Today, I’m happy to
take part in the Hop Against Homophobia. Commenters will be entered to win an
electronic copy of my M/M novel, “The Vampire & The Werewolf: A New Orleans
Christmas,” and U.S. winners also can get a goody bag, including a NYC “Rainbow”
condom. (If you’re international, we can talk shipping costs!)
On many levels, I don’t get involved within political
spectrums. With my background in journalism, we’ve been taught to stay
objective, which often means don’t sign anything, don’t protest and certainly
don’t stick any sort of candidate signs on your doorstep. (Too bad my
conservative mate doesn’t feel the same way, but that’s another subject!)
Anyway, equal rights and the right to marry and love who one
wants is vital. It’s hard to imagine that it’s even an issue, but I’m glad that
the subject has become forefront in the minds of many people. Unfortunately, I’ve
seen a relative pass away without his loved one by his side, because at that
time there were no regulations or provisions in place.
Paul lived with his partner for more than 10 years. Growing
up in a traditional, Italian family, his parents never addressed the
relationship. Instead, his partner was his “roommate.” In the early ‘90s, when
Paul contracted HIV, and then AIDS, he was hospitalized for his final few
weeks. Since they were not married, his partner had no rights to visit him in
the hospital, and the parents did not allow it. Seeing and knowing that added
trauma had a profound effect upon me. How could his family keep the person he
had chosen to share his life with, away?
Since then, we’ve come a long way. Even though many states
do not allow same-sex marriage, there is paperwork that an individual can do to
ensure their wishes are met in an emergency. The solution is simple: Let
everyone have that chance, and choice for love.
Here’s a glimpse at the M/M novel I’m giving away as part of
this hop:
The Vampire & The Werewolf: A New Orleans Christmas
Louisa Bacio
Vampires and
werewolves don’t mix … or do they?
Before there were three, there were two. When a vampire
swoops in to save Trevor from a rogue gang’s blood sport, the werewolf must
fight his own inhibitions. The magic of New Orleans and the holiday season
bring together these two unlikely lovers.
Thank you for visiting, and please leave an email address so the winner
may be contacted. The contest ends May 20, and a winner will be chosen
via Random.org the following day. Also, make sure to visit the other stops on
the Hop Against Homophobia.
Louisa Bacio
Great post, Louisa. I agree everyone should have the choice and chance to marry the one they love no matter their sexual orientation. :)
ReplyDeleteI agree with Shay - and with you! :))
ReplyDeleteAnne
xxx
albrookeATmeDOTcom
I luv-- *waves* Thank you for being a part of the Hop! : )
ReplyDeleteShay and Anne -- Thanks so much for stopping by. I appreciate the support.
ReplyDeleteKimberly -- Good way of looking at it!
Tara -- As always, you are a dear and I appreciate it!
Great post, Louisa. Thanks for being part of the hop.
ReplyDeleteThanks for participating in the hop and for the book giveaway.
ReplyDeleteandreagrendahl AT gmail DOT com
Totally agree with you - and something I didn't know (until I read a blog on this hop) - not only are there 7 states that grant marriage licenses to same-sex couples, but also Oregon's Coquille Suquamish Indian tribes
ReplyDeleteWashington states Coquille Suquamish Indian tribes...
And doesn't the US Military recognize and perform same sex marriage? Or am I confused on that?
Thank you for your participation -- I enjoyed having a look around...
romancewiththeflemingtons at gmail dot com
Great post. Thanks for participating in the HOP.
ReplyDeletegisu29(at)gmail(dot)com
Great post. Thanks for participating in the HOP.
ReplyDeletegisu29(at)gmail(dot)com
Oops, sorry got an error message and entered twice by mistake.
ReplyDelete:-( such a sad story, thanks for sharing, an dyes we have come a along way with a long way to go.
ReplyDeletepantsoffreviews@livedotca
Great blog, Louisa. It makes me so sad when people are not allowed to be together - marriage, benefits, even being allowed to visit in the hospital. I'm all for equal rights - I hope I see in my lifetime the wiping out of legalized discrimination against our gay brothers and sisters.
ReplyDeleteThanks to everyone for your participation and support.
ReplyDeleteDawn -- I knew that number of seven, since I did some research on that exact subject for my upcoming novel, "The Vampire, The Witch & The Werewolf: The Voodoo King."
No worries about double messages. I look more popular, lol.
Thinking back, I'm sure my cousin lived with his partner for longer than that. I was young -- and not paying attention -- for most of it, but he passed away when I was reaching adulthood. He fit all those stereotypes -- a hairstylist and floral arranger. Very cool black and white kitchen, with all red appliances, including the refrigerator. ;-)
Very nice post. Thanks for participating.
ReplyDeletebn100candg(at)hotmail(dot)com
I showed a bunch of these post to the teens in my family to show them how hurt some "innocent" remarks are to many others. I get so annoyed when my nephew says "you're so gay". ERRRR drove me crazy. I know he didn't mean anything by it but it is so wrong to use that as a saying. I think that these post have helped. Thank you all for sharing with us!
ReplyDeleteforettarose@yahoo.com
Wow, it's good to know that the posts are being used in an educational manner, too. My daughter was 7 when she came home from school and said, "That's so gay." I immediately told her that it wasn't a nice thing to say. I asked where she had heard it. She wouldn't tell me, but she's never said it -- in front of me -- again.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for participating and for sharing such a great post with us.
ReplyDeletenormanielsen@bigpond.com
Everyone should have the right to have the one they love with them at the end. That a civilisation in this day and age still doesn't get that is just plain wrong. I hope that this small hop will grow each year until the year it is no longer necessary at all.
ReplyDeletelmbrownauthor at gmail dot com
Thanks for participating for this wonderful cause of awareness…I teach high schoolers and this is a topic that we discuss at length. I just want them to be aware and know that they have the power to change the world!
ReplyDeleteYvette
yratpatrol@aol.com
I've seen so many examples of the one you just gave. It's heartbreaking that all rights are stripped from the living partner when the other dies. Just heartbreaking, and so, so wrong.
ReplyDeleteAs for whether werewolves and vampires ca mix? Yes. They can ;)
Erica
eripike at gmail dot com
These stories are so sad there should be no reason for that to ever happen.
ReplyDeleteburchills AT gmail DOT com
Wonderful post! I've always though it was so sad that so many people cannot visit their loved one in the hospital, or have to lie because of thy rule. Lillywriting(at)gmail(dot)com
ReplyDeleteThanks for participating in this hop. I'm enjoying all the great blog posts.
ReplyDeletepenumbrareads(at)gmail(dot)com
Thanks for the post. I have really enjoyed this hop.
ReplyDeletepeggy1984@live.com
Thank you to all who stopped by and participated. The official winner was Lilly Jones! I'll be emailing you shortly.
ReplyDelete