The wait is over, Whispers In The Dark is available on Amazon.
I didn’t set out to write a story with same sex relationships in it. I wanted to write a story that included the struggles of being yourself. The pressures placed on some people to conform and live up to certain expectations.
There are still a lot of strange beliefs about what makes a person gay, as well as a lot of people who treat being gay like it’s wrong, or even some freakish sort of disease. I’ve had people tell me that times have changed and gay people are being treated better now. Sadly, not everyone has changed with the times.
The bigotry used in the story is based on people I have come in contact with, comments from strangers that really make me wonder, and not in a good way. Both of my sons have long hair and have had for most of their lives. This means they often get mistaken for girls and I end up in situations such as the following.
Random stranger around my age: What a beautiful daughter you have, it’s a pity you’ve dressed her in boys’ clothes.
Me, taking a step back: I really don’t think my son is interested in wearing dresses.
Random stranger, shaking her head and gesturing towards my son: No, your daughter there.
Me, trying not to grin: That’s my son.
Random stranger: He’s got long hair.
Me, thinking not so complimentary thoughts: I know.
Random stranger, with a look part horror, part disbelief and part who knows what: You should cut his hair! He’ll grow up to be gay.
Me, staring at the stranger in disbelief: My kids are welcome to grow up to be whatever they want to be.
You might say that’s only one person. Nope, it wasn’t. I’ve lost count of the people, from various age groups including much younger than me, who’ve told me my kids are going to grow up gay because of either their hair or hobbies.
And it’s not just the people I talk to randomly when I’m out and about, but people who come up to me and start chatting. It doesn’t matter where I am either or what town. Luckily not everyone is like that and I’ve met some very interesting people over the years. People who have fascinating things to say and who’ve led marvellous lives and done great things. People who remind me that there’s a lot of good in humanity.
I still shake my head when I think of the amount of times I’ve been told that I should make my boys cut their hair or they’ll end up gay. I mean, seriously, if that’s the case, it’s a wonder the human race has survived. History has a lot of eras where the men all had long hair. But I know that’s not the only myth still in existence. I’m sure other people have had similar experiences. What’s the hardest to believe or just plain ridiculous fallacy you’ve ever encountered?