Wednesday, May 16, 2012

Hop Against Homophobia!


It's time! It's the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia. It's the day where we stand up and and say no to homophobic and transphobic discrimination. It's a day where we honor GLBTQ people and their rights and remind the world of the injustice they've gone through, but it's also a day to be celebrated because a lot has been accomplished in fight against homophobia and it's worth noting those things in hope that it will give inspiration and hope.

I'd like to talk about homophobia and transphobia in my home country, Iceland. I've been saying left and right that there isn't much homophobia here, because the people I know aren't homophobic. The media and society here also appear to be very supportive of GLBTQ people, but I felt uncomfortable stating this during this hop, in case I was wrong. So I stopped by the Samtökin 78, The National Queer Organization, last week and spoke with the director, Árni Grétar Jóhannsson. 

Icelandic Prime Minister
Jóhanna Sigurðardóttir
First, Iceland is a small country with around 300,000 inhabitants. The general public is not heavily religious and most of the churches here are liberal and welcoming to everyone (GLBTQ people included). We have a lesbian prime minister, but no one really cares. We have a lot of people in show business who are openly gay and, for the most part, they don't suffer for that. In fact, they're generally more respected for being open about themselves.

Iceland hasn't always been open to homosexuality - far from it. In a 1975 interview with Hörður Torfason, the first Icelandic man to openly admit his homosexuality in a magazine, he talks about how homosexuality shouldn't be anyone's business. He also talked about the hardships he'd gone through because of the rumors of him being gay. Among other things, he couldn't rent an apartment and had to take a lot of verbal (and hinted at physical) abuse. He had to flee the country after the interview, because his life was threatened. This is truly heartbreaking, and the worst thing is that this is still what GLBTQ people have to face today in many countries. But a lot has changed in Iceland since 1975.

Samtökin 78
Árni confirmed that there isn't a lot of homophobia in Iceland. Samtökin 78 has been working tirelessly for 30 years for the Icelandic community to accept GLBTQ and to protect the rights of GLBTQ people. Árni told me that the first thing they did was to take the words "lesbia" and "hommi" and make it their own, so in Iceland it's perfectly acceptable to use those terms (though I feel wary about using "hommi", because "homo" in English is usually offensive). They go to schools and educate the kids. They also get called out to the schools especially if there's extra need (if prejudice pops up in relation to a GLBTQ child, for example). They're also very active in the community and make sure that the government doesn't do anything silly that would compromise the interests of the people they represent. 

Icelandic pop star, Paul Oscar
Working alongside the Samtökin 78 is Paul Oscar, Iceland's most beloved pop singer. I remember him from when I was a teen and I also remember how he repeatedly shocked the public into acceptance with his videos, interviews, and just by being his gorgeous, amazing, fun and charming self. Absolutely nothing is taboo when it comes to him and he'll answer any question on homosexuality, not matter how intrusive. Árni confirmed that he's been a huge part of bringing acceptance of gays and lesbians in Iceland. 

Celebrity stylist Karl Berndsen
There are more public figures that have helped bring acceptance. There's Friðrik Ómar, a singer who's flamboyant like Paul Oscar, but is married to a man and they walk hand-in-hand like any other couple to public events. There's the confident and eloquent Karl Berndsen, a hair and makeup stylist who moved back to Iceland a few years back and did a TV series. There are many more, but it's time to move on to the less positive sides...

There may be less homophobia in Iceland than in many other countries, but that is not to say that there is none. What were harmless "homo jokes" and comments before, now sound offensive to me and is probably hurtful to others. There is also gossip about GLBTQ people in smaller communities...but then there's also a whole lot of gossip about everyone else, so I guess this will never change. Árni was able to name four loud voices - bloggers - in Iceland who actively speak out against GLBTQ people, and one church (that is not a part of the national Lutheran church). However, the government and city officials are clear: homophobic discrimination is not acceptable. The church had been promised funds from the city, but the promise was withdrawn when Reykjavik learned of the church's anti-GLBTQ speech and ideals. One of the bloggers is a school teacher in Akureyri (the largest town in the north), but he got discharged because of his anti-GLBTQ speech, as it was likely to influence the children. He appealed, saying it had nothing to do with his teaching, so he's still teaching today, but Akureyri isn't giving up and the lawsuit is still going.

