Hop Against Homophobia & Transphobia – Post 1

Posted on by

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:

michael-sam

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:

17 thoughts on “Hop Against Homophobia & Transphobia – Post 1”

  2. even in Australia I was aware of this and I’m very excited for Michael in his career with New Orleans
    I also noticed the arm rub and had the same feeling of “I’ll be there for you”
    Love is love!

    leetee2007@hotmail.com

  3. I am not sure how will they be treated. It depends on the mentality of the people surrounding them. But I believe they should get everyone’s support because at the end of the day they didn’t do any crime. They just loved each other.

  4. C.C., what a sweet post! I was really touched by their interaction as well. So loving and supportive. Really made me smile. Thanks so much for taking part in the hop, and for sharing your thoughts and reactions to this landmark event.
    ~~Cherie Noel~~

  5. Maybe those of us to whom being gay isn’t a big news item did notice the supportiveness of Vito and enjoyed their togetherness in terms of the quiet talking and hugs more than the less enlightened population who focussed in on only their kiss.
    I do hope it goes well for them – I think Sam will have a hard time from other teams (hopefully by drafting him, his team will quell any problems at the outset) but hopefully with the team behind him, he can ride it out. Not sure how Vito will be accepted, dont know how those dynamics usually work, and he’ll be competing himself sometimes too

  6. I’m hoping that with the rise of organizations like the You Can Play Project and Athlete Ally, that it won’t be a big deal on or off the field. It’s hard to predict, though, but I wish Michael and Vito (and Jason Collins in the NBA) all the best!

  9. Thanks for being a part of the hop and for the chance to win 🙂
    raynman1979(at)yahoo(dot)com

  10. When I saw the video I got a bit teary eyed cause it was such a happy moment for the two. I’m sure Michael will have moments where he’ll have to be prepared against some ignorant individuals but I’m hopeful to believe that there will be a good amount of people who will support him.

    • Not sure if I was suppose to provide my email before but just in case it’s: humhumbum AT yahoo DOT com

  11. Completely clueless about sports here, but I don’t get it. If he’s not on the team and it’s a tough road for him to make it, why is it such a big deal? I understand that it *is* a big deal, just not sure why people are celebrating when he may not make the team.

  12. I hope he is treated with the respect due any teammate.
    MHupp20032003(at)yahoo(dot)com

  13. Pingback: Hop Against Homophobia & Transphobia – Post 2 | C.C. Williams Online

  14. I think it will depend on the players attitudes and beliefs on how Michael will be treated, and the same with go for Vito and how he’s treated by the wives. It’ll be a person by person basis. Some will hate them, and some won’t care.

    penumbrareads(at)gmail(dot)com

Comments are closed.