So, let’s kick my jetlagged (aka lazy) post-holiday butt into gear with a good old blog hop and giveaway! It’s quite fitting that the theme for this hop is Equal Rights as I just returned from a trip San Francisco. We arrived on the day that the Supreme Court ruled against DOMA and there was quite a party going on in te Castro.
I’ve been quite lucky in the sense that, despite being a lesbian, I never really had to fight for anything. I never considered myself any different from anyone else, because (as cheesy as it may sound), even when I first realised I liked girls as a teenager, I always did know that ‘love is love’. Of course, I didn’t grow up in Russia, Africa or the Middle East. I was born in liberal Belgium, where we’ve had the right to marry since 2003 (that’s 10 years!) and where I joined an LGBT youth group at the tender age of 16. And what a difference it made to just be able to be myself among peers.
When I was 18 I had the opportunity to attend a gay camp, where LGBT youngsters from all over the country united for a few days of being completely un-judged and totally accepted. Because, as easy as it is for me to say now, so many years later, that I never experienced any problems with the fact that I’m a lesbian, I fully realise I owe this for a large part to the LGBT community I was so lucky to become a part of at such a young age. The generation before me didn’t have that luxury–many teenagers across the globe don’t have it today. And they’re the ones who fought for the rights I have today.
But, thanks to the LGBT community and its relentless fighting spirit, the world is changing. Even in Hong Kong, where I currently live (and where my marriage to my wife is not recognised), the tide seems to be changing somewhat. Last May, after a long battle in court, a transgender woman won the right to marry her boyfriend. I have nothing but gratitude for the LGBT community and what they have achieved even in my short (well, not that short) lifetime.
So, in honour of W, Edie Windsor, and everyone who has ever marched for equal rights, let’s have a giveaway! 😉
Here are the rules:
– There’s a Grand Prize Giveaway hosted by Queer Town Abbey. You can win Amazon gift cards, free e-books and more (all info here >>)Â To enter you’ll need the answer to the following question: Which country was I born in?
– I’m giving away a copy (e-book, any format) of Anything She Wants, Girls Only (Volume Two) and High Rise (The Complete Collection)Â to three lucky commenters (picked at random). To enter leave a comment below (include your e-mail address so I can contact you if you’ve won!)
– Visit The Equal Rights Blog Hop page and hop to as many blogs as you want.
– The hop ends on July 7th (11:59 pm EST), so you have four days to enter the giveaway.
Happy hopping and good luck!
laurie goudge says
thanks for the great blog post! i really enjoyed reading about your experiences!
parisfan_ca@yahoo.com
Molly Church says
Belgium!
where we’ve had the right to marry since 2003 (that’s 10 years!)
You know, I think that’s the most hopeful thing I’ve read all day. It’s fantastic to think that there are places already at ten years (and past it, with the Netherlands). As you say, thanks to the LGBT community and its relentless fighting spirit, the world is changing.
Yes, it is, even if it still is, in many places only doing so reluctantly.
Stacey says
Thanks for the great post! It gives hope to those fighting for rights 🙂
Stacey
staceyprice(AT)gmail.com
Kent Andersen says
Well I’m not gay, so I hope that doesn’t disqualify me. I have been a supporter of equal rights for as long as I have known that truly equal rights really don’t exist. I just don’t understand why the government or society as a whole has any right to tell ANYONE who they can marry! I have been happily married for 33 years as of next week and I can’t imagine what my life would be like today if we had obeyed the Catholic church and not gotten married (my wife grew up in a very strict Catholic family and I am not one of them). I am glad it has gotten better, but there is still a very long way to go!
Cornelia says
Belgium Thanks for the post and hop.Equality is a right for all.
Sherry S. says
I enjoyed your post. Thanks for the giveaway.
sstrode at scrtc dot com
Cathy R says
I enjoyed reading about your experience. Thanks for the giveaway.
romanczukc@yahoo.com
Lisa G says
You were born in Belgium
Wolphcall(at)bellsouth(dot)net
Marie says
You were born in Belgium. Thank you for your blog post and for participating in the hop!
Lance says
Even thought I am heterosexual, I have always supported gay rights as they are basic rights every human should enjoy. Congratulations on your victories and may you have many more.
I have recently found your books and love them. Finished Fool For Love today and gave it a great review on Amazon and Goodreads. I will be reading more of your outstanding work.
Northstars4ever@gmail.com
Harper Bliss says
Thank you very much, Lance!
Sarah_Madison says
Wow! How interesting it has been to get perspectives from people all over the world! You make me want to move to Belgium! Thank you for sharing this with us 🙂 akasarahmadison[at]gmail[dot]com
Carolyn says
Your post just made me smile so much. I LOVE that you grew up that way, and that you’re grateful for it. I hope this generation of kids growing up can have that feeling. Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts and books!
caroaz [at] ymail [dot] com
Beth says
My oldest came out to me in her teens. I was surprised by how hard it was for her to tell me about it. I had raised both my girls to be open minded about things and people. She was shocked by how little I reacted. Apparently some of her friends didn’t have parents that were as accepting.
carolcobun @ yahoo.com
Emily W. says
I loved your post, thanks for sharing! I’ve never heard of gay camps before, they sound like wonderful opportunities.
tiger-chick-1(at)hotmail(dot)com