Saturday, January 23, 2010

GLBT Mini-Challenge for January: Importance

"They're saying that this (civil unions) is a civil rights issue. Martin Luther King was never able to change his color from black to white, but people have left the homosexual movement."**
This is a direct quote by JoAnne Georgi who is encouraging our lawmakers to vote against civil unions in Hawaii.

What Georgi fails to realize is that sexual orientation is hard wired in each of us. I don't wake up each morning and decide if it's going to be a gay or straight day for me. All of my days are gay and fulfilling. It's who I am.

GLBT literature is important because it helps people know us better and become less afraid. It also made a significant impact on my coming out as a gay man. Reading the personal experiences of people who walked a similar path in life gave me courage to be who I am.

I'll be posting more GLBT reviews soon. In the meantime be sure to join my contest for a free copy of, The Lunatic, The Lover and The Poet, by Myrlin A. Hermes. It's a new book in GLBT literature. Deadline to enter is February 14.

For more posts on the importance of GLBT literature, refer to the GLBT Reading Challenge website.

**Opening quotation from, "Kauai Reacts to Vote, by Michael Levine, The Garden Island Newspaper, Saturday, January 23, 2009.

5 comments:

  1. Good luck in Hawai'i! Unfortunately, you're going to need it if you are going to stop hurtful people from imposing their will on everyone.

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  2. If people had a choice in sexuality, the world would be a very different place. It amazes me people still think like this.

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  3. Amanda, I'm surprised that people think like this too. It upsets me that some individuals see being gay as a personal choice.

    Helen, thanks and we need all the help we can get. Civil Unions passed the Senate on Friday and is now waiting for action in the House.

    Take care and Aloha,

    Rob

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  4. Its lovely that there are people like you out there ready to put others right.

    What does sexuality matter - what matters is love and loving relationships.

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  5. I agree, Becky, that love is all that matters. Unfortunately, our Hawaii legislature does not agree.

    The bill for civil unions was passed by the Senate and the House decided to not vote on the issue this pass week. It's an election year and I think civil rights is not big concern.

    I have to admit that I'm hurt. I'm wondering how it would feel to straight couples if they were the minority and told they could not have the same rights as others.

    Take care and thanks everyone for your comments.

    Aloha from Rob

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Aloha! Thanks for taking time to talk story. Your comment will be posted soon.

Ho'ola'i na manu i ke aheahe

"The birds poise quietly in the gentle breeze."
Said of those who are at peace with the world, undisturbed and contented.