Thursday, May 17, 2012

Welcome to Hop Against Homophobia

We're both happy to be part of this year's Hop Against Homophobia.

If you're a regular reader of our blog, welcome back.

If you landed here as one stop on your hop, Welcome!

As part of the Blog Hop Against Homophobia, we're participating with other bloggers in offering a giveaway to one person who leaves a comment on this post. At the end of the post you can find details about how to enter a drawing for a $25.00 gift card to the publishing venue of your choice (Amazon, B&N, All Romance e-Books, or one of your choosing.)

To visit the other blogs participating in this Hop, chick here. We're #135 out of hundreds who are participating.

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Why do we care about homophobia? We both have two very close friends we went to high school with who are still alive today after going through periods of depression and suicidal thoughts after coming out to their family when they were teens.

What do you say to your parent when they look at you with horror and disgust and ask, "How could you do this to us?"

Who do you turn to when you're 16-years-old and they say, "Pack some clothes and get out of here. You can find some other place to live."

Does homophobia hurt anyone? We think the answer is it hurts us all. 
               Mothers, tell your children:
               By quick, you must be strong.
               Life is full of wonder,
               Love is never wrong.

               Remember how they taught you,
               How much of it was fear.
               Refuse to hand it down -
               The legacy stops here.

~Melissa Etheridge, "Silent Legacy," Yes I Am, 1993
How homophobic are you? Frontline (a production of The Public Broadcasting System in the U.S.) has a homophobia questionnaire you can take. Known as the Wright, Adams, and Bernat Homophobia Scale, the questionnaire is designed to measure your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors with regards to homosexuality. You can find the questionnaire here.
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Homophobia is a very serious problem, but the bloggers who are participating in this Hop wanted to offer a little incentive to direct people to their site to hear a little bit about how serious the problem is.

We're having a random drawing of people who leave a comment no later than 12 midnight on Monday, May 20, 2012, the last day of the Blog Hop.

Here's all you have to do to be entered in the random drawing:

Leave a comment on this post, along with your valid email address.

We will give you one extra entry in the drawing if you are an Official Follower of our blog by midnight (Eastern time), May 20, 2012. Just click the Join this site blue bar on the right and sign up. If you're already a "Follower," you automatically will have one extra entry if you leave a comment.

We will announce the winner in a special post on Monday, May 21, 2012. We'll send you an email notifying you that you won and give you 48 hours to claim your gift card.

125 comments:

  1. HOP HOP HOP! You guys rock! Woah, I rhymed!

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    1. Oh and reposted on Facebook! This is awesome.

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    2. HOP HOP HOP to you, too, Becky! ;)

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  2. Thanks for your post. I took the quiz and was labeled strongly homophobic which shocked the heck out of me, so I went back and realized I had switched the agree and disagree numbers. So yes I'm a dork and didn't need a survey to tell me that : D

    cojazzchick AT yahoo DOT com

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    1. LOL!!!! That's so funny! Glad you went back and got the right answers plugged in! Whew!

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  3. SO proud to know you both! So proud to be a part of this event!!!

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  4. As a parent, I can't imagine treating my child that way. It breaks my heart to hear stories like that. :( Hope your friends are alright now.

    Thanks for taking part in the hop!

    lkbherring64(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. Hi Lisa. Yeah, it is heartbreaking. They've both done a good job of finding other people to give them the love they deserve. I think the scars are still there, but at least they're not feeling so alone now. ♥

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  5. Thanks for posting about the hop. It's because of you guys that I found out about it a while ago :). My contribution is at http://caethesfaron.com/coming-out-against-homophobia.

    You guys are awesome. I already follow your site in feedly, but I'll go ahead and join the site too!

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    1. Hey Caethes! Thanks for giving your link. We'll check it out!

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  6. Hop, hop, hop! Hey guys! Thanks for participating in this. I would never treat my children like that but I know there are many people out there who do.

