The Covenant: The Blog Tour

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Hi again, y’all! It’s the last day of The Covenant Blog Tour! We were at three blogs today, Lovebytes, Elisa Rolle, and Alpha Book Club! As always, all blogs have the Rafflecopter linked, so you can enter at any and all to win a signed print copy of The Covenant!

Love Bytes http://lovebytesreviews.com/2016/01/28/blog-tour-interview-excerpt-giveaway-m-leanne-phoenix-the-covenant/

Elisa – My Reviews and Ramblings http://elisa-rolle.livejournal.com/3259381.html — Has Part 2 of “Halley’s Comet” (a Covenant short)

Alpha Book Club http://reviews-and-ramblings.dreamwidth.org/4786179.html — Has Part 2 of “Halley’s Comet” (a Covenant short)

The contest still has six days, so you’ve still got time to win… and it’s so easy to do.

The Covenant Printable 330 6x9 with logo

What People are Saying about The Covenant:

The Covenant will strip you bare and then carry you up out of darkness and into the light. It’s one of the most powerfully emotional stories I’ve ever read.”– Carly’s Book Reviews

“I stayed up until 4:18 am on Saturday because I couldn’t put this book down, and I was all puffy eyed on Sunday, because I cried so much while reading, but it was well worth it. This is definitely one of my favorite angsty reads ever and one I’ll have to revisit again once I have some free time. All in all, a fantastic read!”–Bayou Book Junkie

“… I referred to David as the hero, and this is absolutely true. Like his biblical counterpart, David faces many giants, and each time, he comes out stronger. David is a fascinating character, and I have to wonder if he lived in our current time whether he would consider himself genderfluid or another non-binary identity. He’s shown as a sweet, feminine boy who might be mistaken for being delicate or weak—and this is how those who hate him want to see him. But he isn’t, and he repeatedly proves that he is both strong enough to fight for himself and strong enough to trust the people who love him to be at his side.” —A. M. Leibowitz

The Blurb:

When love is forbidden, who can you trust?

Seventeen year old David has been best friends with Jonathan for as long as he can remember, but the day he sees the pastor’s daughter press a soft kiss to Jonathan’s cheek everything changes. Overcome by jealousy, his explosive reaction reveals a deeper connection that sends their relationship spiraling down into dangerous territory.

When their clandestine love is discovered, they have nowhere to turn for help. The brutal circumstances of their parting test David and Jonathan’s  covenant to each other in unimaginable ways. Forced to face their fears, it is in their darkest moments that the two young men discover that the courage, hope, and strength they need to to fight for their love, has been the foundation of their covenant all along.

Where to Buy:

CoolDudes: http://www.cooldudespublishing.com/the-covenant/

Gumroad: https://gumroad.com/l/foVw

ARe: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-thecovenant-1937665-149.html

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1NkQLzv

Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B018RBXPJ6/

Goodreads:https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/28052976-the-covenant

The Covenant: The Blog Tour

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Hi again, y’all! It’s Day Nine of The Covenant Blog Tour! We were at two blogs today, Jessie G. Books and BFD Book Blog! As always, all blogs have the Rafflecopter linked, so you can enter at any and all to win a signed print copy of The Covenant!

Jessie G. Books http://wp.me/p5wi3H-Yh

BFD Book Blog http://bfdbookblog.net/2016/01/blog-tour-stop-including-excerpt-giveaway-covenant-by-m-leanne-phoenix/

The contest is running throughout the whole tour, so you’ve got plenty of chances to win… and it’s so easy to do.

The Covenant Printable 330 6x9 with logo

What People are Saying about The Covenant:

The Covenant will strip you bare and then carry you up out of darkness and into the light. It’s one of the most powerfully emotional stories I’ve ever read.”– Carly’s Book Reviews

“I stayed up until 4:18 am on Saturday because I couldn’t put this book down, and I was all puffy eyed on Sunday, because I cried so much while reading, but it was well worth it. This is definitely one of my favorite angsty reads ever and one I’ll have to revisit again once I have some free time. All in all, a fantastic read!”–Bayou Book Junkie

“… I referred to David as the hero, and this is absolutely true. Like his biblical counterpart, David faces many giants, and each time, he comes out stronger. David is a fascinating character, and I have to wonder if he lived in our current time whether he would consider himself genderfluid or another non-binary identity. He’s shown as a sweet, feminine boy who might be mistaken for being delicate or weak—and this is how those who hate him want to see him. But he isn’t, and he repeatedly proves that he is both strong enough to fight for himself and strong enough to trust the people who love him to be at his side.” —A. M. Leibowitz

The Blurb:

When love is forbidden, who can you trust?

