.
ReplyDeletedebby236 at gmail dot com
You sure have a great family.
DeleteI really appreciate this post and oh boy, isn't this the truth:
ReplyDelete"If people took the time to actually learn about the situation they are condemning with such hatred they would more than likely walk away with the same respect I have."
I'm a follower now :)
lisat131 at gmail dot com
I believe we never stop learning and to learn about a way of life that is not my own is a form of respect. thanks for stopping by.
DeleteGutsy lady, with a gutsy post. I like that!
ReplyDeleteAnd I'm a follower now.
jackl.pyke[@]gmail[.]com
I liked your post as well. thanks for stopping by and leaving me a comment and joining my folowers.
DeleteAwesome post, you really said all there need to be said for closed minded people. Thanks for taking part in the hop.
ReplyDeleteFollowing via email.
humhumbum AT yahoo DOT com
Thanks I have a tendency to say what on my mind as I'm posting so if I'm thinking it then more than likely you are hearing it (or reading it as the case may be).
DeleteSo many optimistic persons --- society will always find reasons to bully and yes homo/transphobia is well the actions that result from it are in my opinion a form of bullying / discriminating.
ReplyDeleteWell I'm not good at understanding people so I will just stick with what's worked so far - if they are nice to me I will be nice to them.
Oh and as you asked if I follow - no I don't I just came by for the hop I will put the "hop sites" in my bookmarks but I don't have the time to go through each site thoroughly if I want to visit some more. So following I will decide on that later, because I don't like to just be another dot in the statistics if I follow I follow and that takes time, the reading, commenting ....
Thanks you for stopping by.
DeleteWow, what a terrific post!
ReplyDeleteHere's to the day that we no longer have a need for a Hop Against Homophobia and Transphobia!
~Cody
Exactly, Cody. It may not happen in our life time but it will happen.
DeletePlease count me in. I am following you on google (I might of hit private though).
ReplyDeleteThanks
Karl
slats5663(at)shaw(dot)ca
No worries Karl, I have added you to both draws... thanks for stopping by.
DeleteYour post was great and thanks for doing the hop, I am now a follower.
ReplyDeletepeggy1984 (at) live (dot) com
Thank you for stopping by for a look-see.
DeleteGood job Mum. I, too, tried to raise my daughters to be tolerant and forward thinking and I think I got it right. Now I worry about my grandsons, especially when they have a narrow-minded idiot for a father but guess I will just have to hope my daughter passes on to them what I gave her. Oh yeah, I'm a follower.
ReplyDeleteI like to think of it as paying it forward - my mother taught it to me and I passed the wisdom of tolerance onto my kid.
DeleteFor the longest time - I actually cared how others saw me. In college I realized the only one I need to worry about and impress is Me. This is something I never could get my step-kids to understand. So every time I see a couple in love and not afraid to show it ( no matter the make-up of those in love) - I say more power to them! Thanks for supporting a great cause.
ReplyDeleteWcyndy@rocketmail.com
I'm the same way - I am who I am as long as I like e I don't care what others think...
DeleteAs someone who for a very long time lived my life in shadows thinking I could never be happy thank you. Thank you for your compassion and support for the lgbtq community and thank you for being the kind of parent that has taught their child that different is okay. <3 You Norma!
ReplyDeleteIt goes along with treat people how you would like to be treated in return...I think because she has seen me be friends with such I a diverse range of people that to Em everything is just normal.
DeleteAgree with what you said. Thanks for sharing the great post.
ReplyDeleteI have friends that are same in same sex relations, I personally feel that they are just like anyone else and they deserve to be treated equally.
Email following
BeckeyWhiteATgmailDOTcom
I believe they are just like everyone else as well. I'm just lucky I grew up in a family that was taught tolerance (not so much by my dad) but by my mum who is just awesome.
DeleteI agree with everything you said a great post. People are people and they should be allowed to love, marry and be who ever they want! (I'm new here I hope that's okay)
ReplyDeleteShirleyAnn@speakman40.freeserve.co.uk
You are exactly right... thanks for stopping by.
DeleteI don't think it could have been said any better than that. I always try to say an extra prayer for ANYONE that is different from his neighbor.
ReplyDeleteI love your work! ;). I'm also a follower.
Chris
ceagles48218@yahoo. com
Thank you and glad to see you back again.
DeleteI agree with you NJ, there's no excuse for such hatred in this day and age. Thanks for participating!
