11 November 2008

Town Needs To Get A Clue

I'm seeing red, with good reason. Why?

One of the best selling subgenres of erotic romance is M/M. At least three erotic romance publishers have reiterated to me in the last few days that M/M is their #1 bestselling subgenre, bar none. People are buying. A large portion of the erotic romance market is accepting of M/M.

In addition, we've had laws against hate crimes for a couple of decades. We've had (supposedly) tolerance taught in the schools. You'd think the majority of thinking adults would be properly taught to simply walk away from what they don't "approve of" or "want to try."

So, what did I wake up and find this morning?

Terri Pray and her husband Sam are part owners of Under The Moon/Final Sword Productions Terri and Sam were set to buy a house in Greene, Iowa. They had their loan approved, the bid on the house accepted, but Greene has a requirement that they have to have the final sale approved by the town. They weren't approved.

Now, why were they turned down? Terri and Sam, as I noted, are part owners of UTM/FSP. A portion of the business is run out of their home and a part out of the office, as it is with many indie presses. Between the two sides of the company, they have dozens of books out and contracted, everything from straight genre military fiction, horror, and fantasy to erotic romance of all sorts. To be honest, the lion's share of their books aren't even erotic. They have several major gaming franchises, including Honor Harrington gaming. They sell t-shirts and even audio CDs.

What does this have to do with the price of beer? It's simple.

ONE book, out of their entire stock, is a M/M erotic romance anthology, titled SACRED BANDS. While the townspeople of Greene, Iowa found the M/F erotic romance perfectly acceptable, they called the M/M erotic romance "gay porn." Some of them further stated (now, mind you...these aren't older people...these are 30-45-year-old people, which makes it all the more deplorable, in my mind) that publishing SACRED BANDS was "morally corrupt" and that choosing to publish the anthology demonstrated "questionable business practices."

In short, Terri and Sam lost their house, because the people who live in Greene, Iowa are a bunch of backward, homophobic dinosaurs. They lost their house, because (out of hundreds of items available from their business) one book is M/M erotic romance. The deliberations ended with the comment that Greene, Iowa didn't want to be "known for harboring a publisher of gay porn." KUDOS to Greene! You're now exposed for being a bigoted backwoods bunch of rednecks.

UPDATES: Terri reports that the local paper is blaming not the company's offering of the M/M anthology (as was expressed at the town meeting, in great detail) but rather her own writing, which they have no legal right to suppress. Terri writes everything from straight genre science fiction to hot BDSM, but nothing she writes is illegal, and there is the little matter of the first amendment to consider.

Oh, and check this out! VERY FITTING!

65 comments:

MeiLin Miranda said...

You know, in a way they were lucky; they found out before they were all moved in that their neighbors were a bunch of hypocritical bigots. Better that than after they'd already unpacked the good china.

Still, you know, disgusting, but there's a tarnished silver lining of sorts for you.

Unknown said...

I think what bothers me the most is that how blatantly discriminatory this is. Replace "gay" with "interracial" and it's obvious.

I'm really sorry that this happened. It's inexcusable.

Desirée Lee said...

This is despicable and certainly illegal.

I think they ought to get an attorney to help them fight this injustice.

Like MeiLin said though, at least they won't have such bigoted neighbors.

Carpe Noctem,
Des

Desirée Lee
Putting the Romance Back in Necromancy
http://www.desireelee.com
des@desireelee.com

Danyealle said...

Doesn't suprise me a bit. I grew up near there. Welcome to the dark ages!

But at least they found out before hand and they don't have to deal with the fools.

GLBT Promo said...

This is an example of how far we still need to go when it comes to GLBT issues. We now have a black president, which is a big step against racism, but look at Prop. 8in California, for example. Homophobia is still alive and well.

kaenar said...

