Thursday, May 17, 2012

Hop Against Homophobia




As I'm a bit older than a lot of folks participating in the Hop Against Homophobia, I'm taking a historical look at predjudices in the US's not so distant history.
In 1967, about 72% were opposed to interracial marriage and 48% felt that marrying a person of another race should be prosecuted as a criminal act.Sean Robert Cahill, "Same-sex marriage in the United States: Focus on the facts," Lexington Books, (2004), Page 12.
Althought federal law changed in 1967, my sister's 1977 marriage was deemed illegal  -- interracial marriage was against state law. That law remained on the books until 1998 (can you believe it?), though it (thankfully) wasn't applied. Her family faced riducule and desertion by friends. So many people I talk to did not know about the illegality of interracial marriage during that time in our history, for no one bats an eye at it today. Thankfully, that law crumbled and fell, as should any law that denies a citizen their basic rights. In the future, the same will be said of marriage inequality laws, bullying, and homophobia in general. I simply do not understand the arguments that prop up ill-concealed attempts to destroy human rights, or how anyone can blindly hate or bring harm to another simply because they're different.

I'm a student of human nature, and see the pattern of how each generation repeats the mistakes of the one gone before. For some reason, folks feel the need to push down another group to make themselves look better. Anyone remember what N.I.N.A stood for? It meant "No Irish Need Apply." Yes, at one time, the Irish were the group to be discriminated against. Then Italians. I wonder what criticism my Native American great-grandmother endured when she married a "white man." One by one, those prejudices weakened and disappeared. When are we going to stop applying labels to each other? We're people, dammit. 'Nuff said.

Now, I'm not college educated, don't have degrees to brag about, hell -- I live in the trailer park for crying out loud. But I do know that judging a person based on anything other than who they actually are is dumb. Right now shunning someone for being from Ireland seems ridiculous, doesn't it, in this great melting pot of the USA where most folks can claim many nationalities among their ancestors? Yet it happened, and not too terribly long ago.

Now in 2012 my friends can't legally marry. In thirty years, if it takes that long (hopefully not), the current homophobia and prejudice will seem just as absurd a the country's previous biases. Our descendants will feel shame when they see pictures in history books of folks bearing hate-slogan banners. Why not discriminate against blue eyes, or brown hair? Overbites? Freckles? Of course, left handers were once targets of bias, too. 


We are each who and how we were meant to be. If you find that special someone who makes your world a better place, regardless of race, religion, gender, or crazy relatives, hang on for dear life. If we all focus on love we won't have time to hate. You don't have to carry signs or scream in anger, just quietly lead by example. One by one we can make a difference by setting a positive example, in our homes, schools, and workplaces. Do not tolerate bigotry or turn a blind eye to injustice. 

****

Visitors to my site, welcome to the Hop Against Homophobia. Below are other participants that I hope you'll visit in support of ending homophobia and predjudice for good. If you look on the right sidebar, you'll see several free reads that I offer; all I ask is that by downloading you're confirming that you're over eighteen. The Telling is a full-length novel; the rest are shorter works. All comments on this post from today until midnight EST May 20 will get your name in the drawing for a print copy of one book of your choice: The Angel of 13th Street, Settling the Score, or Diversion. You can ask for my latest release, Fallen Angel, but you might have to wait a few days until I can get my hands on a copy. Thank you, and let's all be a little kinder to each other, okay? Now why don't you go visit these nice folks, register for prizes, and show your support for ending homophobia.