ReplyDeleteI'm a GFC follower as Emily.
tiger-chick-1(at)hotmail(dot)com
I am a big believer in "NO HATE". It has to stop.
DeleteOne of my top choices to fight this bullying is teaching kids early on that it's not acceptable. Now, yours may not be young and impressionable anymore, but that won't take away from the importance of what parents can do, and how far it can reach.
ReplyDeleteKisses, NJ. I've started a new blogroll, so you're going on it immediately.
~Pia
I was taught from a very young age that every one is normal so that's what I started teaching Em and her cousins from when they were young now yes they may have grown up but I know I have at least done my part in teaching the next generation... I think tolerance is one of the reasons I write the genre I do... and thankfully my family are proud of who I am and what I write so the tell absolutely everyone. Have I lost a few friends? Yes. Do I care? Hell NO!
DeleteI think that you touched on a really important issue in your post. Everything that you said was so true. Thank you for sharing and participating.
ReplyDeletesophiebonaste@gmail.com
Thank you for taking the time to stop by.
DeleteThanks so much for sharing your post in this blog hop! Such an important subject.
ReplyDeleteFollow GFC: OceanAkers
OceanAkers @ aol.com
Thank you for stopping by.
DeleteI've sent a request on Facebook, I'm more active on my Page & Wordpress than on here...
DeleteThanks for writing books for EVERYONE! Blackhippiechick@yahoo.com
Thank you for stopping by.
DeleteNew follower.
ReplyDeleteGfc: Courtney Renee
Thanks for the giveaway!
octoberbaby1990 at yahoo dot com
Thanks for stopping by.
DeleteThank you for this post, N.J. I really appreciate it! Also a follower.
ReplyDeletejarockauthor at gmail dot com
Thank you for taking the time to read my words.
DeleteI agree it's not a phobia because it's not a fear so much as a hatred.
ReplyDeleteI signed up to follow on GFC under Penumbra.
penumbrareads(at)gmail(dot)com
Exactly, my fried homophobia is bullying pure and simple.
DeleteI'm a GFC follower. enjoyed reading your blog post. I feel that some people can't accept others for who they are or accept changes. Some people just seem to need to start something just to start something. It's there life and choices so let them be.
ReplyDeletejessangil at gmail dot com
Exactly, I think they shout abuse and hatred because they like to hear themselves talk.
DeleteI'm simply digging HAHAT! I can't even comment on what I think about Homophobia and Transphobia, it just get me angry. And I'm pleased to say I'm now following you!
ReplyDeletecarolina.sbento@gmail.com
This is a great post. I agree with everything you said. I would add, though, that sometimes religion clouds people's judgment. There seems to be no way to argue against religion and convince religious people that they are wrong. I just recently had an all-night discussion with my brother about this very thing. I wouldn't call him homophobic - he accepts "other" people as they are and even agrees that they should be granted the same rights as everyone else. But he adamantly argues that it is a sin to act on homosexual feelings. There is nothing I could say to change his mind. *sigh*
ReplyDeleteI'm a new follower. :)
bloodandfires (at) yahoo (dot) com
To be honest I'm a Catholic (non-practising)but I think if the people actually read the bible properly they will find they're wrong - and they need to remember that the bible (all of them) were written by man and their perception of what all the God's wanted. No one actually has a copy of what God wrote in his own hand - so until they do then I am going to make up my own mind. So religion on this matter makes no never-mind to me.
DeleteAnd low and behold my next train of thought is for transgender people and their existence proves to me that even God gets it wrong at times.
On the transgender topic: I should clarify what I mean by 'gets it wrong' - as in putting the person into the wrong body - & NOT, that transgender people themselves are wrong.
DeleteHi! Thanks for being apart of this fantastic hop! Its sad how some people are. Im happy to say, im glad were all different! I think being brave enough to say you love someone, no matter the sex, is amazing! People should find there happiness. Who cares what others think. The only people that matter, are the ones in the relationship. Too many people in this world are simple minded. Thanks for sharing! Have a wonderful night!
ReplyDeleteshadowluvs2read(at)gmail(dot)com
I feel the same.
DeleteGreat post! Thank you for taking part in the hop!
ReplyDeleteGFC - Sherry S.
sstrode at scrtc dot com
Thank you for stopping by.
DeleteFabulous post, sweetheart. <3
ReplyDelete