Seventeen year old David has been best friends with Jonathan for as long as he can remember, but the day he sees the pastor’s daughter press a soft kiss to Jonathan’s cheek everything changes. Overcome by jealousy, his explosive reaction reveals a deeper connection that sends their relationship spiraling down into dangerous territory.

When their clandestine love is discovered, they have nowhere to turn for help. The brutal circumstances of their parting test David and Jonathan’s  covenant to each other in unimaginable ways. Forced to face their fears, it is in their darkest moments that the two young men discover that the courage, hope, and strength they need to to fight for their love, has been the foundation of their covenant all along.

Where to Buy:

CoolDudes: http://www.cooldudespublishing.com/the-covenant/

Gumroad: https://gumroad.com/l/foVw

ARe: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-thecovenant-1937665-149.html

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1NkQLzv

Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B018RBXPJ6/

Goodreads:https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/28052976-the-covenant

The Covenant: The Blog Tour

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Hi again, y’all! It’s Day Eight of The Covenant Blog Tour! Yesterday, I was only at one blog, so I rolled my blog post for yesterday and today into one! We’ve got a couple of author interviews and a few reviews in the mix as well! As always, all blogs have the Rafflecopter linked, so you can enter at any and all to win a signed print copy of The Covenant!

MM Good Book Reviews: https://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com/2016/01/25/the-covenant-by-m-leanne-phoenix-blog-tour-excerpt-review-giveaway/

Wicked Faerie’s Tales and Reviews: http://wickedfaeriesreviews.blogspot.com/2016/01/the-covenant-by-m-leanne-phoenix-blog.html

Inked Rainbow Reads: http://wp.me/p5PC5u-2ea

Dawn’s Reading Nook: http://dawnsreadingnook.blogspot.com/2016/01/tour-stop-giveaway-for-covenant.html

A.M. Leibowitz http://amleibowitz.com/2016/01/26/book-tour-the-covenant-by-m-leanne-phoenix/

The contest is running throughout the whole tour, so you’ve got plenty of chances to win… and it’s so easy to do.

The Covenant Printable 330 6x9 with logo

What People are Saying about The Covenant:

The Covenant will strip you bare and then carry you up out of darkness and into the light. It’s one of the most powerfully emotional stories I’ve ever read.”– Carly’s Book Reviews

“I stayed up until 4:18 am on Saturday because I couldn’t put this book down, and I was all puffy eyed on Sunday, because I cried so much while reading, but it was well worth it. This is definitely one of my favorite angsty reads ever and one I’ll have to revisit again once I have some free time. All in all, a fantastic read!”–Bayou Book Junkie

“… I referred to David as the hero, and this is absolutely true. Like his biblical counterpart, David faces many giants, and each time, he comes out stronger. David is a fascinating character, and I have to wonder if he lived in our current time whether he would consider himself genderfluid or another non-binary identity. He’s shown as a sweet, feminine boy who might be mistaken for being delicate or weak—and this is how those who hate him want to see him. But he isn’t, and he repeatedly proves that he is both strong enough to fight for himself and strong enough to trust the people who love him to be at his side.” —A. M. Leibowitz

The Blurb:

When love is forbidden, who can you trust?

Seventeen year old David has been best friends with Jonathan for as long as he can remember, but the day he sees the pastor’s daughter press a soft kiss to Jonathan’s cheek everything changes. Overcome by jealousy, his explosive reaction reveals a deeper connection that sends their relationship spiraling down into dangerous territory.

When their clandestine love is discovered, they have nowhere to turn for help. The brutal circumstances of their parting test David and Jonathan’s  covenant to each other in unimaginable ways. Forced to face their fears, it is in their darkest moments that the two young men discover that the courage, hope, and strength they need to to fight for their love, has been the foundation of their covenant all along.

