Hop Against Homophobia
If you are reading you probably already know Homophobia & Transphobia is dangerous. To allow this prejudice to continue puts people at risk: our friends, our family, our kids. It needs to STOP!
What can you do? How can one person stand up against such massive insanity? Every little thing you do has an impact and can help make the world a better place.
1) Educate. Be a teacher: correct a negative comment or slur. Ensure your family and friends know you won't tolerate prejudice in any form. Teach your kids to value others regardless of their differences and to stand up for what's right. By promoting equality through your words, actions and deeds, you are setting an example. Educate yourself on stats so you are ready to defend your viewpoint and help 'evolve' other people's opinion.
2) Support businesses that stand up for equality. This is only a short list of a few major ones but there are lots of them. Vote with your dollars. You will be heard. Write to them and thank them for their support.
Target
Bud Light
Absolut
JC Penny
Starbucks
Kenneth Cole
Microsoft
Expedia
Levi's
American Apparel
Nike
Apple
American Airlines
Boeing
IBM
3) VOTE in elections. Write your representatives… tell them you want them to support gay rights and laws to protect everyone.
4) Support Organizations with agendas that promote equality.
On a personal note, I support PFLAG ((http://community.pflag.org/Page.aspx?pid=194&srcid=-2))
It is a wonderful group dedicated to advocacy and support of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender persons, their families and friends. I have been a member for almost a year and the people I have met have been some of the most inspiring, courageous individuals I've ever had the pleasure of knowing. I leave each meeting enriched and refreshed knowing the world is becoming a better place.
5) March in a Pride Parade… last year was my first. I volunteered and marched with two kids from my PFLAG group. It was an amazing and empowering experience (& I can't wait for the next one).
6) Wearing a rainbow anything gives hope and support to someone who may feel they are totally alone. I have gotten glares and grimaces to which I meet with sunny happy smiles. But I've had strangers talk to me or teenagers smile/nod in appreciation. Just letting people know there are people who believe in equality is important.
7) Writing happily ever afters for gay characters allow people to see the possibilities and hope. I watched a young woman change her opinion based on characters in a book. She went from completely being disrespectful to arguing with her family about how everyone should be treated equally regardless of who they loved.
This is a very short list of very simple things but they add up.
Sooooo, please tell me what you do day to day to fight homophobia… help me add to this list. What can we do to make the world a better and safer place for everyone?
*****I will be giving away three ebooks of Club Zombie: Zombies Ahead to enter just make a comment about what you are planning to do or have done to fight homophobia.***** I know it's on the erotic side of romance but I decided this book was appropriate because the main character, Kai utilizes a book telling the happily ever afters of the mated zombies to help him adjust to his own sexuality. I think many people have become more sensitive and caring about gay rights by reading gay romance.
Day Against Homophobia:
http://dayagainsthomophobia.org/
Main Page for the Hop Against Homophobia:
http://hopagainsthomophobia.blogspot.com.
Let's make every day against homophobia!!!
Hugs, Z.Allora
What I do is read, buy, review gay fiction. I have a gay fiction blog and I make gay fiction book trailers that are posted on You Tube. I post my reviews on FB, Amazon, Goodreads and Twitter. My health does not allow me to do the other activities.
ReplyDeleteRo
Ro,
DeleteThat's awesome!!!! Sounds like you are an awesome cheerleader for equality... go you!!!
Hugs, Z.
Thank you for breaking down some of the ways everyone can help. I shop at places that are openly queer-friendly, I promote bi-visibility and representation in my writing and join in actions like this one when my health allows. Most importantly, I speak up any and every time I can. It's only by refusing to be silenced that we'll ever be heard.
ReplyDeleteThanks for being a voice!
My HAHAT contribution: Writing From the Middle: BiVisibility & BiErasure
~Xakara
Xakara
Awesome!!! That's wonderful. Speaking up and refusing to be silenced... not always easy but you are affecting change just like Ro and so many others.
DeleteHugs, Z.
I read, I recommend books to readers, and I try to live like a good example. And nobody gets to use "gay" to mean bad without getting an earful!
ReplyDeleteWould you consider dropping the captcha for the event? It took me several tries to comment.
DeleteCryselle,
DeleteLiving as a good example makes a great impression. I bet you know how to give an earful.
Big hugs, Z.
Psst, what's a captcha? If it prevented you from posting that's bad... how do I stop it? (I don't understand the magical box I type on it... but please don't tell it...)
Thank you for taking part in the hop!