I guess we, that would be me, become so comfortable in our own acceptance of everything, that we often forget the rest of the world is not ready for the same degree of acceptance.
I agree with Meilin in that it would have been horrible to find out later how bigoted these folks are. But really, these people need to give their heads a collective shake and at least attempt to get into the twentieth century then ease their way into the twenty-first.
I really like Adrienne's comment. No matter what we think, gay-bashing and ignoring that section of society seems to be accepted and in many places and instances, encouraged. That just doesn't seem fair, right or appropriate.
I love to go to Toronto for just that reason. You can be who you want, when you want and where you want and no one bats an eye.
Kaenar
www.kaenar.com

Nita Wick said...

I agree with Meilin. Surely they don't want to live in that town now. It's good they found out BEFORE they closed the sale on the house.

The people of Greene will learn sooner or later not to throw stones. I feel sorry for them. What goes around comes around.

Emmy Ellis said...

Good grief! I had no idea the practise of a town accepting people went on. What do they do, vet people before they move in, poke into all their business? First time I've ever heard of this. That's just horrible in itself. As for being turned down for the reason stated...disgusting.

Love is love is love, no matter what the sex of the partners.

:-\

Lauralyn said...

Oh, my word. It seems funny to say about myself, for example, that I'm a smut writer. My conservative friends eye me warily, and my liberal friends high five me. But to be honest, I'd hate to have someone else say it. I really feel for these people. They had a place they loved enough to buy in a terrible recession. It's easy to say they're lucky not to have to live there, and they are, but I understand the pain this must be causing them.

So much of this reminds me of growing up in Inglewood California in the sixties it makes me so sad. You'd think we'd fricking learn.

mchristian said...

I just posted something about this on my blogs -- but if people want to do something remember that money always talks: sue their asses and boycott the town and any business with outlets there.

Lee Plumb said...

As a former realtor, I can say that this is a prime example of "location, location, location." In this case, Terri and Sam found out their dream home was in a bad area, full of hate and prejudice. I wouldn't want to light in such a blighted zone as Greene, Iowa. Let them rot in their homophobic hell.

Sloane Taylor said...

I know there are communities such as Greene, but to actually STOP Terri and her husband from buying a house on an antiquated way of life is beyond my scope. Terri does NOT deserve this kind of treatment.

As others have said, it's good they found out before it was too late.

Kassie Burns said...

Getting approved by a town? I can hardly believe it. But then again, given some of the experiences I've had, maybe I can.

I grew up in a small town where my mom would have been voted out because she was a "big city woman" who dared to marry one of their own.

I once taught in another small town where any kind of radical humor was considered grounds for dismissal.

Don't get me wrong. I love small towns and after some years in the big city, I'm ready to return to one someday. But, as in all things, it pays to choose the right one. Obviously, this one isn't. Hopefully, there's another home waiting in another small town nearby for Terry and husband.

Belinda M. said...

I support the comment about location; they were fortunate to not end up in that town. They should shake the dust of that place off their shoes and go somewhere else.

Clearly, that place is a haven for those who cherish intolerace in the name of morality.

It probably wouldn't hurt to send letters to the local paper informing the town that they've lost any business that you might have brought to them.

Time wounds all heels.

Robin S. said...

This is deplorable conduct on the part of that town! I can't believe that anyone in today's age would think that way. It never ceases to amaze me when I run across something like this.

I hope they find a home in a town whose eyes are open to living in today's world.

Anne Sorgeson said...

Okay seriously!!! I may not a big fan of m/m. It's just not what I like but I do not look down on those who write it or read it. Those who can write do well and that is what I think is cool so that they can provide stories to those that I cannot.

I am furious! Big hugs to Terri and her hubby. I hope they can find some other place to live.

Bryn Colvin said...

ooh, that sucks. I hope they find somewhere better.

Rhiannon Rhodes said...

Its terrible that the bigots in this world can get their way in something so important as owning a home.

No one deserves this kind of treatment, no one deserves this blatant disrespect to human/civil rights.

Hang in there Terri & I hope you find somewhere more suitable to live.

Kealie Shay said...

Sheesh... I am utterly flabbergasted at the ignorance that abounds. You would think that a country founded by exiles from religious persecution would freaking be MORE tolerant...