Web-TV Star Vala Grand
Trans people, unfortunately, are not as accepted as gays and lesbians. Árni told me that two years ago, the rights of trans people were in the same place as the rights of gay and lesbian people were thirty years before. For the past two years, Samtökin has been working hard to fight for trans-rights, and to educate the public. Things seem to be changing for the better though, and a lot of it has to do with Vala Grand, another public figure who isn't afraid to express herself. Physically, she used to be a he, but has now gone through a sex change. She has been very open about the whole process and hosts her own web-TV shows that are very popular. I can only hope that by being herself and allowing others to get to know her, transphobia in Iceland will quickly die down. But there's still work to be done, because a few weeks back, a trans-man was badly beat up in a bar for being who he is.

Beside writing this blog and organizing the hop, there is one other thing I've done today. I've joined the Samtökin 78, as it is for GLBTQ people and everyone else who wants to lend their support. By joining, I am openly standing up and telling my countrymen that I support GLBTQ people and rights. I'm also writing a proposal for my home town, pleading with them to renew their contract with Samtökin 78, so that Samtökin can continue educating the children in our school and provide their services to the GLBTQ people and their families in my home town. Samtökin 78 operates on donations and membership fees alone. Which brings me to the next part...

I want to thank everyone for stopping by and here is what I have to offer in the giveaway today: 
an e-book from my backlist for three different people - winner's choice (anything released before May). 
An e-copy of Absolutely Eric for one winner.
And here's the best part: a 5,000 Icelandic kronur donation to the Samtökin 78 in the name of one winner (roughly $40 according to today's exchange rate). 

If you'd like to be entered for the drawing of these prizes, please leave a comment to this post with your email address. If you feel uncomfortable leaving your email address, you can send me mail: eripike at gmail dot com (but please leave a comment as well, saying that you've sent me mail).


This hop, Hop Against Homophobia, is an attempt of nearly 250 m/m writers, reviewers and publishers to bring about awareness of homophobic discrimination. Each blog is giving out at least one prize. To visit the other sites, please click this link.

I hope that you've learned something from this entry, namely that it's possible to reach very positive result in national GLBTQ rights. All it takes is time and people to stand up for those rights.

88 comments:

  1. Love the post Erica, and thanks for organizing this great hop. *fist pump*

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  2. Great post Erica and love hearing about your country. Glad that you guys have gotten so far and hopefully it gets better for everyone in the community.

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  3. It's fascinating to hear about these issues in different countries. Reminds me of pieces I read in DNA magazine...

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  4. It's wonderful that Iceland seems to have come so far with equality for all. Let's hope that America makes enormous strides this year as well.

    Tami (tb-kindle@hotmail.com)

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  5. Thank you for the great post and the wonderful hop! I'm happy to be a part of it! : )

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  6. Wonderful post! Thanks for taking part in the hop :)

    kimberlyFDR@yahoo.com

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  7. Great post Erica! Thanks for all of your hard work in organizing this hop. :)

    lkbherring64@gmail.com

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  8. The States could certainly learn a thing or two from Iceland.

    morris.crissy@gmail.com

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  9. What a beautiful and thought provoking post, Erika. I only wish the United States would pull its head out of the dark ages and do the right thing in regards to combating homophobia and allowing equal rights to all its citizens. I would be honored if I were fortunate to receive one of your books.

    laynefaire@aol.com

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  10. I especially am taking the time to read the blogs from other countries. So interesting. Thanks, please enter me.