1. Erica Pike  78. L. A. Witt  155. Randy's Book Bag Reviews  2. K-Lee Klein  79. Sui Lynn  156. Becky Condit  3. Zathyn Priest  80. RANDALL WIGGINS  157. Jessica Lee  4. Andi Anderson  81. Haley Walsh  158. M.L. Rhodes  5. Kayla Jameth  82. Nephylim  159. Amanda Corlies  6. Dani Alexander  83. Marie Sexton  160. A.M. Burns  7. S.J. Frost  84. Kayelle Allen  161. Sue K.  8. Tara Lain  85. Anne Barwell  162. Angela S. Stone  9. West Thornhill  86. SJD Peterson  163. Amber Quill Press LLC  10. Vicktor Alexander  87. Rick R. Reed  164. Elin Gregory  11. L.M. Brown  88. Kracken  165. Rowan McBride  12. Embry Carlysle  89. Erato  166. Marie Dees  13. Michael Mandrake  90. H.L. Holston  167. B.G. Thomas  14. Lori Toland  91. Johnny Miles  168. Lissa Matthews  15. Carolyn Gray  92. H.A Caine  169. Jessie Lansdel  16. Diana DeRicci  93. Kit Sands  170. Barbara Elsborg  17. J P Bowie  94. Andrea Speed  171. Katey Hawthorne  18. Lily Sawyer  95. AJ Jarrett  172. JL Merrow  19. Kerry Freeman  96. S. L. Danielson  173. DARK HAVEN BOOK REVIEWS  20. Kaje Harper  97. Blaine D. Arden  174. Full Moon Bites  21. Shae Connor  98. Anne Brooke  175. Zahra Owens  22. L.C. Chase  99. Em Woods  176. Caroline Stephens  23. Piper Vaughn & M.J. O'Shea  100. Karenna Colcroft  177. J.A. Rock  24. Zach Sweets  101. Stevie Woods  178. Hunter Raines  25. Charlie Cochet  102. Jambrea Jo Jones  179. Stormy Glenn  26. Jaime Samms  103. Tana  180. Sue Roebuck  27. Taylor V. Donovan & Anne Tenino  104. TanaRaeReads  181. Makayla's Book Reviews  28. DC Juris  105. William Neale  182. Evelyn Shepherd  29. Top2Bottom Reviews  106. S.A. Reid  183. J.R. Loveless  30. Silvia Violet  107. Cherie Noel  184. Kate Hill  31. Sara York  108. Dustin Adrian Rhodes  185. Saloni Quinby  32. Pants Off Reviews  109. Havan Fellows  186. The Jeep Diva  33. Dawn Roberto  110. Tami Veldura  187. The Story Orgy  34. Matthew  111. PD Singer  188. Miho Li  35. Storm Moon Press  112. Well Read  189. Harper Kingsley  36. S.L. Armstrong  113. Brief Encounters Reviews  190. Breathless Press  37. Jessica Freely  114. Rarely Dusty Books  191. Z.A. Maxfield  38. Sue Brown  115. Ally Blue  192. Viki Lyn  39. Megan Derr  116. Elizabeth Lister  193. L.E. Harner  40. Samantha Derr  117. K.M. Mahoney  194. CR Guiliano  41. Sasha L. Miller  118. H.B. Pattskyn  195. Erastes  42. Less Than Three Press  119. Stephani Hecht  196. Speak Its Name  43. Hayley B. James  120. Connor Wright  197. L. J. LaBarthe  44. Dakota Trace  121. Devon Rhodes  198. MLR Press, LLC  45. Kharisma Rhayne  122. Louisa Bacio  199. Laura Baumbach  46. No Boundaries Press  123. Dianne Hartsock  200. Sean Michael  47. Angel Martinez  124. Cryselle's Bookshelf  201. A T Weaver  48. Simply Erotic Reviews  125. Dawn K. Johnson  202. Lou Sylvre  49. Missy Welsh  126. Eden Winters  203. A.J. Marcus  50. Sessha Batto  127. Avril Ashton  204. Daisy Harris  51. Joyfully Jay  128. K.Z. Snow  205. Lara Brukz  52. amy lane  129. Keta Diablo, Author  206. Turning The Pages  53. Kathleen Hayes  130. Guilty Pleasures Book Reviews  207. Holsum College Tumblr  54. Arshad Ahsanuddin  131. MA Church  208. Sex Scheming Geniuses  55. Andrew Grey  132. Sloan Parker  209. Riverina Romantics (INT)  56. Kari Gregg  133. Books Make Me Happy  210. Bella Leone  57. Marguerite Labbe  134. Guilty Indulgence Review Site  211. Tyler Robbins  58. Ariel Tachna  135. Matt and Brad  212. Sasha Conte  59. Xara X. Xanakas  136. Blackraven Erotic Cafe  213. Violet Hilton  60. B. Snow  137. Blackravens Reviews  214. Ryan Loveless  61. Mary Calmes  138. AJ's Reading Nook  215. Brenda Cothern Books  62. J. P. Barnaby  139. Dark Divas Reviews  216. The Romance Reviews  63. Ellis Carrington  140. The Readers Roundtable After Dark  217. Tam Ames  64. Dreamspinner Press  141. Barry Brennessel  218. Kendall McKenna  65. T.A. Chase  142. Occasional Musings n Ramblings  219. Under the Covers Book Blog  66. Lavinia Lewis  143. Lydia Nyx  220. Ranae Rose  67. Elizabeth Noble  144. Alex Kidwell & Robin Saxon  221. The Book Bunnies  68. KC Burn  145. BA Tortuga  222. Kirby Crow  69. Brita Addams  146. Megan Slayer  223. krissy  70. Riptide Publishing  147. Kathy's Library  224. Charlie Cochrane  71. TWLIB Reviews  148. Suzanne van Rooyen  225. J. Lannan  72. Rachel Haimowitz  149. Hearts On Fire Reviews  226. Leontine's Book Realm  73. Rhianon Etzweiler  150. Nastasha LaBrake  227. Shadow Sterling  74. Scarlet Hyacinth  151. NJ Nielsen  228. Dilo Keith  75. Julie Lynn Hayes  152. Kerry Sullivan  229. Sui Lynn  76. Kalita Kasar  153. Andi Lea  230. Lisabet Sarai  77. Poppy Dennison  154. Anna Lee  231. Caitlin Ricci  