I have to agree with everyone else though that it's better they know NOW. I wonder though... isn't this considered Unconsititutional?

Pat Brown said...

These people need to find a good lawyer. This could be a great case for some hot shot attorney to take on. It's ridiculous. It's also immaterial, in my opinion, if they published one m/m story or a dozen. As a writer of m/m and gay mysteries I find this kind of narrow minded crap all too familiar. When will it stop?

One thing not mentioned: did they lose their investment in their home? Then they really need legal help.

Mary Winter said...

As a fellow Iowan, I am outraged that ANYONE in my state could have done this. I am flabbergasted. Maybe we should call my favorite local television channel and get them to do a story on it... maybe let PFLAG know too....There's a couple of major college communities not too far away, both with active GLBT communities.

Zetta Brown said...

This is disgusting. Yes, it's "good" that they found this out before setting up house and then waking up to find their home firebombed or something, but to be denied the "American Dream" of home ownership (granted, it may be more a nightmare these days) over something so trivial is obscene.

Jaime Samms said...

I Don't see that there is anything left to say on the matter. People have said it all already, and I heartily agree. I do hope they find a place to live where they can feel welcome and at home.

Roxy Katt said...

This is damned outrageous. It's time to recognize that homophobia is an out and out sin. It is an offense to God and a slander of Her creation.

And these people in Greene should
mind their own damn business anyway.

kaenar said...

For anyone who's interested, I sent an email to the local paper in Greene to see what I can find out. I don't know whether this is a good idea or not, but I'll post the address in case anyone is interested.
Kaenar
ross@greenerecorder.com

Brett Slocum said...

I really can't imagine a town approving every single home purchase, nor can I imagine a state court letting such an ordinance stand, because of the ease of discrimination. This must be a zoning issue, since they will partially work out of their home.

Gay is the new Black.

Terri Pray said...

We do actually count ourselves lucky that we found out. The last thing we want is for our children to grow up in such an atmosphere.

In fairness, there are some good people in and around Greene who were shocked at how we were treated, unfortunately the nay voices were enough to ruin things.

So, on one hand, we're back to looking, and trying to find a place large enough for us all.

On the other hand, our children (8 and 5) will avoid growing up in a town where such people are allowed to run a business that does over $6,000 a year through the post office alone (enough to tip the scales if a post office is under threat as so many now are) out of their town.

We ship packages through UPS as well, when we have a new release there can be 20+ packages a day for three weeks, again enough to help keep a driver on.

We were looking at new furniture from the store in town after we settled, which now means that aprox $2000 in chairs and new appliances, will now be spent elsewhere.

Heck, we were looking at a hot tub within two years, new garage doors, insulation, a new large air conditioner, when you add up what business the town has lost over, potentially, a 5 year period (the time it would take for us to pay for the house) It comes close to $50,000

Their loss.

The only outlay we've had in this has been time. $100 on checking details on the house. And the hurt in the eyes of our 8 year old at losing the home she was looking forward to moving into.

It is their loss. Not ours.

Terri & Sam Pray

P. Robinson said...

I'm so sorry this happened to you Terri. How crazy. I imagine the people who stood up for you will also be ostracized. I'm glad that you're sharing this with everyone.

Kissa Starling

Terri Pray said...

It was, indeed, a zoning issue because we were operating a business (that is not open to the public and has no employees- so effectively is no different than selling via ebay, amazon, etc)out of the house.

There would have been no sign.

No extra traffic (the ups truck already delivers to that street)

No customers coming to the door.

One lady at the meeting asked if she now needed a permit for her ebay business - the meeting went oddly quiet.

We have beautiful line artwork in the books, and those pieces picked from Sacred Bands (the main objector had no apparent problem with the art from the other issues of Forbidden Love) were called porn.

Anne Cain's artwork was picked out and called porn.

These are not photographs. Not snippets from films. Artwork. Pencil and ink in most cases, and pieces we were proud to include in Sacred Bands.