    *hugs*

    loiuse021@gmail.com

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  7. Its a great thing everyone is doing. Hopefully this will raise awareness and get people motivated to realize the GLBT community is no different than anyone and to accept others.

    Araya313@gmail.com

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    1. Yeah, hopefully raising awareness will help.

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  8. I know one who was kicked out at eighteen, on his birthday. I wish I could go back in time, pick him up and have him stay with me. But I can't go back, so I can only do what I can for today and the future.

    Thanks so much for being a part of this guys :) I've been a follower a long time now. Love your blog.

    Erica

    eripike at gmail dot com

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    1. Hi Erica! Good point about how you can pick up where you are and make a contribution now. And a HUGE thank you for helping get the Hop organized!

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  9. Thank you for participating in this wonderful event. I can not imagine not loving and accepting my children regardless of thier choices. Who they love is included on that list. I just want them to be happy with thier choices. My heart goes out to all of those who don't have that support.
    musicalfrog at comcast.net

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    1. Hi Patti. It is hard to imagine. Glad your children have your support and love. Glad you stopped by.

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  10. I took the test, I rate as "high-grade non-homophobic." Which sounds like I should be put in a container with one of those danger signs on it "high-grade" people, stand back. :-)

    I thought it was interesting that the researcher, in 1996 said he had trouble finding straight men who scored as high-grade non-homophobic. I wonder if 20 years (nearly) later he'd find more young straight men who are more-so than at the time. I'd hope so.

    cdn_tam(at)yahoo.ca

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    1. LOL, Tam!! Whoa! Attention everyone: "High-grade Non-Homophobic Tam" is in the house! LOL

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  11. I am a better person for having you two in my life.

    How could love be wrong? Answer: It's never wrong. My loving you and you loving each other is a beautiful thing. Always.

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    1. Hey Susan! Your love and support has made the two of us better people. And, yep, love is never wrong! ♥

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  12. Hi Matty & Bradley. So great that you are participating in HAH. These blogs are amazing!

    My heart breaks for those kids who come out and then suffer abuse from the people who are supposed to love them unconditionally. As a parent myself, I cannot imagine hurting my child that way. Hurting them for just being who they are. I get so freakin emotional and angry when I think about this and I know I don't express myself very well but I am so glad that all of you bloggers are out there today for HAH. Because you never know what a difference a story, show of support or just basic human compassion can make. So thanks guys :)

    fionablue23@gmail.com

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    1. Hey Fiona! Glad you stopped by! That last sentence of yours is so true.

      "Because you never know what a difference a story, show of support or just basic human compassion can make."

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  13. Hi Matt and Brad. I'm not an official follower but i do check in with you a couple of times a week to see how ypu are doing - hope you've recovered from the exams now.
    As a mother, i can't understand not loving your child, you may not like their actions at times.
    Suze
    Littlesuze@hotmail.com

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    1. Hi Suze! Yep, we're both officially "recovered" from final exams now! ;-)

      Glad you stopped by today!

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  14. If there's one thing I will never understand is how parents can stop loving their own children just because they happen to be gay. As a parent I want my kids to know that nothing could make me stop loving them. But more than that I want to teach them "acceptance" (don't really like this word because it makes it sound like we are ok with something even though it is wrong) toward every people they will encounter in their lives.

    Matt & Brad, thank you for the differences you are making in this world by being you and sharing your love and experiences on you blog with us.
    And thank you for being part of this hop : "There's nothing that can't be done if we raise our voice as one. ~ Michael Jackson"

    *hugs to you both*

    (don't count me in, just wanted to tell you how awesome I think you both are.)

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    1. Hey Carnell! Yeah, it's really hard for us to understand how some parents put all kinds of conditions on their love.

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  15. Hey guys, awesome post--I had no idea there was a questionnaire for this kinda thing.

    And yeah. It still hurts when my parents (who are generally cool, but, um, archaic as hell) make some offhand comment that they don't even realize is homophobic. And I'm 31. When I was 16... man.

