Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Taboo Tens Day Twenty Nine Michael Mandrake


 Greetings fans!

Welcome to day 29 of the Taboo Tens and I have very mixed emotions as I sit here today, giving you my own post.



As you know, this has been a great month! Filled with great blogs, memorable comments and giveaways galore from some of the best authors in gay fiction. A group I’m happy to say I belong to. The amount of support from writers has been overwhelming so, I’d like to thank everyone for a fabulous 30 days. Couldn’t have done it without you!

My post today is about gay pride and how happy I am to be associated with the gay community.

Yes, there are still issues to be worked out as gays and lesbians strive to be accepted in this crazy society we live in, but people are starting to recognize, around the globe, how important it is for GLBT nation to have the same rights as heterosexuals.

Just look at what happened last Friday. New York became the sixth state to legalize gay marriage! Impressive, considering the state has that hard reputation right? They join, Connecticut, Iowa, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and DC as the only 6 to recognize same sex marriage. Why should that be?

Now, in other states, like mine in Illinois, civil unions are accepted and hopefully this is just a step for the Land of Lincoln doing as the other six have done and support everyone’s right to marry. Truthfully, it;s time for Mr. Pres to step up to the play and make it a law!

The acceptance of openly gay and lesbian troops into the military. Long time coming right? DADT or Don’t Ask Don’t tell is under repeal. While I’m in no way, shape, or form a fan of military service, it still isn’t right for the government to hold back individuals from serving. Why should one’s orientation stop them from doing the job they love? Why should it matter if they love someone of their own gender to serve their country? Something is definitely wrong with that picture.


Lastly, more awareness. The Trevor Project, NOH8, the It Gets Better campaign, among others are definitely a sign that there is an outcry for tolerance. Unfortunately, tragedy has had to strike, in the case of the Trevor Project, in order for something to be done but a lot of times that is what has occurred in cases with any cause that finally gets national attention.

Every year in June, in places around the country and other parts of the world, the gay pride parades abound with people who are and in support of the gay community walking hand in hand. Colorful floats, people from all races and creeds, joining together to alert the world that GLBT nation deserves to be recognized. It’s such a great event. I attended this year and it was a blast.

Even with all these positives, there is still much to do. Unfortunately, gay bashing still exists. It may not be the main headline but that doesn’t mean it's gone away. There are still places in the world where homosexuality is illegal. Uganda was very close to making it punishable by death. Unreal.

In Georgia, sodomy is illegal. Something I didn’t know until recently. This can be translated to say that the state of Georgia frowns upon gay relationships. What’s wrong with this picture when in other states it’s okay to have more than one wife. Legally.

Moving on.

Acceptance and tolerance still has a long way to go but with everyone taking the time to realize that what someone else does with their life shouldn’t be your choice, things would get better. I mean, think. Would you want someone else dictating to you who you should love? The answer would most likely be no, so why do it to someone else?

I’d like to thank myself, I suppose. *jokes* Thanks to all the authors for being here all month. We’ll return back to regular programming after tomorrow when Karenna Colcroft joins us with the final guest post for the Taboo Tens Month.

Please leave me your thoughts and to one commenter, I’ll be giving away a copy of the latest anthology I’m in, XOXO’s GLBT collection as well as a fresh copy of my book, A Second Chance to come out in the next month or so.

Here are the covers and blurbs for both.

Thanks again for stopping by and please drop in for the final day with Karenna Colcroft



Blurb: by Michael Mandrake, Heather McAlendin, Ashley Marie Lucas and Elenna Tyler

Love knows no boundaries does not discriminate. It does not judge and it can change the lives of all it touches, bringing those that were in the dark, to the light. Tina B's Anthology Vol. 1 brings to life a variety of love stories from a different point of view. Michael Mandrake, Heather McAlendin, Ashley Marie Lucas and Elenna Tyler have joined together to bring you 4 stories with this one common theme.





Blurb: Two cops who’ve lost their partners in the line of duty and life are both lonely but hesitant about beginning a relationship with someone new. Will one of them accept the others proposition to start over or remain alone because of their places on the police force?

8 comments:

S.Lira said...

Please leave your comments and be entered to win both!

Erica Pike said...

Honestly, to ban someone from marrying someone they love (as long as they're of age) is just a breach of human rights. I honestly don't understand why it's so difficult for some people to understand that, especially people in the USA - a country that's prided itself in being leading in many issues. People are people, no matter their race, sexual orientation, or belief. It still amazes me that it's 2011 now and people are still living in the 1950s (in regard to all of the above).

Lady Gina Kincade said...

Well done blog Hun! I am pleased myself that the US, the world is FINALLY waking up to smell the roses.

*kisses*
Gina

S.Lira said...

@Erika. Exactly!

@NNP Thank you for stopping in Gina.

Ths for the visit and comments. :)

Kellie Kamryn said...

Thanks for posting about such a controversial topic. I'm glad that gay marriage is finally being accepted albeit slowly. All people should be able to have the same rights and freedoms and sexual orientation shouldn't be an issue. This topic was brought up briefly in my daughter's sex ed class. Her response to a fellow student's comment was as follows: "If we're all made in (insert deity here) image and we happen to be gay, then isn't that the way we're supposed to be?" I was so proud of her and think even at 13 she's got it right!

S.Lira said...

Thats awesome Kellie!

We should teach our children tolerance. The last thing we need is to have more hateful people running around. :)

Good for your daughter! TY for the visit!

She said...

A thoughtful post. You said so much. I agree with it all. A wonderful ending to a fantastic month. Thank you for the Taboo Ten.

S.Lira said...

Thanks for visiting She!

I always appreciate your support!

:)