    cojazzchick AT yahoo DOT com

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  11. wow i never knew that and amost wish i did live in Iceland its sad when ppl are homophobic like its contagious or something and i really do wish Americans were more understanding ty for ur thought provoking post


    mortalsinn (AT)yahoo.com

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  12. Great post Erica, I didn't know Iceland had a lesbian Prime Minister or that you have an organisation like Samtökin78, going into schools, which I think is a great idea!
    Thank you for organising this blog hop, I hope it will become a tradition. :)

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  13. forgot the email: emiliana25ATwebDOTde

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  14. Great post...thanks for taking the time to share with us.
    Yvette
    yratpatrol@aol.com

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  15. It's nice to know that there is country like that around the world... I'm from Quebec, canada, and it's a little like that here...

    contact at mchoule dot com

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  16. I learn something new everyday. Thanks for sharing:) You rock, Erica!! *hugs*

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  17. I learned some things today. It was really interesting to hear about how things are in Iceland, thanks for sharing.

    andreagrendahl AT gmail DOT com

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  18. It's nice to hear about someplace in the world where it really did get better.
    talia628@yahoo.com

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  19. Thanks for doing the hop and your story. :)

    bellzette_3@hotmail.com

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  20. I'm hopping from post to post reading everyones comments. I'm so glad there are so many who believe Homophobia will eventually be wiped out.

    pennybrandon@hotmail.com

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  21. Thank you for this wonderful and informative post. I have no idea how hard it must be to deal with people who are so hateful. I wish there was a way to open the minds of such closeminded people.

    musicalfrog at comcast.net

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  22. Great Post...thanks for sharing :)

    raynman1979 at yahoo dot com

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  23. Wow, that is truly inspiring to know that a whole country can band together and do so much good. Hopefully the world will follow Icelands lead and take us all into a brighter and safer world for everyone.

    I think its wonderful that an organization like Samtökin 78 exists and is so widely accepted. I only hope that one day our organizations here in America become as accepted.

    Your donation to the cause as a giveaway is an amazing idea. I love that you are stepping up in that way.

    Thanks,
    grumpybybirth @ gmail .com

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  24. I live in Finland and have been to Iceland (awesome country). Hooray for Iceland's progressive thinking! Thank you for this interesting and informative post!

    ladyxaniver(at)gmail.com

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  25. Thank you for hosting this HOP it is such an important cause and I am proud to be part of this HOP to bring a nice big spotlight to the issue.

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

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  26. Oooh, Iceland! I've visited it in 2005 and 2007, such a civilized and fairy tale country!
    Thank you for all the infos on the topic - I still think I woudln't mind moving to Iceland (from Italy) one day! :-)
    Barb

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  27. thank you for organizing this event :)

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  28. Great post! I've wanted to visit Iceland for years, it really sounds like a great country. Thanks for the giveaway and for the Hop!

    Jen
    ineedtoread76 [at] gmail.com

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  29. Erika, thanks for organizing this event. Unfortunately is homophobia a topic in many countries around the world.

    dannyfiredragon[@)aol.com

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  30. Erica, thanks for all your hard work organizing this hop. It's fascinating to see what's up in Iceland, so thanks for the post, too. <3

    kate[at]kateyhawthorne[dot]com

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  31. It made me happy to learn that Iceland has a lesbian Prime Minister. Thank you for all the information you provided especially about the organisation Samtökin78.

    juliebites@gmail.com

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  32. Very interesting Erica. I had no idea you were from Iceland. Very cool. I am shocked (in a good way) that your country went from running a gay man out of town, to an openly lesbian (and extremely attractive) Prime Minister in less than 40 years. Sure we say "40 years is a long time" but in the march for equal rights, that's actually pretty fast. You should be proud of your country and good for you for continuing to fight. There will always be homophobic people, just as there will always be racists and misogynists and any other negative hater, but they are becoming smaller and smaller I hope and more marginalized. Super post.

    cdn_tam(at)yahoo.ca

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  33. First of all, I must confess...I had to take the scenic route when I opened this blog. The Banner is...Ummm, quite distracting! LOL I am so glad to have come to your blog and learn more about the general acceptance of the people in your country. A while back I came upon a YouTube video that shows the different countries and their level of fighting/war/crimes according to the main believes of each country. I just took a look to see if I could find Iceland in it but it wasn't. It's quite interesting but don't know how accurate it would be. We all need to take countries such as yours as an example and learn to live a cleaner, healthier life (spiritually). Until we let go of the hate, arrogance and plain ugliness there will be no peace.
    Thanks for sharing with us such an interesting blog.

