Saturday, May 17, 2014

The Next Generation


I’ve taken part in the Hop Against Homophobia and Transphobia a few times in the past, and it’s amazing to see how much the environment has changed in just a few short years.

Officially, May 17 is the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia, and you can find more information on http://dayagainsthomophobia.org/. Awareness needs to continue year-round.

A few years ago, I wrote that my main inspiration for equal rights comes from watching my older cousin past away when I was a teen. His partner was banned from the hospital room, and at that time there were no rights for partners.

Recently, an event with my own daughter made me so aware at the differences in culture in this next generation. She has a male porcelain doll from Japan, and was thinking about getting a second one. They’re customized where the buyer picks out the hair, eyes, clothes, accessories separately. My father kept asking her if she wanted a female doll to make a pair. She insisted no.

Finally, I told her: “If you want another male doll that’s fine … just tell him.” She was so relieved, and we soon placed the order.

She’s not quite 12, and she wants a same-sex couple for her dolls. There isn’t a difference to her.

Granted, she’s grown up in an atmosphere that’s open. We have friends who are in same-sex relationships, and she reads male/male anime.  But, that openness shows the hope for the future.

Thank you for stopping by my stop. I’m giving away an electronic copy of one of my backlist books, and a $5 gift card to Amazon, B&N or ARe.

Tell me: What positive signs are you seeing in the fight against Homophobia and Transphobia? Please leave a comment and email address. A winner will be pulled at random on May 28, after the hop ends (on May 27).

Louisa Bacio





23 comments:

  1. I agree that issues of hospital visitation should take precedence over smaller issues.

    The difference I notice is that younger kids are coming to terms with their sexuality far earlier than before. This leads to complications, but it happens within the support of family (often but not always). I'd like for there to be greater recognition of domestic violence in same-sex relationships and for shelters to stop discriminating against taking lesbians.

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    1. Excellent point about more education, too, within same-sex relationships. My master's thesis for journalism was on dating violence, and there is a high prevalence within same-sex couples too. Thanks for stopping by Ana.

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  2. I'm encouraged that more states are legalizing same sex marriages.
    rockybatt@gmail.com

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  3. The increase in states who are allowing same-sex marriage in America is a good step in the right direction for America. Other parts of the world though... What's happening in Russia is terrible (even though Russians claim that things aren't that bad over there, there are tons of videos showing groups of people chasing down homosexual men, beat them up and humiliate them). What's happening in Nigeria and Uganda is also terrible and people are getting killed. I don't know what it'll take for those countries to change their ways...

    Anyway, just stopped by to thank you for signing up again :)

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  4. I'm encouraged that more people are aware of everyone's rights although implementation seems to be a little slow...

    leetee2007@hotmail.com

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  5. In my life, it's multiple levels of marginalization. For my son, he wasn't phased when I came out as bisexual (to him) when he was 6. I was surprised when he took me coming out to him as polyamorous without a thought- at age 10.

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  6. oh and authorjoellecasteel at excite dot com

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  7. I think it's wonderful that more of our youths are accepting of same-sex unions, it truly is a promising sign for the future. There is that niggling worry about what happens for those who choose to come out at a younger age though since their is a huge percentage of people who let their belief and ignorance and fear cloud their judgement.

    humhumbum AT yahoo DOT com

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  8. I am seeing more and more same sex couples and transgenders being open about themselves and less people not tolerating it. The atmosphere where I live - which is a tourist driven town - is much more accepting of the openness of love in all forms. It took long enough and there is still a ways to go, but it is going in the right direction. Thanks for participating in this fabulous HOP.
    Cinders1964@hotmail.com

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  9. Thanks for your post and being part of the Hop. all we can do is keep educating lena.grey.iam@gmail.com

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  10. Wow. It's really nice to hear your daughter wants "same-sex couple for her dolls". It's shows a major change in mindset and society.

    ladyunwritten[AT]gmail[DOT]com

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  11. I am seeing more and more states grant marriage equality, mine being one of them. Thanks for the post and chance to win. caddyauthor(at)gmail(dot)com

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  12. This makes me hope that t will "only" take another generation for some discrimination to become extinct.

    Thanks for posting. :)

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  13. I'm from England and the Goverment here has passed a marriage bill before that we had civil Partnerships so at least we are getting something right and I hope over time a "Gay Marriage" will be just called "A Marriage"

    ShirleyAnn(at)speakman40(dot)freeserve(dot)co(dot)uk

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  14. That's great, thanks for sharing!
    raynman1979(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  15. Good post. My hope comes from my young cousin, who told her daddy "that's not right" when he tried to say something was "so gay". I was so proud of her.

    MHupp20032003(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  16. Thank for joining the hop. I find it when talking with the younger generation and see more acceptance. also see it in all the states that are legalizing same sex marriage.
    God Bless your young cousin Michelle.

    rojoroaors@yahoo.com

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  17. More people talking about it

    bn100candg at hotmail dot com

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  18. Well, obviously posts/hops like this one, but also a step towards normalisation (not seeing it as some other form of relationship, just a relationship.) There's a long way to go, but I see baby steps being taken.

    sadie @ sadieforsythe dot com

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  19. I'm just seeing younger people not caring who people can love. It's just society is being more open minded now a days.
    red_tigergirl2(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  20. Polls showing more people agree equality for all.
    cvsimpkins@msn.com

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  21. More states are new legalizing same sex marriages.
    sstrode at scrtc dot com

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  22. I am so glad that more states are legalizing ss marriages, it really gives me hope for the future! Thanks for the chance to enter! wendynjason04@gmail.com

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