    Thanks for making a difference through everything you do, so less kids have to go through that. <3

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    1. Hey Katey! We always love seeing you stop by.

      For those of you who haven't read Katey's books, there's a "book giveaway" of three of her books over at Joyfully Jay's blog. check it out:

      http://www.joyfullyjay.com/2012/05/hop-against-homophobia.html

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  16. I am so sorry for your friends. I can not even imagine kicking a child out of my home. I love my kids and they are perfect just how they are.

    I love your blog. You two never fail to make me smile. (Or cry) depending on the post.

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  17. You don't have to enter me in the drawing. (Save your money for school and for special weekend getaways, dammit!) I just wanted to tell you boys what a great post this is, and what a great example you provide every day -- as individuals and as a couple. <3

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  18. This is an amazing post and since I wanted to take that little survey which is a big piece of what made me smile was the result. (Which I already knew.)


    4 - Your score rates you as "high-grade non-homophobic(My results. ~Winks~ No entering me I'm just along for the ride.)

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  19. Love should always triumph over hate and I believe it always will :)

    KimberlyFDR
    kimberlyFDR@yahoo.com

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  20. I'm keeping wonderful company on this hop - hugs to you both. It is so sad when learned prejudices and hate can triumph over a parent's love for their child. Or over anyone's caring for their fellow human beings. With all you do every day, with casual chats to classmates and simple PDAs and heartfelt posts, you move us forward in understanding. There is a clear generational shift in any survey that measures homophobia across people of all ages. You guys are winning the war. (and don't enter me - let's encourage someone who doesn't come here daily to get their fix of unconditional love.)

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    1. Hi Kaje! Well, your presence here helps make the company here wonderful! ♥

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  21. I follow your blog and have to say that I love to read your comments, it's wonderful to see such a good relationship.

    Anything that helps push back homophobia is a good thing - I wish people were just allowed to live life how they want and need to.

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  22. Forgot my email address diannakayATgmailDOTcom

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    1. Whew! Glad you came back with your addy! ♥

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  23. Good post. Interesting survey. I don't understand parents that react that way. They are still your child!
    Tj
    richards851(at)sbcglobal(dot)net

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  24. As you know I've had my own experiences with homophobia and homophic parents

    Hugs

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    1. ((((HUGS))) to you Ivie! ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

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  25. I'm a parent of 2 little boys and I can't imagine telling them to move out because they chose to love boys rather than girls. I don't understand how parents can do that and still claim to love their kids.

    andreagrendahl AT gmail DOT com

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    1. Hi Adara. Your boys are fortunate. Thanks for stopping by.

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  26. It breaks my heart that some parents can be so cruel. Your friends are very lucky to have the two of you in their lives. *hugs* diannewrites2(at)hotmail(dot)com

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    1. Thanks Dianne. We're glad these friends are in our lives, too.

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  27. thank you for sharing this with us today. I think this is an important cause that needs the spotlight shining on it.

    musings-of-a-bookworm@hotmail.co.uk

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    1. Thanks Kerry. We agree. Glad you came by today. ;-)

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  28. Hi Brad & Matt,

    Stopped by later than usual. Had to actually work in the office today!:) But I couldn't not comment on such an important day. Thank you both for all the truly wonderful work you do - by sharing part of your lives with us, and letting others see how beautiful and full of love your relationship is.

    (I'm not entering.)

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    1. Hi Susan. Well, better late than never, huh? ;-) Thanks for you kinds words.

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  29. I'm so glad that you two are a part of this as well. You are very influential voices and I totally know that one day you both are going to do great things (and I'm not just saying that because I'm a proud big bro).

    So very proud of you both, especially for the link and the lyrics, awesomeness.

    You know I'm not entering so don't even worry about it, just wanted to say that I'm proud of you.

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    1. Hi Vic. Your faith and belief in us means a lot. Thank you!