But, apparently, we are a morally questionable business because of Sacred Bands.

Kiernan Kelly said...

This is just awful, and heartbreaking on many different levels. I don't know who I feel more sorry for...Terri's family, or the small-minded, misinformed townsfolk who insist on limiting themselves by wallowing in prejudice.

There's a bright new world out there, folks. Time to step out of the storm shelter and see the damage your bigotry twister has wreaked on your own community.

You're right, Terri...it's their loss.

Tess MacKall said...

I'm so sorry for what you and your family have had to suffer through, Terri.

It boggles the mind to think of all the ignorance that still reigns in this world of ours. It's Veteran's Day. Land of the free and home of the brave.

Where was the bravery in what these people did? What about your freedom to live, work, and raise your family as you choose?

This is an incredible injustice--not just for you and yours--but for all of us.

I know it is probably far-fetched, but I do believe I'd fight them on this. Not so I could live there now. Of course not. But to show the world their bigotry and ignorance.

Report them. Call television stations. Hell, call Oprah! You better believe you are not the only ones who have suffered at their hands.

My prayers are with you. Give your kids a hug from all of us. You'll find your dream home soon.

Thank you, Brenna, for bringing this to our attention.

Stormy Glenn said...

My question is this...have they even read any M/M books? Or are they just degrading them out of their own sense of moral principal?

I've had relatives and friends not talk to me because I write M/M. So what? It just tells me that they haven't read anything I've written. My books are not sex scene and after sex scene. They're romance stories that have sex scenes in them.

I recently sent my first book cover to my oldest son who is away at college. His academic adviser called me and asked me not to send anymore. It gave the wrong message. Wrong message? What did he see in the cover that I don't? Did I miss something somewhere? If I remember correctly, there are no naked people, no one having sex, or anything else on the cover. I didn't even send the book, just the front cover! The adviser told me it was the suggestive words on the cover... Secret Desires... along with the picture of three guys. It gave the wrong message. Again, someone who hasn't read my book or any other type of M/M book.

I am proud that I write M/M books. I'm proud to be friends with so many authors that write M/M books. If I could afford to hire an attorney and fight this issue, I would. It just makes me see red!

Unknown said...

That is just despicable.

On the plus side, I shall have to check out their books, so as a silver lining, at least they're getting some publicity.

Cassandra Gold said...

Ugh.

Just ugh.

I'm sorry this happened to Terri and her family.

Those of us who read and write m/m know it's not porn. It's a shame others can't get past their own prejudices.

Dann Saint Augustin said...

That's okay. Marge from my college (the Christian chaplain) told me I was going to Hell and there was no salvation for me, no matter how hard I tried, even if I repented of my SINFUL DISGUSTING UNHOLY WAYS.

Bigots, plain and simple.

Pat Brown said...

But Pendragon, would you want to spend an eternity with someone like that? I don't think I'd want to spend 5 minutes with them.

BrennaLyons said...

Ann Cain's work? She did MY art. For pities sake, if mine was the piece singled out, there is nothing wrong with it. They aren't even nude. It's two shirtless men working...magic. Which might actually be another problem for them? Ack.

Brenna

Meg said...

Sheeze! This is completely unbelievable. Yet one more reason to be glad I live in Australia. The Lucky Country, indeed.

*shaking head in amazement*

Shelley Munro said...

I'm really sorry this has happened. Unfortunately, there are some people who will never change their minds about gays. It's sad. If it were me I'd be glad this happened before I moved. That's the only positive thing in this horrid situation.

Tracey H. Kitts said...

I'm so sorry to hear this happened to them. Unfortunately, it goes on where I live too. Just last week one of my neighbors was waving my book around and screaming that it was porn. It isn't even erotica! The full story is on my blog if anyone wants to read it.

http://traceyhkitts.blogspot.com/2008/11/i-wasnt-aware-that-i-wrote-porn.html

One of my cousins is gay and I've seen him go through prejudice from his own family as well as strangers. It's heartbreaking how people treat one another. I don't understand it, I really don't.