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47 comments:

  1. Anne BrookeMay 17, 2012 at 12:22 AM

    That's fascinating, Eden - I didn't know that. Thanks for a great article.

    Anne
    xxx

    albrookeATmeDOTcom

    ReplyDelete
  2. Zathyn PriestMay 17, 2012 at 12:29 AM

    My husband's gay and Irish... They'd have really hated us back in the N.I.N.A days! Great post, Eden :^)

    ReplyDelete
  3. Andi AndersonMay 17, 2012 at 12:57 AM

    Thanks for sharing all the information. I've definitely learned something today. Great post!!

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  4. Eden WintersMay 17, 2012 at 1:04 AM

    Thanks, ya'll. Bigotry is a vicious cycle that needs to stop.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Mary CalmesMay 17, 2012 at 1:15 AM

    Fantastic post and I love the name of this blog, just really. :)

    ReplyDelete
  6. Eden WintersMay 17, 2012 at 1:27 AM

    Thanks. And the blog name came from when a neighbor shot my house and I found myself on the receiving end of some "you might be a redneck" jokes. But it suits. I'm a very simple-living country girl.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Emiliana25May 17, 2012 at 1:32 AM

    Good post Eden, I actually write a paper about N.I.N.A and it's fascinating that some people are still denying that and write that it's mythos.
    I hope you are right with your assesment Eden, but truly I'm not sure it will be so, people always find something new to discriminate against and the church is not really helping matters, while it wasn't as much an issue for the other groups you mentioned.
    Also I hope with Obama's new stand at least there will be improvement in the equal rights department!

    emiliana25ATwebDOTde

    ReplyDelete
  8. Eden WintersMay 17, 2012 at 1:44 AM

    Thanks for stopping by, Emiliana! Some churches are coming around, and I know quite a few Christians that read and write GLBT literature, but you're right. Too many people use the Bible to forward their own agendas.

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  9. ChrisMay 17, 2012 at 5:24 AM

    1998?!?!? Ack. I have to hope that things improve a bit more quickly for same-sex couples.

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  10. Vicktor AlexanderMay 17, 2012 at 5:37 AM

    Great post Eden. Thank you so much for sharing. I can remember the first time I heard about interracial marriages being illegal, I was so shocked, especially being predominantly black and always dating someone of a different race. The fact that I'm a black gay man whose marriage to his partner still won't be considered legal unless we go to a certain states is still upsetting to me. Thank you for pointing out that this discrimination against others has been going on for quite some time. Let's hope that we have enough people standing up against homophobia and other discriminations that it won't be an issue for too much longer.


