Saturday, May 17, 2014

International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia



Every time I close the door on reality, it comes in through the windows ~ Jennifer Unlimited

About a year, I attended my church’s regional meeting as it voting delegate. I go to a very open and accepting church, so it’s no surprise that I am but one of three LGBTQ individuals on our session of nine. On the docket for voting that day were some language changes to the Heidelberg Confession as well as some language changes in our Book of Order to change the rules surrounding marriage from “one man and one woman” to more accepting language such as “two people.”

For the first time in my forty-two years at the time, I actually sat in a room where people read all the verses from the Bible that proclaim homosexuality to be a sin. It wasn’t as scary as I guess it sounds, but more amusing. It made me reflect on my own life. It seems I’ve done a pretty good job of insulating myself from that sort persecution. What I mean by that is that I’ve surrounded myself with people who are supportive and understand that being gay is not a choice at all, but who I am.

That’s not always easy. I grew up in a small town in Nebraska in the 80s. I was bullied, teased, and taunted for being a sissy, different, a misfit. But I decided to change all that when I left home, and I haven’t looked back since. Without even realizing it, I only associated with people and places conducive to living an out lifestyle. I am thankful that I’ve never been assaulted for being an openly gay, effiminate man.

If you’re sitting there as an ally, all I can ask you to do is stand up for us. Continue to like and share the positive stories and memes that support equal rights for all people, including LGBTQ individuals. I’m not asking you to engage in online arguments that support our cause. But continue to support us

If you’re sitting there as a person feeling the brunt of the same discrimination I have experienced, just remember it does get better. Even though I still live in state where I could be fired from my job for being gay or be denied housing or other services, I live a relatively safe and happy life with my husband of 6 years. If you feel stuck in a small town, figure out what your options might be to move to bigger a city. But remember this, just like in the Wizard of Oz, sometimes you find happiness right where you are. It just all depends.

I am honored to be a part of this year’s Hop Against Homophobia and Transphobia (HAHAT) in conjunction with International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHO). Join me along with 130 other writers, bloggers, publishers, and cover designers in promoting peace and liberty for all people.

To celebrate, I am giving away an electronic copy, in your choice of format, of my debut novel, A Place to Call Their Own. Leave a comment and next Saturday, May 24, I will do a random drawing and contact the winner.

If you are reading this post through another site such as Goodreads, Amazon, or any other feed, please be sure to find the page itself to make your comment to be entered to win. Here's the link:


After you make your comment and enter my drawing, follow this link to find the others participating in this blog hop for a wonderful cause:




_______________________________________________



Is it possible for two Civil War veterans to find their place in the world on the Kansas Prairie?


My first novel, A Place to Call Their Own is available from BookStrand!



Love is greater than hope or faith, but can Reverend Leander Norris convince a jury that the love he shares with another man is natural? 

My latest novel, Disappear With Me is available from BookStrand!



Then request an Authorgraph, an electronic inscription, from me.




Join the conversation, use #APTCTO and #disappearwithme on social media!


47 comments:

  1. Excellent and encouraging post for the young LGBT community. Thank you for sharing a part of your life with us!

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  2. Want to read the book I'm a fairly new gay guy looking for love

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  3. Thank you Dean for participating in this wonderful Cause. It's because of kind-hearted and strong people like yourself that we can spread the word and stop the fear and hate! xoxo

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  4. Thankyou for posting Dean. Inspiring and hopeful. I will continue to be as supportive of the issues as I can xx

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  5. Great post, Dean. Thanks for sharing--enjoy the Hop!

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  6. Wonderful post, Dean. Thanks for all that you do for our community!

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  7. great post, thanks for sharing

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  8. Love the post, Dean :)
    Heloise

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    1. Thanks for stopping and being a part of the hop, Heloise!

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  9. A Place To Call Their Own sounds like a great book. The title is especially heart touching. I want to get hold of it right away. Nice blog post too. :) "If you’re sitting there as an ally, all I can ask you to do is stand up for us." This comment of yours is too true to ignore.

    ladyunwritten[AT]gmail[DOT]com

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  10. Awesome post. Thank you for the giveaway.

    marsh10@netzero.com

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  11. Thanks so much for the post!

    vitajex(at)Aol(Dot)com

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  12. Great post, Dean. Thanks for sharing--enjoy the Hop!

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  13. what a beautiful topic for a book. I have to sigh though- the idea of moving to be more comfortable. That's one of the problems of my life- I grew up desperately wanting to move out of my conservative home town. Well as an adult, I now find myself in another conservative town, made mostly better by online friends and being able to get in a car and drive away sometimes

    authorjoellecasteel at excite dot com

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    1. We didn't get too fat, either Joelle, Kansas City!

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  14. Thanks for participating in this awesome hop :)

    penumbrareads(at)gmail(dot)com

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  15. I would call you gentlemanly and courteous, not effeminate. :) I'm glad you've had a positive experience at church. That doesn't always happen, and it's wonderful.

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  16. Nice of you to share and participate

    bn100candg at hotmail dot com

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  17. Thank you for sharing and taking part in the hop!

    humhumbum AT yahoo DOT com

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  18. Thanks for sharing and being a part of the hop. I'm an ally more now that ever since my son came out as transgender FtoM, but I've always spoken up for any injustice.

    lena.grey.iam@gmail.com

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  19. Thanks for taking part in the hop!

    kimberlyFDR@yahoo.com

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  20. Thanks for post and hop.
    cvsimpkins@msn.com

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  21. Thanks for being a part of the hop!
    raynman1979 at yahoo dot com

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  22. Great post, Dean. Did you move to a city or a more progressive small town?

    Thanks for taking part in the hop. I love finding new authors to read.

    Have a great weekend!

    skeeterlee63 @ gmail.com

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  23. Thanks for the great post.
    sstrode at scrtc dot com

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  24. Great post!
    Love both of your book, can not wait for more! :-)

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