Hosted by Queer Town Abbey an online magazine and a social networking website, tailored specifically for the LGBTQ community and anyone who supports the rights of its members.
The theme of this blog hop is “Your first experience in the LGBTQ community”
I actually don't remember my first experience. I never had the challenge of coming out as LGBTQ to my family or my community. I'm not gay but was always involved in theatre and went to a high school of performing arts. The culture was there and I never thought anything of it. It wasn't until I hit my 20's that I started to realize being gay was an issue for some. I knew on some level that my gay friends struggled within the community but embarrassingly, I didn't realize how much. One incident brought that "knew on some level" to a more personal one. My friend Gabriel and I had gone out for a night of dancing and fun. At one particular club, a group of guys decided to beat Gabriel up for no reason other than he was gay. I'm not a fist fight kind of girl but I do stick up for my friends. And it got bad. I think that's when it truly hit home (in more ways than one) the struggle he faced as a gay man in a straight community. Not because of the physical fight but because of the emotional pain it caused him afterwards. Emotional pain he didn't deserve.
I always try and think of the good that comes from a bad situation. What good came from this? (Other than my Doc Martins+Ballet background=Good kicks in a fight) Well, it made me more sensitive and less naïve. Just because I grew up accepting of people's sexuality didn't mean everyone felt the same way. I was unprepared for how violent people could be. I was unprepared for the aftermath. I was unprepared for how much rage I felt at how blatantly unfair the situation was. It's why I'm so vocal about LGBTQ rights today. It's why I'm raising kids who are aware of the struggles and how important it is for people to have equal rights.
I do hope you have a wonderful July 4th and beyond. July the 4th marks the celebration of Independence Day in the United States. Queer Town Abbey invites you to follow the blog hop and celebrate the LBGTQ march toward independence. Onto the blog hop and prizes...
My prize is an ecopy of my latest paranormal gothic horror:
STRUCK
by Clarissa Johal
The shadows hadn't been waiting.
The shadows had been invited.
After a painful breakup, Gwynneth Reese moves in with her best friend and takes a job at a retirement home. She grows especially close to one resident, who dies alone the night of a terrific storm. On the way home from paying her last respects, Gwynneth is caught in another storm and is struck by lightning. She wakes in the hospital with a vague memory of being rescued by a mysterious stranger. Following her release from the hospital, the stranger visits her at will and offers Gwynneth a gift--one that will stay the hands of death. Gwynneth is uncertain whether Julian is a savior or something more sinister... for as he shares more and more of this gift, his price becomes more and more deadly.
* To Enter Queer Town Abbey’s Giveaway *
Find the answer to this easy question from my post above:
"What was the name of my friend?"
Leave the answer in the Rafflecopter widget below.
11 comments:
Bravo, I have raised my child much the same and thankfully, he takes people at face value much as I do. I'm glad there are other moms who are instilling values of tolerance in the next generation. I am noticing in my son's generation that LGBTQ kids are taken at face value and they are picked on less, because kids like ours befriend them just like any other kid. When I was a kid, it was something my parents would really turn their nose up at. I have found that even they have changed their views and are more tolerant and accepting of peoples' differences. P.S. I miss my Doc Martens and cry for them in the night all alone, lol!
I notice that with my daughter's friends too, Amy. They are very open-minded. I know this may not be "across the board" for their generation but hopefully...
Thank you for sharing that story Clarissa, I was anxiously reading through hoping to see where you pounced on one of those asshats! Gotta love Docs!!
LOL! Well, I can't say we "won" but we escaped in one piece, at least. Thanks for stopping by, Tammy :)
I'm raising my kids to be accepting of everyone. Neither of them seem to even think it's strange that a couple of kids in their school have two mothers instead of a mom and a dad.
Gabriel . thanks for the post and hop.
cvsimpkins@msn.com
Thank you for stopping by Cornelia--make sure you enter the answer into the Rafflecopter! That's how you get entered into the contest :)
Thanks for stopping by Kate!
Very touching post, Clarissa! Thank you for being so vocal in your support of gay rights. We wouldn't have gotten this far without help from our allies.
I'm glad you stopped by for a read, Alicia! Thank you :)
Thanks so much for posting your and Gabriel's story. Your actions are the definition of what the word "friend" means. Thanks for participating in the Hop.
laurah2727@yahoo.com
Thank you for stopping by, Laura! :) Don't forget to enter any/all contests via Rafflecopter. Have a great weekend.
Post a Comment