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    2. Of course. You're welcome. *hugz to the both of you*

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  30. Thanks for sharing in this. I hope one day it won't be necessary. Needs to be a 365 day thing.
    cmjg@rogers.com

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  31. Ok, I am way too emotional for this but I will try to keep it brief. First, DO NOT enter me in the drawing. I think it is excellent that the two of you are participating in this. It truly does break my heart to think about all those who have lost their parents or other family memebers love and support just because they are gay, lesbian, etc. etc. I truly don't understand how someone can say they love their child one day and suddenly the next they turn them away. If you ask me anyone who can do that to their child never truly loved them to begin with, not the type of unconditional love you are supposed to give your child anyway. A lot of people might not like how I say that but right now, I really could give a.....yeah sorry, told I am too emotional right now. It's just disgusting how much hate and discrimination there is in this world when it comes to this. Love is Love plain and simple. There are no if ands or buts when it comes to real true love whether it's amongst family or a relationship or frienship, it doesn't matter. If you can wake up one day and say I don't love you and want nothing to do with you because you are this or that, than you didn't truly love the person to begin with. It's sick, and heartbreaking, but to me that's the truth of it. I try to teach my own son the same thing, that love is love no matter what. To, at the very least,let others be who they are without prejudice. But if more people would at least teach their children that last one, there would be a lot less hate and discrimination. Acceptance may not be the best thing to say, as Carnell pointed out, but at least it would be a start and much better than the hate going on now.

    Matty and Bradley, sorry for the little rant up there. You two are such an inpiration and I truly wish nothing but the best for the two of you. You have touched so many lives and I have no doubt you have helped more people, be they teens or adults, then you will probably ever know. Don't ever doubt the power the two of you have to help people both in your everyday lives and here on your blog. The two of are so kind and caring, brave and strong, you are truly excellent role models for anyone to follow. I am so very thankful to have the two of you in my life and that you continue to share your journey with us through all the ups and downs. Don't ever stop being who you are and always be true to yourselves. Love you both always!
    Angel

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    1. Hi Angel. That's nice about you saying we've maybe touched other lives. And yes, being who we are and being true to ourselves is key. ;) ♥

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  32. I've been lurking for a couple of weeks now...I always end up squeeing like a little Muppet girl at the end of each post. Just by telling us about your lives, you're doing a great thing. Even if they don't know one in everyday life, your readers can all say they know not just an amazing same-sex couple, but a perfect couple, period. Love is love, and true love wins out every time. You two are proof of that. Happy anniversaries (I hope you celebrated 'em all!), and happy belated birthday to Matt. XO!

    Best wishes, Trix (vitajex[at]aol[dot]com)

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    1. Hi Trix! Glad you came out of lurking! ;-) And squeeing like a little Muppet girl is totally permitted!! ;-) ♥

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  33. I've never commented before but I melt with every post I read here. Your love is amazing - thank you for sharing it with us :-) Hopefully in our lifetimes acceptance of gay love will be the norm rather than the exception.

    SarahM

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    1. Hi Sarah. Glad you stopped by today. We certainly hope you're right that acceptance of all love will be the norm! Thanks! ♥

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  34. Thanks for participating. I took the quiz and was rated a high grade non-homophobic. And then read that out of all the test subjects, the scientist couldn't find any that fit this same profile. Disappointing and heartbreaking, and one of the reasons we need things like this blog hop to help bring awareness to this serious issue.

    tiger-chick-1 (at) hotmail (dot) com

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    1. Hey Emily! And welcome to another "high-grade non-homophobic"! LOL. Glad you stopped by!