    Sandra Rush
    taina1959@yahoo.com
    http://enchantedrosegarden.blogspot.com

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  34. Very informative interview! Thanks for sharing. Education is definitely the key to change.

    Lena Grey
    lena.grey.iam@gmail.com

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  35. Thanks for sharing! It was very interesting to read about perspectives from other countries. I hope the US follows suit in being more open and accepting of the LGBTQ community.

    madison1729@gmail.com

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  36. I think it is awesome that Iceland accepts everyone for who they are and not who they choose to sleep with. I can only hope that I live long enough to see the USA reach this point!

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  37. wow. Iceland sounds amazing. :) I hope that Transgender get the same support there soon. I can only hope to see the USA that way one day.

    SheriV
    smurfettev@gmail.com

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  38. I'd love to visit Iceland. It sounds amazing. Thanks for the informative post. I hope the Us follows suit.
    Thanks for the hop.

    e.balinski(at)att(dot)net

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  39. Hi Erica, thank you so much for this post and for all the hard work you guys have put into this. I've learned so much already. I especially didn't know about Iceland. It's great to see how much progress has been made, and I hope that many more countries, including my own will learn from their mistakes and move toward a better, brighter future.

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  40. Thanks for the great giveaway! and great post loved reading it!
    red_tigergirl2(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  41. Thanks so much for sharing Erica, it's a wonderful post! It's refreshing to see such positive attitudes out there.

    ashley.vanburen[at]gmail[dot]com

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  42. It's cool that there are places that have laws that are inclusive and the sky has not fallen =) This fear of the unknown leads to such sad acts of hatred. Sigh... Great post.

    elle.cee6@gmail.com

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  43. Thank you for organizing this event. And thank you for the informative essay on Iceland. Fascinating as well as heartening. :)

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  44. Hi Erica! You know I love anything about Iceland and it is nice to see that no matter how early in relation to the same positive change in the US that Iceland went through these struggles too. Maybe it also has to do with there being a smaller population? More of a sense of community? Anyway, I think it's a better example for the rest of the world for Iceland to have had these struggles and overcome them than to have always had an accepting climate. Thanks again for the informative post and for partnering to bring this event together!

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  45. Very interesting post Erica. It made me think about my own country (Poland), where everything is changing much more faster than I envisioned few years ago. When I was at the uni there were no GLBTQ people in public sphere and everything was very hush, hush. Now we have a party in a parliament that has GLBTQ representatives (one trans lady included) and is very vocal in its support to civil partnership; we had few public coming-out and one widely commented lawsuit against gay hate speech.
    We have long way to get the tolerance level you are talking about. Most people are still very close minded, but it's changing from hate to indifference. I hope acceptance will be the next step.

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    Replies
    1. I forget about the email: 0401romance(at)gmail(dot)com

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  46. Awesome post - and a great cause.
    Thanks for sharing!
    A

    amiller.0225@gmail.com

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  47. Thank you for the post,learned so much more after reading.
    cvsimpkins@msn.com

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  48. Thank you so much for this post Erica. Wonderful to get the perspective from outside the USA.
    tmason442@gmail.com

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  49. Great post, its great to hear from other countries.

