Friday, May 16, 2014

Hop Against Homophobia and Transphobia 2014


I'm so sorry to have a contentless post for this year's HAHAT, but real life has been kicking my ass recently. Please enjoy the following pictures celebrating the lightning speed at which the US is coming to accept same-sex marriage, and comment until May 27 for a chance to win an e-copy of the Project Fierce anthology, the proceeds of which go to provide transitional housing for homeless LGBT youth in Chicago. (The release date is July 16th, so you've got a bit of a wait, but I'll put the winner on my calendar and get it sent out as soon as it becomes available.)

The International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia (May 17) is an opportunity to think about how we can combat the continuing problem of anti-LGBT attitudes and behavior. I'd like to take the opportunity today, though, to talk about how things are getting better, at least in the US.


Some people may think that marriage equality isn't as important as other LGBT issues, but that's how I felt about the repeal of Don't Ask Don't Tell, and boy, was I wrong about how important that turned out to be. Minds and hearts, folks, and sweet pictures like the ones below are what will help win them.


The cover of Arkansas Times magazine. Let me repeat: Arkansas.


(photo used without permission, but I hope they'll allow it, as it's for a good cause. Mazel Tov, ladies!)


Weddings mean cake! 



And check out other HAHAT blogs for 2014.

Have you or any of your friends or relatives gotten (legally) married recently, or are finally able to plan their (legal) wedding? Tell me about it in the comments, even if it will probably make me cry. :)

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30 comments:

  1. Lee ToddMay 17, 2014 at 4:03 AM

    I only know one gay (lesbian) couple and as Australia still doesn't recognise gay marriage it hasn't come up in conversation

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    1. B SnowMay 18, 2014 at 3:07 PM

      I remember reading about Tasmania and attempt to get the law passed to cover the entire country. Australia will probably still get marriage equality before the US, even with the rapid-fire judicial wins we've been having.

      Thanks for commenting!

      Delete
  2. Cherie NoelMay 17, 2014 at 7:33 AM

    Bee, not without content. There is a world of meaning in each of those photos. Thanks for being part of the hop (and please do not include me in the drawing)
    Muah!

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    1. B SnowMay 18, 2014 at 3:08 PM

      Muah back to you. :) So funny to think that the first time I participated in HAH (which is what it was back then), you and Erika were just names. Now I have faces and voices and fb conversations to go along with those names! Thanks for the good work you do (as well as the good writing you do)!

      Delete
  3. UnknownMay 17, 2014 at 9:50 AM

    I'd like to know more about your F/F writing! (fellow F/F author)

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    1. B SnowMay 18, 2014 at 3:12 PM

      Hi, Anastasia, I really have only one story that is F/F -- in that Project Fierce anthology. We were encouraged to write stories about homeless youth, since that is who the anthology will benefit, and I know that girls get kicked out of their homes for being lesbian just like boys get kicked out for being gay, and a female main character worked better for the story idea. I'd love to have a "real" F/F author read it and give it an honest critique. :)

      Delete
  4. AnonymousMay 17, 2014 at 10:33 PM

    I don't know anyone personally, but a lot of the online wedding stories warm my heart!

    vitajex(at)Aol(dot)com

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    1. B SnowMay 18, 2014 at 3:13 PM

      Don't they, though?!? :D

      Thanks for commenting (and leaving your contact info!). :)

      Delete
  5. AnonymousMay 20, 2014 at 1:58 AM

    My state doesn't recognize same-sex marriages, civil union, and domestic partnerships. I don't know anyone personally who has gotten legally married but my sister has a friend who married her girlfriend a couple years ago.

    humhumbum AT yahoo DOT com

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    1. B SnowMay 24, 2014 at 5:38 PM

      Someday! I currently live in GA, and I think it's going to take a Supreme Court decision for same-sex marriages to be recognized here, too.

      Congratulations to your sister's friend, and thanks for commenting!