ReplyDeleteIn order to combat hatred, we must spread love. Educate others, bring awareness, because every person who has their mind opened is one person closer to a world where homophobia and transphobia doesn’t exist.
kimberlyFDR@yahoo.com
Kimberly,
DeleteThat is the truth. I swear if it takes one person at a time>>> I'm ready & so many others are too. So thank you for spreading the love.
Hugs, Z.
I write. I blog. I speak up when I see something that bothers me. Lately, I've been wrestling with whether I write "gay romance" (to make a more open statement about what I write in order to bring some attention to the genre and the people in my stories) or if I write "romance" (because romance is about two--or more--people falling in love; what difference does it make whether they're a man and a woman or two men or two women or whatever?) It's a tough question and I haven't answered it yet to my own satisfaction.
ReplyDelete~Helen
thylacine.yawn@gmail.com
Helen,
DeleteI understand struggling about the meaning of your writing. How it affects people? Is it making a positive impact or negative? I haven't answered my questions either but I need to keep writing as I'm pretty sure you do. Hugs, Z.
Babe, I had no clue you even had a blog - why didn't I know this? Awesome post by the way.
ReplyDeleteNJ my Aussy Queen... add to the list babe! Big hugs, z.
DeleteGreat list to help support the cause. I appreciated the list of companies and it is the one thing I never thought of doing but will now. Thank you for the opportunity to win and for participating in the hop.
ReplyDeleteCheers
Karl
slats5663(at)shaw(dot)ca
Voting with your dollars sends a big message. I'd rather people simply understand all humans deserve the same rights as everyone else but if hitting them in the pocketbooks helps more them to the light I'm all for it. Hugs, Z.
DeleteHey Z, great post! I love the suggestions.
ReplyDeleteThis is the first year my county is having a Pride event and it will also be the first year that I'll be involved in one - no isn't that convenient? I live in a very elderly, very conservative area... it should be fun ;)
I also have a M/M Romance blog and am supporting #HAHAT. I also really try to support authors who support youth lgbt organizations.
Plus, you bet I vote!
L :)
Lisa t,
DeleteAwesome! Pride events are amazing. I was sitting next to one of the teens watching kiddies in rainbow skirts dancing around to a beautiful lip synch queen. He nudged me, "Those kids aren't going to have to go through the same shit I did right? The world is going to be better when they're my age." I didn't cry (just barely). "That's why we're hear baby. To make the world a better place. The size of this Pride fest has doubled each year right? Means there's more people willing to stand strong and show support."
So yeah, Lisa... have a great time! Drink in the support and give it right back out to everyone around you. The circle grows and it does get better.
Hugs, Z.
Thank you for posting! I have marched in events and constantly pick up and wear rainbow items :-)
ReplyDeletewendynjason04 at gmail dot com
Wendy,
DeleteHey that's wonderful. I think it really makes a difference. It really is a way for someone to receive your support without even discussing it. You know...they know... you're connected and support equality.
Big Hugs, Z.
Hello My lovely Z
ReplyDeleteIt's great to see you blogging!
What do I do? hmm Lets see. I edit gay/trans fiction. I buy gay/trans books, esp ones donating to charities. I vote, I sign petitions, I bug the heck out of my local MP's. I don't shop where I know they don't believe in equality. My best friend in real life is trans. Incidentally she hates being lumped in with gay rights, as it's not a sexual preference,it's gender identity, nothing to do with who she sleeps with. My son's best friend is undergoing gender therapy, and we are doing our best to be there, and support her.(It's a bit spooky he's ended up with a trans best friend like me lol) We had a bit of good news last week, my friend received the news she had finally won the right to be legally a woman. She has had to battle for years so she could change her birth certificate, drivers licence etc, and also have the right to marry, as a woman. I hear wedding bells!
Hugs Val xxx
Val,
ReplyDeleteThat's fabulous news!!!!! I know you do a ton of wonderful things supporting people and equality... you totally ROCK! Thanks for taking the time to stop by I appreciate it & you!!! Hugs, Z.
I attend the Gay Pride Fest, Gay Pride Parade. Hey, I didn't know I could march in the parade! I took fabulous pictures last year...now that I know I can march, I intend to do so. I also listen intently to the kids handing out condoms at the festival. They need to know that matronly, dull looking people like me support their rights, and encourage their self expression-- their right to be themselves.
ReplyDeleteUrb
brendurbanist at gmail dot com
Urb,
DeleteYou are neither nor dull. You sparkle and are PRETTY by supporting the rights of others you totally ROCK!
I hope you've fbook friended me.
Hugs, Z.
