Friday, May 16, 2014

Hop Against Homophobia and Transphobia Giveaway




Hey, all! My thanks to everyone who's stopping by here today. For my giveaway prize, I'm offering up winner's choice of a title from my backlist in ebook. To be entered in my giveaway, just leave a comment on this post with an email address where I can reach you. And do be sure to stop by all the other great blogs taking part in this event!

I'm very happy and proud to be taking part in another "Hop Against Homophobia and Transphobia." This blog hop is in honor the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia. On May 17th, people from all over the world band together to spread messages of support, care, and awareness to put an end to discrimination toward people for their sexuality and gender identity.

If you've read any of my work, you know I'm all about positivity and that's what I want this post to be about. And really, it's one of the things I love about this particular hop. The authors, the readers, the reviewers, the publishers, the cover artists...everyone who takes part is doing so because they care about LGBT issues. Writing, reading, reviewing gay romance, it's about more than those steamy scenes between two men. It's about acceptance. It's about support. It's about compassion. It's about love, in all its forms, from the warmth of friendship to heated passion. It's about bringing all of those things into real life.

When I think back to how things were when I was younger, even only nine years ago when I first started writing gay romance in 2005, the world has changed so much and I'm happy to say, for the better. It hasn't been an easy change. Far from it. There's been much pain, heartache, and most tragically, victims whose lives have been lost in the fight for equality.

The changes started slow and really, still doesn't seem to be happening fast enough at times, but in the most recent years, the equality has gained so much momentum where I know, it can never be stopped. Every year, more States in the United States vote for marriage equality, same as nations around the world. Celebrities and athletes who come out receive more messages of support than scorn and stand as proud role models. More young people find defenders against bullies. And more allies join the fight for everyone to have the right to love who they're meant to love.

Is there still more work to be done? Absolutely. But sometimes it's good to pause and look back on the accomplishments and changes that have been made. It gives hope and strength to continue standing strong for your beliefs, what you know is right, and to keep moving forward. And I don't have a doubt the equality movement WILL keep moving forward. There's too much force behind it. There will be times where its met with resistance and sadly, there will always be those who try to push back progress and spit out hateful words. That's why all of us who understand that no person should ever be denied rights freely given to others need to push back harder and speak out against discrimination for the shameful thing that it is.

For all those fighting the good fight, remain tenacious. Remain strong. Combat discrimination with pride, ugliness with beauty, hate with love. And most importantly, know you're never alone.


  

30 comments:

  1. I am proud to be a part of this blog hop too, just like you. My writings are also all about positivity. How similar we are!

    Loved your ending. " Combat discrimination with pride, ugliness with beauty, hate with love. And most importantly, know you're never alone."

    ladyunwritten[AT]gmail[DOT]com

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  2. please count me in

    leetee2007@hotmail.com

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  3. Great post! Just keep hoping and loving!
    aegger.echo @ yahoo .com

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  4. This is very moving for me. Just lost my sister who was a lesbian. I miss her so much. No matter what people said to her about being with someone of the same sex she proudly held her head up. She was a great inspiration to all of us. This is a wonderful blog post and hop <3
    kittyissweet@gmail.com

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  5. As usual, well written. I too loved the tagline at the end. I want to thank you personally for the amazing works you create, and the endless toil you undertake to make this world a more beautiful, tolerant, and equal place via the books you create. Thank you, SJ.

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  6. Your last line is the one I feel the strongest about, I think. I think that is one of the most important messages we need to get out there. And things like this blog hop are always a good thing.

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  7. Great post! Thank you for being part of thus wonderful blog hop. It's been amazing the amount of change recently; it is something to celebrate. But you're also right that there is more to be done. These types of events are great for spreading the word.

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  8. Great post. I love your work. :)

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  9. I'm a huge fan of yours - loved your post and this Blog Hop. So many stories being told, so many messages being shared, so many lessons to learn. We have come a long way but have so much farther yet to go. I'm so proud to be part of this amazing m/m community.

    lgrant1@san.rr.com

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  10. Great post & giveaway.
    rockybatt@gmail.com

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  11. Geat post. Never read anything by you before but have your books on my wishlist. Thank you for the giveaway.

    marsh10(at)netzero(dot)com

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  12. Wonderful post! Thank you for being a part of this blog hop! :3
    arella3173_loveless@yahoo(dot)com

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  13. Thanks for participating in the hop :)

    penumbrareads(at)gmail(dot)com

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  14. Great post! Thanks for all the wonderful stories you write. Let's hope that all these positive changes keep coming.

    lkbherring64(at)gmail(dot)com

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  15. Great blog post. I love reading your books :)
    geetracy1170 (at) gmail (dot) com

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  16. Thanks so much for participating!

    vitajex(at)Aol(Dot)com

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  17. Love your post!
    shayla.mist@gmail.com

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  18. Thanks for post and hop.
    cvsimpkins@msn.com

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  19. Thanks for your post and for being part of the hop.
    strive4bst(AT) yahoo(Dot) com

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  20. Thanks for your post and thanks for all your stories.

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  21. Wonderful post and thank you for the giveaway.

    humhmbum AT yahoo DOT com

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  22. Thanks for being a part of the hop!!
    raynman1979(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  23. Nice of you to share and participate

    bn100candg at hotmail dot com

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  24. There's always much work to be done, and we'll never finish. Still, it's nice to take a moment to appreciate how far we've come. :)

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  25. Thanks for the post and giveaway.

    MHupp20032003(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  26. Great post, yes we have come so far and hopefully in the future things will be even better.

    ShirleyAnn(at)speakman40(dot)freeserve(dot)co(dot)uk

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  27. Thank you for participating!
    OceanAkers @ aol.com

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  28. Thanks for posting and for the chance to enter! I love your work! wendynjason04@gmail.com

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  29. I enjoyed your post. Thanks for being part of the hop.
    sstrode at scrtc dot com

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