    Layladawna@hotmail.com

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  50. Erica, thanks for organizing the hop and for the awesome post showing how things are in other countries.
    andy@amburns.com

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  51. Thanks for the insight into Iceland's journey to accepting the differences of others. ocanana@gmail.com

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  52. Thank you for co-sponsoring the hop, and for information about a country I know very little about.

    dephalqu at yahoo dot com

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  53. Erica thanks for organising this special hop for all of us. Good on you for taking a stand in your community and country. Iceland will definitely be a country I will be learning about more soon. vonalogan@gmail.com

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  54. Wow - I have really learned a lot from reading your blog post - very interesting indeed... thank you for all you have done and keep up the great work on the GLBTQ front in your country (yes, it took courage) and your writing... much success... and keep the faith that it will all somehow work out one day... we GLBTQ people deserve it! Oh - and I am a new follower of your blog so I can keep tabs on you! *grins* romancewiththeflemingtonsDotblogspot.com

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  55. A wonderful subject for a blog hop!

    sionedkla@gmail.com

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  56. Wonderful Erica! You've made me want to move to Iceland! I hope someday America will be as open and intelligent with their citizens. There may always be idiots who say harmful, hateful things, but our government shouldn't be bullies as well.
    I was raised in Germany by rather liberal parents who raised us to believe everyone was equal. I never heard of inequality outside of a history book. Then I moved to America when I was 11. I remember one of my first school experiences was a child my age asking me if I was a Nazi for being from Germany. I cried to my mom about it and I remember her saying that some people will just be ignorant. Sadly, she's still right. I do hope we will change and educated everyone and our kids won't experience hate and stupidity and inequality.
    Thank you for building this hop and making all this possible! *MUAH!*
    Five months!!!!
    Bella
    www.bellaleonebooks.com
    BellaLeone4 at gmail dot come :D

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  57. I keep hoping that the United States will get to where you guys and other countries are, some day. We just have to keep working for it.

    Thanks again for organizing the hop!

    ~Helen

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  58. What a wonderful post! I had no idea what Iceland's stance was on LGBTQ and I am impressed.
    thank you for this post.

    hayley.b.james@gmail.com

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  59. Thanks for a fantastic post - I am slowly making my way around them all... This is a great thing we are participating in no matter how many naysayers there are. I am very proud of you brain child.

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  60. Thanks for sharing. forettarose@yahoo.com

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  61. Wonderful to see how things are in different countries. Thanks for organising this great hop.

    lmbrownauthor at gmail dot com

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  62. You are my first stop in this homophobia-hop and I am very excited to see all those blogs participating. I wish things for gay people were different in the country I live. I wish everyone was free to express himself without the fear of prejudice.
    It was nice meeting you.

    marinaroumpi at gmail dot com

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  63. it's very awesome to see that this blog hop is going worldwide! I admit I didn't know the situation in Iceland, and you've opened my eyes to look out for other rising stars in Iceland, and continue to show love and acceptance, because I want it shown to me, always!

    Tame

    tameadams@yahoo.com

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  64. Loved the post Erica ... It would be nice of all countries were as progressive.

    Sarah S

    Sarahs7836(at)gmail(dot)com

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  65. That was informative and inspiring. I knew some things about Iceland already and knew that it was a pretty progressive place, but didn't stop to consider their stance on GLBTQ issues before. I live in the United States...and we have a long way to go towards progress here.

    J

    jrlannan@gmail.com

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  66. Wow that is so much information that I didn't know. I think that those who are against GLBTQ are people are not happy with themselves. They feel threatened and take it out those who they feel can't or won't fight back.

    As for the church, as a commited Christian and also someone who has come late to the realaization that I am Bi, it annoys me that those who are running the denominations feel that they have the right to tell people that they are wrong because of the way that they find they express their sexuality. Where is the hatred of the abusers and the adulteres. Are they not offensive to the faith? Why are there no demonstrations against that? This is not fair and will never be fair.

    While I can see that there has been much progress I will only take it as being a completed journey when the world will look at a person for who they are. Not what they look like, what they do or what their sexuality. That would be my kind of paradise.

    flubber2kool@gmail.com

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  67. Hi Erica,

    Thanks for organizing this great hop!