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  35. It has never, and will never, made sense to me how anyone could turn their back on another person because of something as inoffensive a facet of who they are. Whether that person is attracted to, and falls in love with, men, women, both, either. Whether they identify as male, female, both, neither and whether that gender is one they were biologically born as or not. It is no different to whether they were born with blue eyes or brown. If they have a tendency toward math or art. These are all inherent parts of who that person is. For a parent to turn away from their child for being honest about who they are, who they always were. For a parent to tell their child they can no longer love them, even though they are same person they have always been. Those people are not parents. A parent loves their child unconditionally. A parent is proud of their child's achievements. A parent encourages and supports their child in their life's journey. A parent does not ridicule or withdraw their love. Ever. I hope this blog hop reminds people to stand up to unequality, discrimination and suffering when they are confronted with it, because it's the right thing to do. Injustice to one is an injustice to all.

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    1. Hi Aniko! Thanks for your comment. You summed things up nicely! Especially like how you said, "Injustice to one is an injustice to all."

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  36. "High-grade non-homophobic"

    Sounds like an ad for something... lol!!

    I don't have kids, but I have a nephew I've helped raise. I've done my best to make sure he knows I don't care who he ends up loving and hopefully I've done well. I can't imagine not being accepting of a life you actually created. No matter what, they're always a part of you.

    lina7391(at)hotmail.com

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    1. Your neice is lucky to have an aunt like you! Thanks for stopping by! ;)

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  37. I don't think I will ever understand how parents can turn against their kids this way. After having a child, raising him for 15, 20 years, how can anyone POSSIBLY stop loving their kid because they love differently than some people do? I can't imagine stopping to love my son just because he loved another boy (or even 2 or 3, for that matter!) I hope someday things like hating your child and/or kicking them out of the house doesn't happen any more.

    blhouse99@gmail.com

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    1. Hey Barb! It is hard to understand. ♥

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  38. I'm not going to repeat the sentiments expressed here as everyone has stated my feelings exactly. I just can't comprehend the concept of denying my own child. If I could, I would take those kids into my own home.
    Seritzko AT verizon DOT net

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    1. Hi Suzie. Yeah, we've both tried to imagine what goes on inside the head of a parent who disowns their own flesh and blood. We still can't make it have some kind of sense.

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  39. I love you guys. And I am so going to buy the Melissa Etheridge song you quoted. Awesome!!
    cherienoel@yahoo.com

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    1. Hey Cherie! Love you, too! Yeah, we thought her lyrics were pretty awesome.

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  40. Just love the little quoted verses! and another 'high-grade non-homophobic' joins the group here!

    Thank you guys for the post, and I'm so glad your friends are fine now (horrid, horrid parents to do that!!)

    and please don't enter me in the raffle - I'd rather YOU kept your pennies :)

    Love and Hugs
    Carole-Ann

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    1. ... I read "YOU kept your penises" LOL, and I'm still laughing. Guess I have a dirty mind ;)

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    2. Hi Carole-Anne. YAY for another 'high-grade non-homophobic.' Where do they get these labels? ♥

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    3. Maddie! Well, pennies, penises... That's funny! ♥

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  41. Your blog is great! I've spent the last few hours going through various posts, you guys are both great writers. I love how you both described the day you met, there was so much detail and emotion that I felt like I was there!

    Congratulations on your two year Anniversary!

    Oh and I am a GFC follower. (Jennifer S)

    ineedtoread76 [at] gmail.com

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    1. Hey Jen! Thanks for stopping by. Hope you didn't need any eye drops after reading the whole blog! And thanks for the Anniversary greetings! ♥

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  42. Yay, I did it!! I read your blog from start to finish, starting with the first post you made over a year ago and finishing with this one :) It took me a couple of days of reading, but it was worth it ;) Tough my TBR list might not agree with me because it's soooooo much longer now *pouts* Anyways loved reading your blog, your characters (personalities?) and love for each other really shine through, it feels like I know you guys now. What else?? Sometimes it feels like you're older then me.... and I just turned 25 (on the 13th, May babies have more fun!! Am I right? *wink* Oooh oohhh Matt, are you as stubborn as I am sometimes?)... and like you have the whole relationship-thing pretty much figured out.... gosh you seem to do a lot more (serious) talking with each other then me and the bf ever did :P And don't believe people when they tell you your relationship can't make it, I've been together with my bf for 5 years and almost 5 months, so that'd make me 19 (?) when we meet.