Genella deGrey said...

I'm so sorry that Terri & Sam didn't get the house, but glad they don't have to dwell in a community of BAD HUMANS!

G.

Lesli Richardson (aka Tymber Dalton) said...

It's horrible they didn't get the house, but lucky for them they're not stuck living in the middle of a bunch of bigoted idiots. Better they find it out now, instead of after they move and are stuck there trying to get out and facing close up and personal abuse.

I would personally consider filing a lawsuit for housing discrimination, if that's at all possible, and exposing this town as the morons they are.

I've never understood why people insist on forcing their morality on others when it comes to issues between consenting adults. Like in California and even here in Florida. I'm a straight, happily married woman who in no way feels threatened of two (or even more) people want to get married regardless of their combination of genders.

I say we get government out of the bedrooms of consenting adults. Don't we have more IMPORTANT things to worry about, like our economy tanking? *LOL*

Lesli.
http://leslirichardson.blogspot.com

Faith Bicknell said...

This is HORRIBLE! Grrr...steaming here.

Jo said...

Wow, it sounds to me like they dodged a bullet. While they deserve to buy whatever house they can afford, I can't imagine wanting to live in a community full of ignorant fuckwits like this.

I also wonder how they found out about the book... sounds to me like one of the good townsfolk likes to read their books...

Seeing as it's Veteran's Day, let's take a moment to give thanks for the men and women who have given their lives to protect our right to free speech and the FREE PRESS.

Terri Pray said...

It's come to my attention that the paper involved has been saying that the protests were about the writing I do. Not the books UTM publishers.

However, not once during the meeting was this mentioned.

If the problem was my work for other companies, why was that even an issue for the meeting? We weren't applying for the zoning waiver based on freelance writing for Loose Id, or Mojocastle, or Black Lace etc. If that is the case, and they 'picked' on Sacred Bands as a way to complain, this makes it even worse.

You don't need a permit/zoning waiver to be an author, or freelance writer...

The more I learn about this situation, the more I feel like we escaped a terrible situation by the skin of our teeth.

Once more I must salute those men and women who were honest enough to listen at the meeting instead of coming in with a set idea to drive out the morally corrupt family. And especially to those couple of people who spoke to us after the meeting expressing their disgust, and confusion at how the entire thing had been handled.

To those people, who I won't name as I do not wish their lives in their town to be affected because of their honesty, and human decency, I say thank you.

These are the people I would have wanted my children to grow up around. Men and women with open hearts, and open minds.

To the rest.

Please actually take a look in your library. There's more 'porn'(yes, I'm being sarcastic) there in the form of Spice, Blaze, Berkley Heat, Avon Red, heck, Laurell K. Hamilton, J.R. Ward, Angela Knight, etc, on your shelves than I've as yet managed to write myself.

Should they think this is the type of reaction any and all 'good' small towns might have. I'll add this.

One of the first erotic romances I ever wrote (full length) was Whispered Secrets, for Magic Carpet Books. Not only was it happily stocked on the shelves in B&N, the story was set in the very real town of Pelican Rapids, MN, which at the time had a population of barely more than 1400 people. The wonderful people of the town not only supported the book, but many thanked me for mentioning their towns and businesses in the novel.

So, with that, this evil pornographer (and I freely admit I on occasions write stories for one site that do step over the edge into hard bdsm erotica), must return to plying her evil, wicked, immoral trade in order to pay for food, rent, clothing, medication etc.

*le sigh*

Terri

Saje Williams said...

It just goes to show how far we still have to go in this country. What is deemed "obscenity" is pretty much left up to community standards and while we might not agree with those so-called "standards," I suppose they might have some right to them. "Porn," I'm afraid, is pretty much in the eye of the beholder.

Probably fortunate these folks found out the kind of people they'd be sharing their community with before it was too late.

