Hop Against Homophobia/Transphobia! #HAHAT

Happy International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia!

The Hop Against Homophobia and Transphobia (HAHAT) was created to spread awareness of homophobia, biphobia and transphobia, and to stand together as a writer community against discrimination.

You can continue the hop  HERE!

Oh, and if you get the chance stop by the lovely Jade Crystal’s blog today. She has a wonderful post on Art for Michael!

Hello! Welcome to my little part in this wonderful hop. Have you heard this word before: heteronormativity? This is another new word for me, and one I wish I hadn’t stumbled over:

The body of lifestyle norms that hold that people fall into distinct and complementary genders (man and woman) with natural roles in life. -Wiki

Are you kidding? Is this even a real word? With all the labels people fling at one another, do we really need to make up more of them?

If you’re reading this post, I’m sure you know all about the labels people like to hand out. I’d just like to say, don’t be afraid of them! A label doesn’t define who you are. Usually the people quick to slap labels on you don’t really know you anyway. And most importantly, never let the fear of being labeled as one thing or another keep you from being true to yourself.

That’s not to say that labels can’t hurt, but you can control how you let them affect you. A few years ago it leaked out at work that I’m bisexual. I’m like, ‘Yea, so what?’ My private life is no one’s business. But I was the freak of the week! I live in a very small town. With all the gossip and whispers behind my back, I felt like I was back in high school. I thought I’d left the bullies behind me! (Also thought it probably wasn’t the best time to tell them I also write gay erotic romances!)

There were labels flying left and right. But the difference between the younger me, who used to cringe from mean words and judgments, and the me today is that I no longer hold on to the hurt. I look inside and I like who I see. That allows other people to like me as well.

Keep in mind, I’m painfully, sorrowfully aware that there are circumstances, especially for children and young adults, when it’s dangerous and maybe even life threatening to own certain labels. But I also know there’s a big movement to change that, through support and education.

LGBTQ…more labels! But you know what, this acronym has caught my attention, opened my mind to the diverse and wonderful nature of humans. We’re such beautiful, complex creatures! I’m looking forward to the day when there will be no segregation. We’ll simply all be human beings living together, if not completely at peace, at least with tolerance.
Until then, I think it’s important to acknowledge our differences. The unknown leads to mistrust and fear and hate. If we truly know someone, it’s harder to hate them.

This is probably the main reason I enjoy writing in the m/m erotic romance genre. I’ve met some wonderful people in this writing community who have shared their life journeys. Through them and the research I do for my books, I’m learning that, although we’re all different, love is still love no matter what form it takes.

Be who you are. Because you never know who would love the person you hide. – Unknown.

PRIZE TIME! Comment below for a chance to win a $10 ARe Books Gift Card! Don’t forget to leave your contact info. Also, I’d like to leave you with the link to some of my Free stories as a thank you for stopping by.

Off Sides

Luke Parsons has been denying who he is all his life despite his loneliness, to please his homophobic father. After all, he graduates in eighteen months and can love anyone he desires after that. But when Austin and Riley join his soccer team, the dark beauties quickly steal Luke’s heart and peace of mind. Suddenly, his father’s approval seems less important. Now Luke has to decide to keep his father’s goodwill or throw everything away on a chance at happiness.

This story was written as a part of the M/M Romance Group’s “Love Has No Boundaries” event. Group members were asked to write a story prompt inspired by a photo of their choice. Authors of the group selected a photo and prompt that spoke to them and wrote a short story.

Download for free from MM Romance Group: Dianne Hartsock – Off Sides

Damon’s Touch

Damon’s hunger gnaws at him. He needs to feed soon before desire overrides caution and he enters the village.

For Lacey, the sight of Damon drinking from his brother’s throat should repulse him. Instead, he’s oddly aroused. Damon is all his fantasies come true. Lovely and dangerous.

As Damon’s prisoner, Lacey’s love for his beautiful captor grows, but will love be enough to set them both free?

Download for free from ARe: Dianne Hartsock – Damon’s Touch