    On to the HOP. I can't understand people who hate other people... it's like if I don't like cauliflower I don't eat cauliflower, simple as that, and I don't tell other people they can't eat cauliflower 'cause it's not any of my business, and I don't treat people who it cauliflower badly, 'cause what good would that do? So yeah. What was I talking about....? I just think people should accept (and be more accepting of) differences in other people. If we were all the same, the world would be soooo boring.

    I guess I'm lucky, I know my parents love me no matter what. And when I have my own children in the future they will know I love them unconditionally, because there should be no conditions on love.

    Oh and I scored: Your score rates you as "high-grade non-homophobic." :D Wouldn't that be fun printed on a t-shirt? "High-grade non-homophopic" Try saying that three times super fast :P I keep thinking highly contagious... Hmm I'll stop babbling (is that a word?) now ;)

    Hugs Madde
    (PS. sorry for weirdness languague-weise, English isn't my first language :P)
    (PPS. I was supposed to leave my e-mail too, knew I was forgetting something: lillflikkan13(at)yahoo(dot)com)

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    1. Hi Madde! After all that blog reading, hope your TBR list didn't grown much!! LOL. Thanks for leaving your comments! They're very much appreciated! ♥

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  43. I think parents who kick their GLBT children out of the house are cowards. They are more worried about what people think than what is best for their kids. It makes me angry that some people can be so weak. My hope is that the children will grow up to create their own family and community.

    geishasmom73 AT yahoo DOT com

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    1. Hi Stacie. Yeah, we share your anger at the parents and hope all kids who come from a family that discards them like trash will be able to find true love.

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  44. I really hope one day no child/person ever has to go through that. You should love your children NO MATTER WHAT!! I am raising my kids to love everyone for who they are no matter who they love. I really think your site helps me to see all sides of things and makes me a better person. Thanks for sharing :)

    allstarjumperstx2@gmail.com

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    1. Hi Christy. Thanks. That makes us both feel good you think our site helps in some way. ♥

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  45. I showed a bunch of these post to the teens in my family to show them how hurt some "innocent" remarks are to many others. I get so annoyed when my nephew says "you're so gay". ERRRR drove me crazy. I know he didn't mean anything by it but it is so wrong to use that as a saying. I think that these post have helped. Thank you all for sharing with us!
    forettarose@yahoo.com

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    1. Foretta, that's so cool you showed some of our posts to the teens in your family. Thanks for taking a stand about the whole "That's so gay" thing! ♥

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  46. Boys: You tell your friends that you are now their family -- because we have to stick together when others abandon us. Your support keeps them strong and hopefully they have gotten past the rejection, altho I don't think one ever truly gets over that.

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    1. Yeah. We doubt that anyone ever fully gets over being discarded by their family. That's got to be a huge and deep scar. Those two friends of ours? We feel like we're part of the family they're creating. They're certainly part of ours. ♥

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  47. Just adding my support with all the rest. It makes me sad that people waste so much energy on hate. We're all different and we should celebrate that not look for ways to bring each other down. Life has enough problems for many people without homophobes making it worse. I'm glad you're two happy guys! Long may your love continue.

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    1. Thanks Barbara. Glad you stopped by and left your comment! ♥

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  48. Great post! I cannot understand how any parent can turn on their own child. There's nothing my son could do to make me stop loving him.

    rhondaw1965(@)yahoo(.)com

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    1. Your son is fortunate to have you as a parent, Rhonda. Thanks for stopping by!

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  49. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  50. Children should feel safest at home but that is not always the case. Let's teach love not hate!
    Yvette
    yratpatrol@aol.com

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  51. Exactly, Yvette! Thanks for your comment!

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  52. I just stopped by to say how much I love you two!!!! Together we can all make a difference....I truly believe that....

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    1. Hi Em! Thank you. Thanks for stopping by! ♥

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  53. I am pretty sure I have stopped by here before but probably never commented before.

