Sloan Parker Blog

Two published authors who co-wrote a post-apocalyptic young adult novel were offered agent representation on one condition: that they make a gay character straight or remove him completely from the story. When they shared about the experience, they said…

When you refuse to allow major characters in YA novels to be gay, you are telling gay teenagers that they are so utterly horrible that people like them can’t even be allowed to exist in fiction.

LGBTQ teenagers already get told this. They are four times more likely than straight teenagers to attempt suicide. We’re not saying that the absence of LGBTQ teens in YA sf and fantasy novels is the reason for that. But it’s part of the overall social prejudice that does cause that killing despair.

We wrote this novel so that the teenagers we know—some of whom are gay, and many of whom are not white—would be able, for once, to read a fun post-apocalyptic adventure in which they are the heroes. And we were told that such a thing could not be allowed.

After we thanked the agent for their time, declined the offer, and hung up, Sherwood broke the silence. “Do you think the agent missed that Becky and Brisa [supporting characters] are a couple, too? Do they ever actually kiss on-page? No? I’M ADDING A LESBIAN KISS NOW!”

- Rachel Manija Brown and Sherwood Smith, From Authors Say Agents Try to “Straighten” Gay Characters in YA

Happy Valentine’s Day! I hope you all have or find someone to love who also loves and respects you.

Here are a few things I’m loving that I wanted to share.

1. Video of an 80 year old grandmother speaking about her gay son
   “My son is not an issue. He’s a person. Just like you.”

2. If you need some extra words when talking to your lover tonight check out these 47 words to call your lover
   
3. Looking for a gay Valentine or other e-card? Try Out Greetings (that’s where the picture above came from)
4. And lastly, check out what my honey made for my office. Isn’t it great?
   

Hope you have a great week!
Sloan

An amazing young man…

“Zach Wahls, a 19-year-old University of Iowa student spoke about the strength of his family during a public forum on House Joint Resolution 6 in the Iowa House of Representatives. Wahls has two mothers, and came to oppose House Joint Resolution 6 which would end civil unions in Iowa.” (Source: YouTube)

Unfortunately, the Iowa House passed the constitutional ban on same-sex marriage. “In order to become law, the amendment must now pass in the Democratic-controlled Iowa Senate.”

I have hope that more people will listen to Zach Wahls and all he represents.
Sloan

“LeAnn Rimes joined the Gay Men’s Chorus of Los Angeles to pay tribute to LGBT youth everywhere, honoring the memory of those who have taken their lives in desperation, those who struggle with anti-gay bullying and discrimination – and reminding everyone that It Gets Better!” (Source: YouTube)

Another good one in support of marriage equality.

“Edith “Edie” Windsor, who shared her life with her late spouse, Thea Spyer, for 44 years, files a lawsuit against the federal government for refusing to recognize their marriage. The lawsuit challenges the constitutionality of the “Defense of Marriage Act” (DOMA), a federal statute that defines marriage for all federal purposes as a legal union between one man and one woman as husband and wife. Windsor and Spyer were married in Canada in 2007, and were considered married by their home state of New York.” (Source: YouTube)

This is one of my favs!!

From YouTube: “Broadway stars rock out in a celebration of life, in the wake of LGBT suicides across the nation. Please SHARE this original song and video to help send a message of hope and support. Song available October 19th on iTunes, with all download proceeds benefiting The Trevor Project”

October is GLBT History Month. “Beginning October 1, 2010, a new GLBT Icon is featured each day with a video, bio, bibliography, downloadable images and other resources” on glbthistorymonth.com.

Here is this year’s overview video featuring all 31 icons. Take a look and help us celebrate.

And be sure to stop by this blog where, after the recent news of several tragic teen suicides, Katiebabs blogged about her experience to help kids see “it gets better.” She and others are donating up to $775 for 500 comments to The Trevor Project and the Matthew Shepard Foundation. Please stop by and leave a comment to help.

Thanks,
Sloan

After yet another teen suicide by a gay kid who was relentlessly bullied in high school, Dan Savage has started a new project: It Gets Better. He’s collecting YouTube videos of individuals talking about how it does get better after high school.

“If you’re gay or lesbian or bi or trans, and you’ve ever read about a kid like Billy Lucas and thought, “Fuck, I wish I could’ve told him that it gets better,” this is your chance. We can’t help Billy, but there are lots of other Billys out there—other despairing LGBT kids who are being bullied and harassed, kids who don’t think they have a future—and we can help them.”

Here’s the video from Dan and his partner.

Thanks to Bobbejean on Ethan Day’s yahoo group for sharing this link. You can check out the project on YouTube at: www.youtube.com/itgetsbetterproject

Please check it out and tell any gay kid in your life that It Gets Better!!

Thanks,
Sloan

This one was too funny not to share.

Enjoy,
Sloan

Video embedded above. If you can’t view in your reader, try the original blog post.

Thanks to the wonderful PG Forte for sharing this video on Facebook.

“Perry v. Schwarzenegger plaintiffs Paul and Jeff discuss how they met, how they fell in love and why marriage matters to them. This case is about constitutional principles, but it’s also about real people and real stories. This video, and their story, is why we’re in this fight.”  Source

Video embedded above. If you can’t view, try the original blog post.

Cheers,
Sloan