I guess it’s fair to admit that I don’t understand what’s
wrong with the idea of ‘evolving’, except in the political arena, where
Democrats and Republicans are in a battle over the legalities of same-sex marriage.
Recently, Barack Obama, the President of the United States has come out in
support of same-sex marriage. To Mr. President, I say, thank you! Thank you for
making a stance, and, yes, dare I say, thank you for evolving on this very
important issue.
For the record, I’m a supporter of same-sex relationships.
If a couple is in love and want to get married, I say go for it and live
happily ever after! Isn’t that what romance books are about? Granted, I write m/m erotic romance, as well as m/f and BDSM and there's a good chance that my contemporaries will become wilder. But today's post isn't about what I write as much as offering my support for love, specifically lovers, husbands, wives, happily ever after, regardless of whether they're traditional or same-sex.
At the same time, I’ve read some astoundingly negative
comments against evolving, from those who are straight and those who are not.
Some of the negativity resulted after voters in North Carolina came
out against same-sex marriages. This had to hurt! It hurt me and I’m a staunch
Democrat living in a state that’s already legalized it. But the outrage I read
on Facebook and Twitter, the insults flung at the voters, including attacks
against race, the poor and hypocritical intolerance of someone else’s view,
saddened me, too.
How can opinions change if we’re attacking one another? How
can homophobia be a thing of the past? How? Patience, tolerance, understanding
and being open-minded, regardless of someone’s lifestyle, color of their skin,
or socio-economic level. Misconceptions and hatred toward homosexuality can only be corrected or changed one victory at a time. The President's support is a victory. Parents who recognize and love their children, regardless of their sexual preferences, is a victory in overcoming homophobia. Sometimes change can take a while. That's okay, one a time is better than none, eventually more and more will come around.
As I sit and write this post, I’m watching The Ellen Show,
which has won multiple Emmy's! Years before Ellen started her talk show
she had a situation comedy on TV. Remember when she came out at the show’s
conclusion? I’d wondered what would happen, how she’d handle the pressure. It's a good chance she received backlash and feared complete rejection.
Well, guess what, obviously she showed the world that her talk show could be
successful. Look at the good she does, look at the numbers of people she's helped and continues to help. More and more Hollywood and Broadway actors are coming out, more so, accepted and rewarded.
The other day, I saw a blog article on the ‘net
about a certain teen musician’s recent wardrobe malfunction. Basically, his
loose-fitting pants fell down during a concert. Okay, it had to be embarrassing
for him and this post isn’t meant to draw attention to him, so I’ll let you all
figure out who it was. But the comments were brutal. Utterly brutal, featuring
the most anti-gay, racist, sexist, nastiest comments that I’d ever seen.
I was
stunned! I’d thought that I lived in a more tolerant country, that
bigotry and racism and intolerance of sexual orientation were changing. Obviously, there’s still work to do.
Someone’s sexuality or sexual orientation should not be a political
issue or cause for hate or ridicule and bullying. Tolerance, understanding, education,
showing those who may be anti-gay or same-sex marriage that there’s nothing
wrong with it is the place to start. Those in the GLBT community
deserve equal rights. Let’s hope that more people will evolve and be brave
enough not to bash another, but to embrace our differences and celebrate
equality and happily ever after for all!
Admittedly, it's a pleasure to post about this topic. I hope readers come out and share their point of view. As part of a multi-author, multi-blog hop, the 'Hop Against Homophobia' is a week long event and my blog partners at Sex Scheming Geniuses are all posting. You may even see a repeat of this post there. Prizes are being given away, including a digital copy of Playing Doctor, my m/m erotic romance from Ellora's Cave Spectrum. A blurb and excerpt were posted here on this blog a few weeks ago, take a look in the archived section.
Until next time, be open and love freely,
Frances Stockton