And, as one responder pointed out, there is a striking similarity here between the folks who would judge on this basis and those who would have, some fifty years ago, made a similar stink about an interracial couple. It's part of the same mindset and one that is only slowly being vanquished by progressive thinkers and the inevitable march of social progress.

Prejudice against gays is the last one that's really acceptable in this country, primarily because so much of it is couched in religious language we're pretty much honor-bound to tolerate. Not many people are comfortable sardonically observing "Yes, it's SO important to base one's moral code on the mythology of desert dwelling barbarians who also believed the Earth was the center of the universe and only 4000 years old. Let's ignore the fact that gays have been around since the dawn of time and that THEY certainly have done far less harm to the rest of us than we've done to them."

My apologies to the religious among us, but it's stuff like this that's really worn my patience to a slender thread on that subject in general. Christ pretty much said "mind your own business and don't confuse righteousness with self-righteousness and you'll stay on my good side." Unfortunately too many of his alleged followers missed the message.

And I, frankly, couldn't care less about M/M erotica, but I'm a solid believer in equal rights all across the board, and find it disgusting that people see it as acceptable to attempt to modify a Constitution to take away rights rather than grant them.

One good thing is that as the old guard dies off the younger generations are naturally more accepting, less the maladjusted types who are so unsure of or unsettled by their own sexuality than they obsess about someone else's sexual preferences or behavior.

My hat's off to those of you writing on this subject because I think that over time it will have a positive effect on the way such things are perceived.

Anonymous said...

It's probably better that it came to light early and showed that Greene ain't a good place to live. Later on they probably would have raised the zoning issue. Fourteen years ago when I moved from New York to Missouri the boss vowed to the other workers that he'd have the Yankee gone in two weeks. They made my life as miserable as they could but I refused to quit. There are a lot of people who hate blindly.
bill

Anonymous said...

Adding my voice to the throng, at least the town revealed its true colours before you moved in.

BUT...so sad that the narrow-minded naysayers held sway, not the sensible people Terri mentioned. What worries me is that, with any kind of discrimination, it's usually a hysterical minority who kick up the fuss.

Hoping you find somewhere better.

~M-J

Unknown said...

Wow! How disappointing! But prejudice is prejudice. As terrible as this is, can you imagine how much worse it would be if they actually moved there. They wouldn't be comfortable in their own home.

Terri Pray said...

Brenna,

the three pieces of artwork they complained about were..
CJ England's story, Kobrai- Serpent King, with arwork by Peter Bradley.
Stephanie Burke's story, 'Til it Bleeds, with artwork by Connie Walker.
And Ally Blue's, Dragon's Kiss drawn by Anne Cain.

Out of all of them in only one could you see male genitalia, and he wasn't erect. In fact the piece is a beautiful line artwork that in all honesty is no different than many a still life piece I've seen from art students.

The other two pieces were brought up as porn, despite the fact they are only from the waist up, on the grounds that 'but you know what they're doing'. *rme*

But Anne, sorry, you've been 'named' as a creator of pornographer... as has CJ, Ally,Stephanie, Connie and Peter as those were the three pieces singled out.

Terri

BrennaLyons said...

Kobrai- Serpent King

They're kissing. Of course, you know what they're doing. They're kissing.

'Til it Bleeds

Which isn't actually clear what they're doing. To be honest, it looks like the one guy is lifting the other...supporting him, after he's collapsed. It's not clear that anything beyond that is happening, despite them being nude from the waist up.

Dragon's Kiss

Uh...and you're right. Male genitalia but he's not erect, and he's tied up as a prisoner. Since he was found naked in the story, what? She was supposed to put clothing on him anyway? Rolling eyes. And yes...it's much like human anatomy drawing pieces I've seen.

Brenna

treva said...

Damn, Terri. I'm so sorry.

Megan Rose said...

I'm so sad to hear that there are places like this in our world today.

Ahnadavron said...