Where to Buy:

CoolDudes: http://www.cooldudespublishing.com/the-covenant/

Gumroad: https://gumroad.com/l/foVw

ARe: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-thecovenant-1937665-149.html

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1NkQLzv

Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B018RBXPJ6/

Goodreads:https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/28052976-the-covenant

The Covenant: The Blog Tour

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Hi again, y’all! It’s Day Six of The Covenant Blog Tour! I was only at two blogs today, Havan Fellows and Happily Ever Chapter! As always, all blogs have the Rafflecopter linked, so you can enter at any and all to win a signed print copy of The Covenant!

Havan Fellows http://havanshawthaven.blogspot.com/2016/01/m-leanne-phoenix-shares-covenant-with.html
Happily Ever Chapter https://www.facebook.com/happilyeverchapter/posts/432331600292246

The contest is running throughout the whole tour, so you’ve got plenty of chances to win… and it’s so easy to do.

The Covenant Printable 330 6x9 with logo

What People are Saying about The Covenant:

The Covenant will strip you bare and then carry you up out of darkness and into the light. It’s one of the most powerfully emotional stories I’ve ever read.”– Carly’s Book Reviews

“I stayed up until 4:18 am on Saturday because I couldn’t put this book down, and I was all puffy eyed on Sunday, because I cried so much while reading, but it was well worth it. This is definitely one of my favorite angsty reads ever and one I’ll have to revisit again once I have some free time. All in all, a fantastic read!”–Bayou Book Junkie

“… I referred to David as the hero, and this is absolutely true. Like his biblical counterpart, David faces many giants, and each time, he comes out stronger. David is a fascinating character, and I have to wonder if he lived in our current time whether he would consider himself genderfluid or another non-binary identity. He’s shown as a sweet, feminine boy who might be mistaken for being delicate or weak—and this is how those who hate him want to see him. But he isn’t, and he repeatedly proves that he is both strong enough to fight for himself and strong enough to trust the people who love him to be at his side.” —A. M. Leibowitz

The Blurb:

When love is forbidden, who can you trust?

Seventeen year old David has been best friends with Jonathan for as long as he can remember, but the day he sees the pastor’s daughter press a soft kiss to Jonathan’s cheek everything changes. Overcome by jealousy, his explosive reaction reveals a deeper connection that sends their relationship spiraling down into dangerous territory.

When their clandestine love is discovered, they have nowhere to turn for help. The brutal circumstances of their parting test David and Jonathan’s  covenant to each other in unimaginable ways. Forced to face their fears, it is in their darkest moments that the two young men discover that the courage, hope, and strength they need to to fight for their love, has been the foundation of their covenant all along.

Where to Buy:

CoolDudes: http://www.cooldudespublishing.com/the-covenant/

Gumroad: https://gumroad.com/l/foVw

ARe: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-thecovenant-1937665-149.html

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1NkQLzv

Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B018RBXPJ6/

Goodreads:https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/28052976-the-covenant

 

The Covenant: The Blog Tour

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Hey there, y’all! It’s Day Four and Five of The Covenant Blog Tour! I was at three blogs on the 20th and two today, the 21st! Louise Lyons, Michael Mandrake and My Fiction Nook hosted us yesterday. Today, we’re at Iyana Jenna and Hearts on Fire! As always, all blogs have the Rafflecopter linked, so you can enter at any and all to win a signed print copy of The Covenant!

Louise Lyons http://www.louiselyonsauthor.com/the-covenant-by-m-leanne-phoenix/

Michael Mandrake https://michaelmandrake.wordpress.com/2016/01/20/pride-promo-the-covenant-m-leanne-phoenix-blogtour-contest/

My Fiction Nook http://www.myfictionnook.com/2016/01/blogtour-covenant-by-m-leanne-phoenix.html

Iyana Jenna https://iyanajennaauthor.wordpress.com/2016/01/21/14423/

Hearts on Fire http://heartsonfirereviews.com/m-leanne-phoenix-covenant-excerpt-tour-and-giveaway/

The contest is running throughout the whole tour, so you’ve got plenty of chances to win… and it’s so easy to do.

