Hi all,
If you’ve stumbled your way onto here, chances are it’s because of the HAHAT Blog Hop.
To find all the sites that are participating go HERE. There are prizes involved. For mine all you have to do is post a comment to this blog, leave your email, and on the 28th I’ll announce the winner. What do you win? A copy of my latest release Riley’s Vampire Prince.
While I personally do not have to deal with Homophobia or Transphobia, people I love do.
I have never fully agreed with the term phobia being used in these words. To me a phobia is a natural, instinctual fear of something. There is nothing natural about this kind of hate, it is taught.
You know what my kids hate? Homework, cleaning their rooms and cauliflower. That’s it!
As an author of M/M romance, I have seen enough in the reactions of some when I reveal what I write, that it angers me how narrow minded and judgmental a person can be. When those people are the leaders of your country, it’s even more devastating.
The leaders of a country are meant to set an example, and one would hope the example is of peace and equality. Unfortunately this isn’t always so.
As an Australian I have struggled to understand the views of those who run this country. Their blatant disregard for equal rights has left me dumbfounded and ashamed on many occasions. While the rest of the world are catching up with the times, our country is slowly dragging its heels.
But there is hope.
On June 6th 2013 the House of Representatives will vote on Greens Deputy Leader Adam Bandt’s Marriage Equality Amendment Bill. The Greens also have a second Bill in the Senate that would see international same-sex marriages recognised in Australia.
“Following successful votes in the New Zealand, UK, and France, this vote will ensure every MP’s position is clear before the election,” Mr Bandt told Fairfax Media. “Tony Abbott and Julia Gillard will have an opportunity to get behind the tide of history.”
But will they?
TONY ABBOTT – Probably not, given the fact that the Coalition’s position remains firmly opposed with Mr Abbott signalling that his party-room would only revisit the debate after the September 14th election, and that even then there would not be “much enthusiasm” for a vote.
JULIA GILLARD – Who the hell knows! Although Prime Minister Julia Gillard remains stubbornly opposed to any change to the Marriage Act, Labor MPs have been freed from the normal party strictures, allowing them to vote with their conscience on a proposal that recent polls show has overwhelming public support.
Thankfully, it is not just solely up to Tony Abbott or Julia Gillard.
So to all those Aussies reading this, make sure you get involved, let you local MP know where you stand. They may be the ones voting on this, but they answer to us!
Jess Buffett 