    Jessica Freely

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  68. Thank you for this great, informative post. I learned a lot. (And I don't mind saying, I hope I win one of your books!)

    steph.abbott1@gmail.com

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  69. Erica,
    Thanks so much for organizing the hop and for telling us all about how things are in your country. I only wish my country was as progressive. Many hugs to you for all you are doing to help stop homophobia and transphobia!

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  70. Erica,

    thanks so much for organizing the bloghop! Its been fab. Lovely article too. Great to see your home country accepting gays and lesbians. Hopefully they will do that with trans people has well.

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  71. wonderful post!! Thanks for all your hard work in organizing all of this. I have learned so much!
    Christy
    allstarjumperstx2@gmail.com

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  72. This was a wonderful post. Thank you for organizing this event, I'm really glad that you did and that I got to take part. :)

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  73. Thank you for organizing this great hop.

    peggy1984@live.com

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  74. That was a fascinating read about how Iceland deals with homophobia.

    Thank you for organizing this Hop. I've enjoyed reading all the posts :)

    penumbrareads(at)gmail(dot)com

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  75. Love your banner photo

    Thank for your great giveaway and hop

    suefitz1 (at)gmail (dot)com

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  76. Love the inspirational post!! It shows that there is hope, there is a light at the end of the tunnel, that equality is possible. Thank you for all you're doing to help end the hate!!

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

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  77. Great post, Erica! It would be awesome if all countries would be like Iceland in regards to this.

    rhondaw(@)yahoo(.)com

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  78. Great information and an inspiration. rpoma72@yahoo.com

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  79. Enjoyed the post! Thanks for the info and for being a part of this blog hop. :)

    Judi
    arella3173_loveless(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  80. An excellent post! Very informative. Thanks Erica.

    angietate2002@yahoo.com

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  81. A great post Erica, and thank you for organising the hop!

    Jibriel dot O web dot de

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  82. Iceland! Wow! I love how the (relatively) small m/m writer community is so widespread. It's part of what makes it so vivid and exciting; different observations and expressions to charge the creativity pool.

    Thank you for sharing a bit of the current state of GLBT rights over there. It's always necessary to keep up, though my country seems to be going more towards extremist, militant garbage it does give me hope that there will be changes. Someday.

    R

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  83. Iceland sounds like a wonderful country to live in! Hopefully someday all other nations of the world will be just as open and accepting.

    CarrieAnne79 (at) yahoo (dot) com.

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  84. What a Fantastic Post Erica!!! I learned soooo much from your Great Post, thank you for taking the time to share so much & educating us about Iceland, I had no idea. Samtökin78 sounds like a GREAT Organization & they are doing Wonderful things in your Country.

    In my opinion, eReaders have done wonders in helping to “open” many of those “close-minded” people. Authors have been such a Great Asset in reaching out & helping people experience & accept GLBTQ rights with your Wonderfully Romantic, Loving, Emotional Writing…& of course Erotic & Sensual ;) …making it more likely for them to be accepting, understanding & comfortable with homosexuality in real life….We Could Hope, Right???

    Thank you so much for putting all this time & dedication in Hosting this Very Important Cause Erica, the Hop Against Homophobia. This has turned out Amazing. YOU ROCK!!!!! …..& for ALL your Hard Work, you deserve for ALL of Us to Stand Up & Do the Booty Dance for Ya ;) ...(_\_)...(_|_)...(_/_) LOL I know, I’m a nut! LOL ;)

    I would very much appreciate the opportunity to be considered in your very generous giveaway.

    Take care Erica, Sending Big Cyber Hugs Your Way & Stay Naughty ;)
    PaParanormalFan Renee
    paranormalromancefan at yahoo dot com

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  85. Thank you so much for this
    calicokittie1@yahoo.com

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  86. What an enlightened country. It makes me all the more ashamed for mine and the increase in anti-GLBT rhetoric in the run up to the coming elections this year. We have such a long way to go...

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