    -Vic
    vicktorabailey@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  11. TamMay 17, 2012 at 5:56 AM

    Nice post Eden. Like Chris I'm shocked by that date. That's why I don't understand referendums on such issues because just because the majority wants something, that doesn't make it right. Governments and lawmakers have to show people what is right, not just do whatever they are told with no regard to whether it's the right thing. Imagine the wacky laws if we just put everything to a vote? Great job and I'm glad your sister is all legal now. :-)

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  12. Debra GMay 17, 2012 at 7:34 AM

    Great post Eden! I'm happy to see so many blogs participating.

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  13. Tami B.May 17, 2012 at 7:41 AM

    Wow- 30 years to change Federal law-it just doesn't make sense at times. Let's hope that it doesn't take 30 more years to realize that all people all equal. tb-kindle@hotmail.com

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  14. ColeMay 17, 2012 at 9:26 AM

    What a beautiful post sweetie! I know we're from different states, but I do feel like we come from the same ilk, the same ken and the same type of community! So it's always nice to meet someone or make a friend that is so strongly passionate about letting people live the life they were born to live, especially in the south! xo

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  15. Lana AMay 17, 2012 at 10:00 AM

    Great post Eden, I cannot say I'm shocked by the date(history student) but it's somewhat depressing how long it took. Let's hope that the society progressed and that it wont take as long for gay marriage and equal rights to become reality!

    anzuazura at yahoo dot de

    ReplyDelete
  16. DannyfiredragonMay 17, 2012 at 11:04 AM

    Really good posting. Thanks for being part in this hop

    dannyfiredragon@aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  17. Charlie CochetMay 17, 2012 at 11:55 AM

    Thank you so much for sharing, Eden! Like you, I believe that we will get to a point where homophobia will be a thing of the past. Unfortunately, we still have some way to go. Equality is something that everyone deserves and no one has the right to pick and choose who receives it. Wonderful post. Thank you.


    authorcharliecochet@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  18. AndreaMay 17, 2012 at 11:58 AM

    I'm in shock over the 1998 thing too!!! Let's hope change comes around a bit more swiftly.

    andreagrendahl AT gmail DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  19. WadeMay 17, 2012 at 12:37 PM

    Thank you for the history lesson. I am bad at it and forget where we came from and how far we haven't gotten ;)
    Thank you for also posting the other people in the group! I'm # 243 Wade Kelly

    :)

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  20. CorneliaMay 17, 2012 at 1:14 PM

    Thanks for the great post,how soon we forget previous struggles.This is a reminder that justice is for all.
    cvsimpkins@msn.com

    ReplyDelete
  21. Eden WintersMay 17, 2012 at 3:34 PM

    Thanks for stopping by, ya'll!

    I wonder if people realize how much easier life would be if we just all got along.

    ReplyDelete
  22. laurieMay 17, 2012 at 3:36 PM

    its' amazing how we as humans will continuously repeat history

    parisfan_ca@yahoo.com

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  23. Eden WintersMay 17, 2012 at 4:03 PM

    Yeah, we don't seem to learn, do we?

    ReplyDelete
  24. Alix BekinsMay 17, 2012 at 5:38 PM

    *applause* As a student of history, my perspective is that yes, we sadly do keep making the same mistakes. But like a pendulum, we swing more and more to the side of equality each time. I have faith that we'll get there eventually. :)

    ReplyDelete
  25. kayteeMay 17, 2012 at 6:49 PM

    I think we do learn, just a little slowly - I have hope - if we can keep the dialogue going - and keep it reasonable change can happen. We just have to keep working at it.

    ReplyDelete
  26. N.J. Nielsen/ SaddingtonMay 17, 2012 at 7:44 PM

    Thank you for a very informative post and thank you for taking part in this hop. One day things will hopefully get better.

    normanielsen@bigpond.com

    ReplyDelete
  27. AnonymousMay 17, 2012 at 8:47 PM

    Excellent post. How soon we all forget...

    vitajex(at)aol(dot)com

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  28. AnonymousMay 17, 2012 at 11:53 PM

    Amazing. As you said, We're All People
    Suze
    Littlesuze@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  29. Eden WintersMay 18, 2012 at 2:29 AM

    Thanks, ya'll. I read a quote this morning that I think pretty much sums up homophobia: “The highest form of ignorance is when you reject something you don’t know anything about.” Wayne Dyer