The Covenant Printable 330 6x9 with logo

What People are Saying about The Covenant:

The Covenant will strip you bare and then carry you up out of darkness and into the light. It’s one of the most powerfully emotional stories I’ve ever read.”– Carly’s Book Reviews

“I stayed up until 4:18 am on Saturday because I couldn’t put this book down, and I was all puffy eyed on Sunday, because I cried so much while reading, but it was well worth it. This is definitely one of my favorite angsty reads ever and one I’ll have to revisit again once I have some free time. All in all, a fantastic read!”–Bayou Book Junkie

“… I referred to David as the hero, and this is absolutely true. Like his biblical counterpart, David faces many giants, and each time, he comes out stronger. David is a fascinating character, and I have to wonder if he lived in our current time whether he would consider himself genderfluid or another non-binary identity. He’s shown as a sweet, feminine boy who might be mistaken for being delicate or weak—and this is how those who hate him want to see him. But he isn’t, and he repeatedly proves that he is both strong enough to fight for himself and strong enough to trust the people who love him to be at his side.” —A. M. Leibowitz

The Blurb:

When love is forbidden, who can you trust?

Seventeen year old David has been best friends with Jonathan for as long as he can remember, but the day he sees the pastor’s daughter press a soft kiss to Jonathan’s cheek everything changes. Overcome by jealousy, his explosive reaction reveals a deeper connection that sends their relationship spiraling down into dangerous territory.

When their clandestine love is discovered, they have nowhere to turn for help. The brutal circumstances of their parting test David and Jonathan’s  covenant to each other in unimaginable ways. Forced to face their fears, it is in their darkest moments that the two young men discover that the courage, hope, and strength they need to to fight for their love, has been the foundation of their covenant all along.

Where to Buy:

CoolDudes: http://www.cooldudespublishing.com/the-covenant/

Gumroad: https://gumroad.com/l/foVw

ARe: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-thecovenant-1937665-149.html

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1NkQLzv

Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B018RBXPJ6/

Goodreads:https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/28052976-the-covenant

The Covenant: The Blog Tour

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Hey there, y’all! It’s Day Three of The Covenant Blog Tour! Like yesterday, I’m at three blogs. Bayou Book Junkie graciously made space for David and Jonathan, as did Unquietly Me, and Nephy’s YA/NA site, Rainbow Warriors, also hosted us today. As before, all blogs have the Rafflecopter linked, so you can enter at any and all to win a signed print copy of The Covenant!

Bayou Book Junkie: http://bayoubookjunkie.blogspot.com/2016/01/virtual-book-tour-covenant-by-m-leanne.html – two 5 star reviews! Character interview! Wanna meet David and Jonathan for real? 🙂 They answer a smattering of questions at Bayou Book Junkie!

Unquietly Me http://unquietlyme.com/2016/01/19/the-covenant-by-m-leanne-phoenix-excerpt-giveaway/

Rainbow Warriors http://cherylheadford.blogspot.co.uk/2016/01/the-covenant-by-m-leanne-phoenix.html

The contest is running throughout the whole tour, so you’ve got plenty of chances to win… and it’s so easy to do.

The Covenant Printable 330 6x9 with logo

What People are Saying about The Covenant:

The Covenant will strip you bare and then carry you up out of darkness and into the light. It’s one of the most powerfully emotional stories I’ve ever read.”– Carly’s Book Reviews

“The bond and love David and Jonathan share runs deep. Something that I truly believe may be unbreakable.”–Bayou Book Junkie

“… I referred to David as the hero, and this is absolutely true. Like his biblical counterpart, David faces many giants, and each time, he comes out stronger. David is a fascinating character, and I have to wonder if he lived in our current time whether he would consider himself genderfluid or another non-binary identity. He’s shown as a sweet, feminine boy who might be mistaken for being delicate or weak—and this is how those who hate him want to see him. But he isn’t, and he repeatedly proves that he is both strong enough to fight for himself and strong enough to trust the people who love him to be at his side.” —A. M. Leibowitz

The Blurb:

When love is forbidden, who can you trust?

