International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia is May 17th 2015
People often ask me “Why?”; Why am I an Ally? Why do I fight so hard to support the GBTL community? Why do I write “gay” novels? Why do I insist on having my voice heard? Why do I write “gay” novels?
I’ve decided to answer those questions here for you in honor of the Intentional day against Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia.
Why am I an Ally?
I think this question is the easiest to answer. Because Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia still exist! I live in Canada, a free country where you are free to live where you want, with who you want, to love who you want to marry whom you want, to build a life, and children with whom every you wish to, and yet Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia are still here.
My Friend’s daughter was bulled on Friday, yes! last Friday she was bullied at school for being gay, her and her friends were called “unnatural queers” and several other names by a bully all because they dared to meet for their high school’s Gay-Straight-Alliance club.
I’m an Ally because I hate that my friends have to look around before they hold hands, or kiss? in public? only if they want to risk being called horrible names.
I’m an Ally because as a white, straight (ish) female I have privileges that others do not, and it’s my job to fight for others to have those same rights and freedoms and privileges that I experience.
Why do I fight so hard to support the GBTL community?
The answer is mostly because i’m fighting for myself. I present as straight (I’ve been with the same amazing guy for 4 almost years-He better pop the question soon!) but really i’m bisexual with a preference towards men. Sexuality isn’t black or white it’s a spectrum. My best friend considers himself firmly bisexual, he’s equally attracted to men and women, he just happens to be married to a man. My other friend is queer-gendered, they feel as though as are both or a mix of male and female, and they have a strong preference towards women. My really good friend from university, we’ll call him “Bob”, I went to school with “Bob” he was an awesome classmate, then he left us and we met “Sue” [Side note “Sue” prefers when we talk about her in the past tense that if she was presenting as male we use male pronouns]Sue is amazing she is a transsexual woman, but really she’s a straight woman, She is engaged to the most amazing guy (so exited for heir wedding!).
So I fight not only to support my friends but to support my self. I believe in equality for all.
Why do I write “gay” novels?
Well! As I mentioned previously, I’m attract to men, so two men equals double the fun!! Also my newest book, Duty, Honor, Love, coming out on June 30th features a MMF relationship in that the main character is bisexual. Also there is a book about a transsexual nurse in the pipe line and *gasp* a straight book too! I write about love, and whatever format that takes.
Why do I insist on having my voice heard?
Who do I talk about this issue, why am I known as the go-to person for gender and sexual orientation equality issues, why have I stood on Parliament hill here in Ottawa and screamed at the top of my lungs until I had no voice left that all Canadians deserve equal rights?
Because as a white straight(ish) women, my voice is taken seriously.People listen to me, if I can get one person to reconsider, one person to change their opinion or their view have ONE person say maybe it’s not the end of the world if two people are in love, then I’ve made the world a better place and that’s all I can ask for.
I hope everyone enjoys hopping around the internet and joining in the one voice, one message that Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia is wrong and the only want we are going to change it is through education and love.