    ReplyDelete
  30. AnasMay 18, 2012 at 7:06 AM

    Great quote Eden, it really sums it up. Just think what humanity might have achieved if it didn't put so much effort into hate campaigns.

    moonsurfer123ATgmailDOTcom

    ReplyDelete
  31. JenMay 18, 2012 at 9:46 AM

    Thanks for the informative post, I can't believe that law remained until 1998! Hopefully it won't take long for homophobia to be a thing of the past.

    ineedtoread76 [at] gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  32. R.B.May 18, 2012 at 12:04 PM

    Great post Eden, greeting from Czech Republic :-)

    radka.bart (at) gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  33. YvetteMay 18, 2012 at 1:06 PM

    Thanks for the post!
    Yvette
    yratpatrol@aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  34. EmilyMay 18, 2012 at 1:40 PM

    Thanks for bringing up such a valid point. I did a speech recently arguing for gay marriage to be legal and I brought up this point about interracial marriages. Out of my entire class of 25, only one person knew about this. For all those naysayers out there who argue against gay rights and change, I point out the good change brings. If there was no change, we'd still have slaves. Women wouldn't be able to vote, work outside the home, or do anywhere near the things we can do today. Thanks again for sharing.

    tiger-chick-1(at)hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  35. BMay 18, 2012 at 8:46 PM

    Well said Eden!!! Thank you for participating in the hop and I hope, as you, that we'll see this inequality crumble sooner rather than later.
    :)
    Bella
    bellaleone4 at gmail dot com
    www.bellaleonebooks.com

    ReplyDelete
  36. ForettaMay 18, 2012 at 9:26 PM

    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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  37. Eden WintersMay 19, 2012 at 3:56 AM

    Thanks, ya'll. Yes, education will defeat intoleration. Raise children to respect others and see different points of view not as wrong, but as an opportunity to learn.

    ReplyDelete
  38. TriMomFMay 19, 2012 at 5:04 AM

    Eden, wonderful blog and reminder of our history. I can't understand why people don't see how ridiculous they are with their anti-gay rhetoric. I hope it doesn't take 30 more years for people to get smart. Thanks to for including the links to everyone's blogs. I've been trying to catch them all.
    Frances
    Fbmcneal@Verizon.net

    ReplyDelete
  39. L.M. BrownMay 19, 2012 at 11:10 AM

    I too hope that in time people will look back at homophobia and know it only as a word in the history books and not something they have to deal with in every day life.

    lmbrownauthor at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  40. LisaMay 19, 2012 at 12:18 PM

    Very enlightening post and a great reminder for us all!

    Thanks for taking part in the hop!

    lkbherring64(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  41. SheriVMay 19, 2012 at 1:53 PM

    I really hope it doesn't take 30 years for people to realize that homophobia is wrong but some humans are slow to learn.

    SheriV
    smurfettev AT gmail DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  42. gigiMay 19, 2012 at 7:24 PM

    Interesting post. Thanks for participating in the HOP.

    gisu29(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  43. jayhjayMay 19, 2012 at 7:36 PM

    Thanks for the great post and the giveaway!

    Joyfullyjay at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  44. Erica PikeMay 20, 2012 at 5:38 AM

    You're right. In 30-40 years (hopefully sooner!), people will look back and shake their heads over the protesters of same-sex marriage.

    Thanks for the free reads :) I've already read Settling the Score - loved it (and how homophobia was displayed there!).

    Erica
    eripike at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  45. Tabatha HansenMay 20, 2012 at 4:30 PM

    I absolutely agree with you that we need to keep loving and stop hating. It should never matter what gender we are attracted to only that we love and not hate.

    Thank you for the post!

    Tabatha Hansen
    mmparanormalromance@gmail.com
    www.paranormalromance.wordpress.com

    ReplyDelete
  46. PeggyMay 20, 2012 at 6:45 PM

    That was a great post, thank you for sharing. I have really enjoyed the hop.

    peggy1984@live.com

    ReplyDelete
  47. Eden WintersMay 21, 2012 at 2:20 PM

    Thank ya'll all for stopping by and participating in the hop. The winner is Anonymous, with an email of vitajex(at)aol(dot)com

    I really hope the hop becomes an annual event.

    ReplyDelete

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