      Delete
  6. RissaMay 20, 2014 at 1:05 PM

    I don't know anyone personally who has been married but I do know quite a few couples who are right now enjoying each other. :) I do love seeing all the wonderful stories that roll thru my facebook or twitter feeds!
    Thanks for being a part of the hop!
    raynman1979(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  7. UnknownMay 21, 2014 at 1:23 PM

    Those pictures are so sweet! Unfortunately in my state same sex marriage is not legal (T_T) There was this journalist who was quite famous in my country that moved to England and married his lover there after getting citizenship. I really cried when I saw the news on tv. They both looked so happy. It was clearly love. I really wish others can see that too. That love is so beautiful . Why must we hate each other?

    shayla.mist@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
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    1. B SnowMay 24, 2014 at 5:40 PM

      And we can expect to lose more of our best people if they aren't allowed their rights here. It seems to be moving pretty fast in the correct direction, though -- three states this past week?!?!!

      Thanks for commenting!

      Delete
  8. CorneliaMay 21, 2014 at 4:38 PM

    Thanks for post and hop. PA just became legal for same sex marriage, a great day.
    cvsimpkins@msn.com

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    1. B SnowMay 24, 2014 at 5:41 PM

      Woo hoo! Congrats! I saw that tweet from Brian Sims: "Marry me, Pennsylvania!" Right now, thousands of gay men are changing their names to "Pennsylvania". :D

      Thanks for commenting!

      Delete
  9. Lena GreyMay 21, 2014 at 4:45 PM

    My state doesn't acknowledge same sex marriages, but I've had a lot of friends online take advantage of the privilege.I hope that number grows so everyone who wants to be married can do so. lena.grey.iam@gmail.com

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    1. B SnowMay 24, 2014 at 5:42 PM

      It would be lovely to have it recognized everywhere. I'm hoping it will happen even faster than anyone expects. :)

      Thanks for commenting!

      Delete
  10. UnknownMay 21, 2014 at 7:30 PM

    Yes, I live in MN and I had 2 gay friends marry last fall. I was so happy for them. And now they both have health insurance! caddyauthor(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. B SnowMay 24, 2014 at 5:43 PM

      Just one of the many benefits we straight people take for granted when we get married. Congratulations to your friends, and thanks for commenting!

      Delete
  11. Michelle RaeMay 21, 2014 at 8:06 PM

    My state still doesn't recognize same-sex marriage but our state supreme court recently struck down the ban. We're getting closer...

    MHupp20032003(at)yahoo(dot)com

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    1. B SnowMay 24, 2014 at 5:44 PM

      Woo hoo! Let's hear it for activist judges! ;D

      Thanks for commenting!

      Delete
  12. Andrew AshlingMay 23, 2014 at 2:06 PM

    Thanks for joining us, and yes, marriage equality is important. In my country it exists since 2001 and almost nobody raises an eyebrow anymore when they hear about to people of the same sex marrying.

    ReplyDelete
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    1. B SnowMay 24, 2014 at 5:45 PM

      Exactly. The sky didin't fall, the earth didn't burn under a hail of fire and brimstone, cats and dogs didn't start living together.....:)

      Thanks for commenting!

      Delete
  13. UnknownMay 24, 2014 at 8:09 AM

    My best friend was finally able to marry her girlfriend this year! She has waited so long and it was a beautiful day! Thank you for the chance to enter, wendynjason04@gmail.com

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    Replies
    1. B SnowMay 24, 2014 at 5:46 PM

      That's so nice! Congratulations to them. :)

      And thanks for commenting!

      Delete
  14. SherryMay 24, 2014 at 9:57 AM

    I don't know anyone personally that has gotten married. My state does not allow same sex marriage yet. Maybe soon.
    sstrode at scrtc dot com

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    1. B SnowMay 24, 2014 at 5:47 PM

      Sorry to hear that, but yes, maybe soon. Having a patchwork of states that recognize one's marriage is just not right. "Schrodinger's marriage" they're calling it -- you're either married or not, depending on which state you're in. That's GOT to change, and as you said, soon.

      Thanks for commenting!

      Delete
  15. B SnowJune 14, 2014 at 12:52 PM

    I keep forgetting to draw a name! I'll do that today, even though the prize won't be available until mid-July.

    ReplyDelete
  16. B SnowJuly 9, 2014 at 12:14 PM

    FINALLY drew a name -- congratulations, Wendy Hoffman! I'll email you to work out how to get the book to you.

    ReplyDelete

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