Hi there! My name is Kim Fielding. I'm the author of several novels that feature gay characters. The links for the books are down on the lower right hand side of this page.
My day job is professor. This semester, some of the students in one of my classes did a project that involved interviewing victims of hate crimes. Here's a brief excerpt from one of those interviews:
When I was a junior my mom found out [I was gay]. She took me out of school, home-schooled me, and took me to church. She was hoping the priest could "cure" me. Throughout high school days I was occasionally beat up. I could deal with that. My mom wanting to cure me? That was just ridiculous because I did not need curing.... College is amazing. I have the occasional verbal taunt but for the most part I am accepted. That is such a good feeling.
A reminder that hate sometimes begins at home. And that simple acceptance--such a basic thing really--can be a wonderful gift.
I am giving away one ebook copy of my novel Good Bones! To win, simply comment here with your email address by midnight Pacific time on May 20. I'll choose a winner at random on the morning of the 21st, and will notify the winner via email.
And while you're at it, follow me here or on Facebook. :-)
For more posts and prizes, visit Hop Against Homophobia--and the other 200+ blogs that are participating.
savannateague@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteOh, what a tough project for students to do. Unsurprising a lot could be learned from it. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeletecojazzchick AT yahoo DOT com
I need to win because a. I love your books. b. I love your books. c. I never win anything, and d. May 21 is my birthday.
ReplyDeleteJust sayin'....
UGH what bothers me so much about that "H" word is when it hurts our kids, and when that hurt comes from their own blood. Never mind the outside forces, the small minded people who won't take a minute to see the person and not the sexuality. I believe the teachings begin at home and hopefully with the newer generation they will teach love and not hate.
ReplyDeleteGreat post.
thank you for sharing this with us today. I think this is an important cause that needs the spotlight shining on it.
ReplyDeletemusings-of-a-bookworm@hotmail.co.uk
Talking from position of a straight person - my period at uni was really eye-opening and mind-broadening experience. I formed many friendships, some with gay and lesbian people. I noticed a huge difference to high school times. I wished my GLBT friends knew It Gets Better...
ReplyDeleteJoan
0401romance(at)gmail(dot)com
Por suerte, en España el matrimonio entre homosexuales está plenamente aceptado.
ReplyDeleteEs muy emocionante ver a padres ya ancianos o abuelos, asistir a la boda de los nietos o hijos con sus parejas, sin ser por ello motivo de escándalo.
La PERSONA es lo que cuenta, no sus preferencias sexuales.
Lo digo y lo mantengo: vive y deja vivir.
It's bad enough the poor kid has to deal with that kind of behavior in the "real world". Shouldn't have to deal with it at home. I'm sure college felt like freedom.
ReplyDeleteThanks for taking part in the hop!
lkbherring64(at)gmail(dot)com
The world needs more people like you and the folks above.
ReplyDeletequinnsmythwood(at)gmail(dot)com
Things are changing. Now fast enough, but they are changing. The way my children talk about their gay friends would have been unthinkable when I was at school.
ReplyDeletethea_bromine@fastmail.fm
Would love a copy... :)
ReplyDeletehawk_soaring
mardi.studer@gmail.com
As a parent I cannot understand stories like this.
ReplyDeleteThank you for participating and for the giveaway.
andreagrendahl AT gmail DOT com
Wise words.
ReplyDeleteI encourage my children to accept people how they find them, regardless of what others think. I say if you like them, you like them.Suze
Littlesuze@hotmail.com
You are an amazing author and an amazing person!
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your stories and your wonderful thoughts!
Tabatha Hansen
mmparanormalromance@gmail.com
www.mmparanormalromance.wordpress.com
I'm enjoying the posts for this great blog hop :)
ReplyDeletepenumbrareads(at)gmail(dot)com
I just can't understand how someone who is lucky enough to have a child can reject them for any reason let alone for such a small part of what makes up the whole of a person.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the giveaway and for participating in the blog hop!
qbeeqt@yahoo.com
Gee, some parents shouldn't be allowed to breed! :-(
ReplyDeleteGreat post!
Barb
Thank you for the post. Educating our youth is very important and the key to eradicating homophobia.
ReplyDeleteYvette
yratpatrol@aol.com
Thank you so much for participating in the hop. I hope that this helps to spread the word and that one day a hop like this will no longer be needed. I have shown many of the post to my nieces and nephews. We recently have been discussing how damaging bullying is and how innocent remarks can make you be seen as being a bully. One of the things that makes me mad is when I hear...you're so gay... pisses me off. These post have helped them already. I heard my nephew stand up to someone that called someone else a hurtful name... I was so proud. Thank you all for helping by sharing hurtful and/sad memories and your personal views/message.
ReplyDeleteI pray one day for equality for EVERYONE not just some.
forettarose@yahoo.com
I already have this book and loved it, just stopping by to say thanks for participating.
ReplyDeleteKim, I am so sorry.
ReplyDeleteI was told by a very wise gay man that because I am straight I am afforded priviledges in this life I am not even aware of that he is not.
That comment hit me like a ton of bricks because he was absolutely right!
I am not a talented non-fiction writer like yourself. Actually I do not write books at all. I write for a gay adult studio in Europe but this is a cause I feel very strongly about.
http://shadowsterling.blogspot.com/2012/04/studio-i-write-for.html
Apparently there is no category for straight gal who writes for a gay adult porn studio but the folks who organized this Hop have been gracious enough to let me participate.
If we all continue to stand together this WILL end in our lifetime!
With great respect,
Shadow Sterling
Homophobia is definitely one of the worst types of discrimination in that it can take place in a person's own home. The family who should be the first to support you being the ones to turn on you first is something truly awful.
ReplyDeleteThanks for participating in the blog hop.
lmbrownauthor at gmail dot com
That is so heartbreaking. I feel so sorry for that kid, and everyone like him.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing.
Erica
eripike at gmail dot com
Thanks for participating in the HOP.
ReplyDeletegisu29(at)gmail(dot)com
Thank you for sharing. I like the project you did. I'm in school to be a teacher and I want to make sure my classroom is a safe and nonjudgmental environment where kids are free to be themselves and not have to be scared. It's nice to meet other teachers that go out of their way to help spread the message of tolerance and acceptance. Thanks again for sharing and participating!
ReplyDeletetiger-chick-1(at)hotmail(dot)com
Thank you for the post. I loved the hop.
ReplyDeletepeggy1984@live.com
how true that hate often starts at home. it's wonderful that your student was able to overcome that and find strength in a different environment.
ReplyDeleteemily_goober AT yahoo DOT COM