Hop Against Homophobia & Transphobia – Post 2

HAHAT 2014

Hello, hoppers!

Welcome to my second post for The Hop Against Homophobia and Transphobia. If you haven’t commented on my first post (thereby garnering an entry into the drawing), do so after clicking here.

Today’s post I’m titling…

Tactile Thursday

What has always confounded me about the innumerable diatribes against homosexuality is the fact that those who are opposed to things “gay” invariably focus immediately on the physical aspects of our relationships. They concentrate almost exclusively on sex.

“Unnatural,” “disgusting,” “revolting” are just some of the adjectives applied–yet they all appear to be very well-informed about what supposedly goes on in our bedrooms in spite of their supposed horror. As well, to read the numerous trolls and blatherers, gay men are apparently unable to control our libidos and will attack any naked male within 10 miles. Which accounts for the huge numbers of gay sexual attacks on straight men–NOT!

Now, being subjected almost daily to representations of straight sex, I am always glad to watch two guys go at it–but I write gay erotic fiction, so that’s probably not that surprising to most of you. But in spite of writing about hot, hunky fellas pushing boundaries while doing the nasty, as I noted in Post 1, it was a simple touch that I found most exciting.

It is not surprising that such a gesture should be weighted so heavily. Our society is “touch-phobic”–particularly between men. A macho, masculinized reason is always required to touch another man: celebrating a sporting success gets a high five or a pat on the butt; a handshake quickly becomes a contest of grip strength. But to do such a thing outside of the accepted context quickly gets one branded as “queer” or “a faggot.”

Now even as jaded as I can be, I still feel mushy when I see two guys walking along hand in hand, which I’m glad to see more and more of. Sad that the first sense which we develop, and which can communicate so much emotionally, should have become so maligned. (For a great article about touch, see Psychology Today.) Go out and touch someone–if they need a hug, give them one of yours.

In defiance of the trolls and the ugly nasties, I’m offering up some eye candy in celebration of the power of touching.

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Play With Me

Of course, there is a contest, too! Leave a comment and include a photo (or a link) to your favorite photo of touching for a chance to win an e-format of my short story, The Pickup Game. This is in addition to an entry for The Grandville Guys giveaway. (It’s a two-fer!)

Be sure to visit the other stops on the Hop:

Hop Against Homophobia & Transphobia – Post 1

HAHAT 2014

Welcome, all you hoppers, to my Day 1 post for the 2014 Hop Against Homophobia and Transphobia! Today is the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia, and our hop will running for a week to bring attention to this problem.

No matter how serious the topic, no hop would be complete without prizes and freebies. Be sure to leave a comment and check back frequently. I like to do random little things! As well, on the 25th, I will be drawing a name at random from all comments on my HAHAT posts for an e-format copy of my newest release Those Grandville Guys, so talk things up!

The Kiss Seen ‘Round the League

I had one topic that I thought I might write about for today’s post. But the NFL draft happened–now that phrase alone is something I never thought would have shown up on these pages–and then Michael Sam kissed Vito Cammisano live on ESPN:

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Which was, of course, followed by the end of the world… or not.

Now I realize that Michael Sam hasn’t made the team’s final cut yet–so all the haters screaming about a gay guy in the locker room are premature–but it’s still a watershed event.

This simple act of happiness and togetherness has caused so much consternation and horror–I mean, really, a gay, inter-racial kiss between two hot athletes–you would think they had sex on the table. Not that there’s anything wrong with that! Although, the mashing cake was a little much for me, but I hate being sticky…

After all the years of not seeing myself reflected on the TV box, I still always enjoy seeing our lives depicted as what they are–just normal lives with the happiness, the sadness, the ups and downs everyone else endures. But for me the kiss was not the real story.

What caught my eye is at the very beginning of some clips and not to be seen in others. It’s the way Vito rubbed Michael’s arm while he waited as Michael listened to the phone. That small gesture–a simple, yet incredibly intimate touch–spoke volumes to me. It screamed, “I love you, and I’m here for you whatever happens.” I found it very romantic–and much more erotic than the kiss.

I wish lots of luck and success to Michael as he begins his career and the very best to him and Vito as their relationship enters some truly uncharted territory. Follow  @MichaelSamNFL and @VitCamm on Twitter and show them some support!

Leave a comment with your thoughts about how the NFL players will treat Michael, or how the wives/girlfriends will react to Vito. All comments with a valid email address will be eligible for the drawing.

Then, be sure to visit the next stop on the Hop:

Seductive Studs – 10 May 2014

SeductiveSns_Logo

Hi, everybody! It’s been a bit since I’ve hopped along, but I’m back this weekend with some more from my swords and sorcery menage story, Radiq. To catch up with what’s come before, click here.

Vadim groaned inwardly.

His father’s oration was sure to immobilize any of the guests that remained awake; Vadim was already numb from Almarga’s conceited and self-aggrandizing disdain of all things Thessalian, which she didn’t bother to hide—even from her future son-in-law. Then why I am marrying your daughter?

He knew that answer unfortunately. The long-running border struggle between the two countries was draining resources—gold, horses, men—faster than either kingdom could replenish them. So to resolve the conflict, he and Allianna were to be sacrificed on the altar of political solution. Not that he had ever expected to be able to marry for love—he was the Crown Prince, his father’s only son—but Corusq had never figured into that calculation.

The arithmetic of his future had always counted that he would do his duty in spite of the pull of his own desire. Vadim had at least considered the possibility that he might come to care in some fashion for his future wife. However, Allianna was cold. Not shy or aloof—that he believed he could have coaxed her away from—but unfeeling, unempathic. Her violet eyes were empty; he would have said soulless were he inclined to be spiritual.

Not like the desire that smoldered in Radiq’s sapphire blue gaze.

Thanks for reading!

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