I agree that you are better off somewhere else. No need to give your hard earned taxes to a bunch of bigoted idiots, and no way do you want a bunch of bad neighbors. Unfortunately it's widespread in this country, and yes... Prop 8 here in California is a good example. Though I take what comfort I can from how close it ended up being... Every age range had a higher acceptance rate as it got older, so time and attrition will take care of it eventually. But I've decided that if marriage is so sacred here, then they should start a new regulation banning divorce. See how they like really making marriage sacred instead of secular.

Savannah Chase said...

this is horrible, what on earth is wrong with people.....it's sickening to hear something like this

Pat Brown said...

What's really sick about this whole thing is that these people are probably convinced they're protecting their kids (from what I don't know) Similar to the reason people voted yes on Prop 8 - it's amazing what people will do and justify in the name of 'save the children'

Dawné Dominique said...

Small town mentality. *sigh* I can't believe that in this day and age something like this can happen. But it's far better they find out now what kind of town they were choosing to live in. What year is this? Man...this is just so disgusting -- and sad. Greene should be ashamed of themselves. Shame, shame, shame! I would expect such behaviour from UNEDUCATED people.

Paige E. Ewing said...

So sorry, Terri. Some days I'm embarrassed to be American. It feels like we keep taking two steps forward, and one back.

When I was in high school, my foster brother got beat up so many times that he was expelled from school for "fighting." Now, my daughter wears rainbow belts and jewelry to school, and holds hands with her girlfriend, and has dealt with almost no flak for it. My son is 13 and has a male friend who is openly bi-sexual in junior high.

It feels sometimes like we've made it past the days when this kind of thing could happen, but that just makes intolerance on such an extreme level that much more of a shock.

Best of luck with the business, and the stories. You're one of the finest authors I've ever worked with. And best of luck finding a home in a better neighborhood.

Paige

Amanda Earl said...

well this is the most backward and inexcusable things i've heard in ages. wow. i can't even wrap my mind around it. sorry for the trouble you had to go thru, Terri, but it's a good thing you aren't stuck in such a narrow minded town. if, as you say, there are current residents who disagree with such intolerance, perhaps they will do something about it. ugh.

LA Day said...

Terri,

I am sorry you had to deal with this but I too believe you are better off not living there.

It boggles my mind that so many people are still so prejudice. This reminds me of a conversation I had with a black friend the other day. He is against gay rights. I asked him how he could feel this way when he has dealt with racism his whole life. He said, he didn't have a choice about being black but gays chose to be gay.

WTF???

Pat Brown said...

A lot of ignorant people still believe that being gay is a lifestyle choice, that magically some guy or girl wakes up one morning as a teenager and says 'Hey, I'm going to be gay, I really feel like spending the rest of my life being persecuted, abused, beaten up and denied basic human rights -- and maybe if I'm really lucky someone will tie me to a fence post and beat me to death. Wouldn't that be fun.'

Terri Pray said...

Sam and I are heading to Minnesota for the weekend, but before we vanished I wanted to extend my thanks to all those who have offered their support.

We're going to take a quick look at another house on the way out today, and hopefully we'll find somewhere soon.

Thank you - the public and private support has helped a great deal.

GLBT Promo said...

Gays and lesbians are fed up. I haven't protested since I was in my 20's, but now at 46 I'm ready to go back to the streets. This Prop 8 situation has made me really mad.

Again, I'm sorry this situation happened to Terri and her family. As witnessed here, there is a lot of support for you, Terri. You and your family are in our thoughts.

Pat Brown said...

I saw a great bumper sticker today. It said: "Nice people don't get noticed." I think the time is here for people to stop being so polite and accommodating. Maybe it's time for a gay Watts. I'm not a violent person and I don't want to see any more burning, but maybe the time has come to say no more Mr. Nice Guy.

Deana Walters said...

You know being a chocolate chick in an interracial relationship who happens to be a published author of erotica for all lifestyles and persuasions, any type of "ism" is deplorable on so many levels.

I have been to Iowa- the intolerance belt of the United States.

My response is success is always the best revenge. This is just one more reason why I created bestbooksyouneverread.com.