Gay romances have definitely helped tolerance. If not with its content, then definitely with wider exposure and visibility. As you know, I write them myself and my books tend to focus on issues facing gay men. I also actively fight homophobia and support equal rights online in forms of petition signing, politely try to inform people on chat channels, share news and events, blog and, well, organize the HAHAT ^.^ I also take part in the Icelandic LGBT organization by stocking their library (with the help from my fellow m/m authors!), donating time and money and I volunteered to be in their educational committee (and am a member of that now). Aaaand I thoroughly clean out Target whenever I go to the USA :P
ReplyDeleteErica
eripike at gmail dot com
Erica/My Icelandic Princess,
DeleteYour stories are wonderful and so are you. Your efforts to bring equality and support to Iceland LGBT totally rock. You're impressive.
Big Hugs, Z.
I knew there was a reason I liked Target way better than Wallymart. Crap! watching a story on CNN right now about rise in gay bashing in NYC and saw one earlier about the half-assed Boy Scout vote. Not so good news. But I digress, I think my marching days are over. Walked blisters on my feet many times for the Equal Rights Amendment and for various political candidates and issues. Now I have to settle for signing petitions that come in my email from HRC and others. Can't work a phonebank anymore; my hearing is bad. Damn it is a major bummer getting old!
ReplyDeleteNancy,
DeleteI'm sure you touch people and show a lot of support which is invaluable to people desperate for a sign that's it's going to get better.
Big Hugs, Z.
Thank you for the informative post and suggestions. There were a lot of businesses that supported equality then I knew about. Really an awesome post, thanks for participating in the hop.
ReplyDeletehumhumbum AT yahoo DOT com
Humhumbum,
DeleteGlad you enjoyed it. I think voting with our dollars and at the polls are super important. It is making a difference we just need to keep moving forward. The tide is with us... just takes some people getting catch up in the undertow and dragging them to our direction lol..
Hugs, Z.
I review LGBTQ books and have learned an incredible amount of information and gained insight that most 'straight' people never have. I know I could do more and strive to try and find more ways to serve. Thanks for the post and support.
ReplyDeletelena.grey.iam@gmail.com
Lena,
DeleteI think that's awesome and truly important. I'm sure you share your knowledge... Educating others is key.
Hugs, Z.
Great post! I live in a small town and we don't have any kind of pride events but I tell everyone I know that everyone is equal and should have the sames rights. Thank you for taking part in the hop!
ReplyDeletesstrode at scrtc dot com
Sherry,
DeleteIt's so important for people to keep getting the message of equality out there. So thank you!!
Hugs, Z.
Great post! Thanks for the list...it's a great reminder of what we can all do to help. I buy, read, and review gay fiction, and I'm in the process of writing my first three books, all of which are gay romance/fiction. I have a blog where I concentrate solely on gay fiction and LGBTQ issues, and I supported HAHAT this year. I also try to keep up with LGBTQ news, sign petitions, support them by posting them on social media. I support NOH8 and The Trevor Project.
ReplyDeleteRecently, I became aware of the way that DOMA affects binational same-sex couples. I saw a video about an American man and a man from the UK who met, fell in love, and got married in New York. But because same-sex marriages aren't recognized by the gov't, he can only visit the US on a tourist visa for 90 days at a time before he has to go back to the UK. At the time of the video, they had been separated 17 times, and his latest request for a visa had been denied. Can you imagine not knowing when you would see your husband/wife again? Someone commented on the story that she was in the same situation. My heart broke for her and her wife so I commented back with a message of support. She later replied that it meant a lot to her. Sometimes all it takes is one little gesture.
bloodandfires (at) yahoo (dot) com
Jade,
DeleteIt's stories like that break my heart. But you were there to give a bit of support (HUGS) it means more than people think. Awesome that you reached out... that's really wonderful.
Hugs, Z.
Good post :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for participating in this great hop!
penumbrareads(at)gmail(dot)com
Dear Penumbra,
DeleteI was happy to have figure out my blog this year lol... I didn't have one last year. This hop is the reason I pushed passed my ignorance of the blogging world so I could participate.
Hugs, Z.
Thank you for the post.
ReplyDeletepeggy1984 at live dot com
Thanks a bunch for sharing and participating!
ReplyDeletetiger-chick-1(at)hotmail(dot)com
Dear Emily,
DeleteGlad to do it and glad you hop over.
Hugs, Z.
WOW!!!! Thank you everyone for hopping over. Now I must find a random spinner thing to see our 3 winners are.... I'll let you know here then I'll contact the winners.
ReplyDeleteEvery let's help make Homophobia & Transphobia extinct!
Big Hugs, Z.
Great post, darlin'. Hugs.
ReplyDelete