    That parents can disown children for being who they are is something that has to end. Hopefully one day it will.

    Thanks for joining the hop.

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    1. Hello L.M.! Glad you came by and left a comment!

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  54. Thank you for participating and for the great post. I thought I was a follower but just went trough them all to be sure (I have now rectified that situation).

    normanielsen@bigpond.com

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    1. Hi N.J.! Glad you're "official" now! LOL ;-)

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  55. Great post you guys. I am so happy that things seem to be looking up for your friends. You guys are awesome!

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    1. Thanks, JJ. Yeah, they're doing good. We think you're pretty awesome, also!

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  56. Interesting post. Thanks for participating in the HOP.

    gisu29(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. Hi gigi! Thanks! And thanks for stopping by!!

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  57. Loved your post. I often wonder about your friends, and how they are doing. As a Mom, it breaks my heart to think about how completely their families have let them down. I will never understand this.

    But with friends like you, their new family will only grow and strengthen. Give them a hug from all of us, ok?

    I found a book on goodreads that might offer some encouraging words and insight for them:

    http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12843717-the-letter-q

    take care,
    Debbie

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    1. Hi Debbie! Yeah, they're both happy in each other's arms now! Will definitely give them a hug! Thanks so much for the book link. We'll pass it along to them! ♥

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  58. Thanks so much for participating in this great hop!
    OceanAkers@aol.com

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    1. Hi Juliana! Thanks! And thanks to you for participating in the Hop also!

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  59. Thank you for the post. I did the questionnaire you mentioned. I think it tackles only strong cases of homophobia and let slide very subtle ones, but we have to start somewhere (I'm a sociology major and I know how difficult it is to construct a good questionnaire).

    Joan
    0401romanc(at)gmail(dot)com
    + extra entry for following.

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  60. Hi Joan! Thanks for stopping by. Brad has taken a sociology course and really enjoyed it. Thanks for joining the Hop!

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  61. What a wonderful post. I just wish this hop didn't need to exist. I am a mother and I've had many friends and some family who were gay and bi and I've always found it heartbreaking that they've ever had to defend themselves. The day my kids were born my mother told me that I'd better never let them date outside their race or be gay. I told her flat out that I didn't care who they loved as long as they were loved and treated properly and that if she wanted to be a part of my kids lives she'd never say anything like that to them. We raised our kids to know that no matter their orientation it was normal and that they would always be loved. Now as adults we see them pass these fndamental truths onto others, they do not hesitate to accept everyne for who they are nor do they hesitate to defend others. LOL! Even my tiny little 4'11 daughter....I've watched her take on a man over 6 feet tall when he dared to make a snide comment about someone being gay...and he backed down and apologized! That was one of the proudest moments of my life so far. It is my hope that there are enough of us speaking out that someday none of this will be an issue for anyone and we can live in peace and marry whomever we wish.

    Hugs,
    Pati
    JPM6966@aol.com

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  62. I took the quiz you showed and I could see how the questions could make someone think but I can also see how it wouldn't work that well. Overall though it was interesting.

    burchills AT gmail DOT com

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  63. I'm not a big blog reader, more a general reader, but I kind of got hooked on your blog, boys. I like the videos and little stories, the daily life things. I hope you two will stay happy a long long time ;-) It's like a sweet romance book that continues on and on and on ^^

    phdingo AT web DOT de

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  64. Thanks for being a part of this. I've spent the weekend trying to get Shane Bitney Crone's video out of my head but it's impossible. My heart still aches for them. Living in Canada, where Gay Marriage is mostly legalized, we take so much for granted. I can't believe this is even an issue - marriage or not, partner means partner in every way. You guys rock!

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  65. Thank you for the post. I have really enjoyed the hop.

    peggy1984@live.com

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  66. thanks for participating in this important hop. Please enter me in your contest

    yinyang1062 at yahoo dot com

    thanks

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