Saturday, May 5, 2012

International Day Against Homophobia and Straight People

So straight person what are you going to do on May 17th, named International Day Against Homophobia?


“Oh that is a day for gay people not me”………............WRONG!

The LGBT community has been assaulted by homophobia for years and most of it comes directly from the straight community. I know there are those “who protest too loudly” against same sex relationships who are probably struggling with their own sexuality but the vast majority comes from us, the straight community.


This is a day that “we” the straight community need to do more than just pay lip service to our views of equality for all.  It is a day to get out of your comfort zone and do something positive for your LGBT community.

There are still places in the U.S. and around the world where you can be denied housing, lose your job, be beaten, jailed and even put to death for being gay.  You know this is true!

The LGBT community have worked hard enough, they are tired and they need your help!

 WHAT CAN YOU DO?

1. Reach out to someone you know is gay or being bullied and say you are sorry.

2. Join Straight For Equality and read what they have been so kind to write for us.

3. Post something positive on your blog, Twitter, FB page. This is not a day to give any time to those who are seeking negative attention.


4. Send a letter and/or donation to a local LGBT outreach organization. It takes so little to turn someone’s day around.


WHAT AM I GOING TO DO?
I am going to spend the day apologizing.

If just one person hears me or reads this and believes it to be sincere and from my heart then I feel I may have taken a tiny step in the right direction.

AN OPEN APOLOGY
I am straight and I am sorry for taking for granted all the entitlement and privileges I receive in this world that you do not.


I am sorry for the cruel things I said to you in school.
I am sorry my thoughtlessness embarrassed you in front of others.
I am sorry for not extending my hand in friendship when I could have.
I am sorry for the tasteless jokes I said at the office.
I am sorry I made your work environment tough to go to each day.
I am sorry for the thoughtless comments you overheard me say to others.
I am sorry if your family did not support you when you came out or even rejected you.
I am sorry that you have to always be careful what you say around me.
I am sorry that I made you feel less of a man or woman.
I am sorry this is too little and too late in coming.

I am sorry.


I was wrong and you did not deserve any of it.

With great respect,

Shadow Sterling
 



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(If you know of someone who is hurting and you think this apology might help, please feel free to pass it on)

Acknowledgments
1.  http://www.towleroad.com/2012/05/clintonbullying.html
2.  http://www.towleroad.com/2012/05/gay-iowa-hs-student-acted-as-anonymous-twitter-angel-for-fellow-bullied-teens.html
3.  http://dan14lev.deviantart.com/journal/Homophobic-ToMyUnbornChild-tweets-turned-into-PSA-294126272
4.  http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/04/120406234458.htm
5.  http://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/29/opinion/sunday/homophobic-maybe-youre-gay.html?_r=2&emc=tnt&tntemail1=y
6.  http://www.ncaa.org/wps/wcm/connect/public/NCAA/Resources/Latest+News/2012/April/Athlete+Ally+-+Hudson+Taylor+tackles+homophobia
7.  http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/08/sports/hockey/08avery.html?ref=sports
8.  http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/14/sports/two-straight-athletes-combat-homophobia.html?pagewanted=all
9.  https://twitter.com/#!/homophobes
10. http://www.state.gov/secretary/rm/2011/05/163529.htm
11. http://www.adl.org/hate-patrol/homophobia.asp
12. http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/assault/etc/quiz.html
13. http://psychology.ucdavis.edu/rainbow/html/sexual_prejudice.html
14. http://www.endhomophobia.org/homophobia.htm

15. http://www.fangsforthefantasy.com/2012/04/international-day-againt-homophobia-and.html


 

14 comments:

  1. Thanks so much for stopping by and for your comment. (Can I just say I am so jealous of your job? lol)

    Your donation will be a wonderful way to take part...also...spreading the word as you are. ♥

    Kharisma
    http://www.kharismarhayne.com/

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  2. Hello Kharisma,

    There is no reason to be jealous it is mostly writing and I am sure you would be much better at it.

    Yes this subject is very, very important to me and I am going to participate as much as I can.

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  3. Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment. I appreciate all writing in the m/m fiction world. So thank you and thanks for taking part in the hop ^_^

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  4. Nice post, Shadow. The International Day Against Homophobia is just around the corner, and like you, I'm looking forward to it.

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    Replies
    1. You had a great post also. I see you are a rider. I was a hunter/jumper for 10 years and sometimes I would go over the jump, sometimes the horse would go over the jump and sometimes we would even do it together LOL. Wasn't very good at it so I decided to retire. What type of riding do you do?

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  5. Hello Sterling, Thank you for your comment on my Blog, Thank you for helping spread the word! I loved your post:) Glad to see you taking part as well!


    P.s. I second what Kharisma said... haha


    -Krissy's Bookshelf
    http://krissysbookshelf.blogspot.com

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    Replies
    1. Hello Krissy,

      Thank you for stopping by and yes I believe it is paramount that people other than just the LGBT organizations spread the word to get this hate nonsense to stop.

      As to possibly being jealous of my new career, yes I do have to view a fair amount of adult entertainment for it but it is mostly about the writing which I am not sure I have as much talent as the rest of you published authors.

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  6. Thanks for cruising by! I'm not an author, just an avid author/book lover. I love to read and share the awesomeness that I read to others.

    Great post too. This is an issue I just don't get, really. Let people love and be with the one that makes them the most happy. What does it matter who that individual is? Crazy times we live in!

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  7. Hi again

    Thank you for your comment on my blog. Great post.

    I am looking forward to the Hop as well and am sure that many of us will be using it to raise funds for GLBT causes.

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  8. Great post! And thank you for commenting on my blog. Me, too, on the looking forward to the Blog Hop. : )

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  9. Wow! Terrific post--love the open letter. So many of us are thoughtless without realizing it--what I call 'casual bigotry'--because we grew up hearing and saying certain things. It's just as damaging in its own way as outright homophobia with all its ugly aggression, and you're right, it has to stop. Love your 'show me the bullies!' picture!

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  10. Argh! My first comment was eaten in the process of posting! Just wanted to say great post here, and I love the concept of an open letter of apology--because many of us are guilty of thoughtless comments that are hurtful, even if that was not our intent. :-)

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  11. Thanks for stopping by my blog and great post. Today, we will make a difference. I feel it. Today, I hope we begin the end of hate.

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  12. Thanks so much for taking part, Shadow :) Your blog is truly beautiful and informative.

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Respectful Comments Welcome