Seventeen year old David has been best friends with Jonathan for as long as he can remember, but the day he sees the pastor’s daughter press a soft kiss to Jonathan’s cheek everything changes. Overcome by jealousy, his explosive reaction reveals a deeper connection that sends their relationship spiraling down into dangerous territory.

When their clandestine love is discovered, they have nowhere to turn for help. The brutal circumstances of their parting test David and Jonathan’s  covenant to each other in unimaginable ways. Forced to face their fears, it is in their darkest moments that the two young men discover that the courage, hope, and strength they need to to fight for their love, has been the foundation of their covenant all along.

Where to Buy:

CoolDudes: http://www.cooldudespublishing.com/the-covenant/

Gumroad: https://gumroad.com/l/foVw

ARe: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-thecovenant-1937665-149.html

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1NkQLzv

Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B018RBXPJ6/

Goodreads:https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/28052976-the-covenant

 

The Covenant: The Blog Tour

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Haha! It’s Day Two of The Covenant Blog Tour! Today finds us at three lovely spots! First, we landed at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words, then at The Kimi-chan Experience, and finally at Nephy’s World. Alllll places you can enter to win a signed print copy of The Covenant!

The contest is running throughout the whole tour, so you’ve got plenty of chances to win… and it’s so easy to do. 🙂 The Rafflecopter actually tells you what to do to enter.

Day Two– January 18, 2016

Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words http://scatteredthoughtsandroguewords.com/2016/01/18/in-the-book-spotlight-the-covenant-covenant-series-1-by-m-leanne-phoenix/

The Kimi-chan Experience http://kimichanexperience.com/blog-tour-the-covenant-by-m-leanne-phoenix-with-excerpt-and-giveaway/

Nephy’s World http://nephylim-author.blogspot.co.uk/2016/01/the-covenant-by-m-leanne-phoenix.html?zx=32905c9e3d036d29

The Covenant Printable 330 6x9 with logo

What People are Saying about The Covenant:

The Covenant will strip you bare and then carry you up out of darkness and into the light. It’s one of the most powerfully emotional stories I’ve ever read.”– Carly’s Book Reviews

“The bond and love David and Jonathan share runs deep. Something that I truly believe may be unbreakable.”–Bayou Book Junkie

“… I referred to David as the hero, and this is absolutely true. Like his biblical counterpart, David faces many giants, and each time, he comes out stronger. David is a fascinating character, and I have to wonder if he lived in our current time whether he would consider himself genderfluid or another non-binary identity. He’s shown as a sweet, feminine boy who might be mistaken for being delicate or weak—and this is how those who hate him want to see him. But he isn’t, and he repeatedly proves that he is both strong enough to fight for himself and strong enough to trust the people who love him to be at his side.” —A. M. Leibowitz

The Blurb:

When love is forbidden, who can you trust?

Seventeen year old David has been best friends with Jonathan for as long as he can remember, but the day he sees the pastor’s daughter press a soft kiss to Jonathan’s cheek everything changes. Overcome by jealousy, his explosive reaction reveals a deeper connection that sends their relationship spiraling down into dangerous territory.

When their clandestine love is discovered, they have nowhere to turn for help. The brutal circumstances of their parting test David and Jonathan’s  covenant to each other in unimaginable ways. Forced to face their fears, it is in their darkest moments that the two young men discover that the courage, hope, and strength they need to to fight for their love, has been the foundation of their covenant all along.

Where to Buy:

CoolDudes: http://www.cooldudespublishing.com/the-covenant/

Gumroad: https://gumroad.com/l/foVw

ARe: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-thecovenant-1937665-149.html

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1NkQLzv

Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B018RBXPJ6/

Goodreads:https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/28052976-the-covenant

The Covenant: The Blog Tour

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Pride Promotions put this tour together, so this post will be updated daily, letting you know where to find all the good stuff! Each blog has exclusive content along with the usual– the blurb, the cover, the buy links, about the author– and so you’ll want to go see all of them. Rumor has it, some of the blogs have pieces of a short story, too. (But you didn’t hear that from me!)

Oh, and did I mention there’s a giveaway?

The Covenant Printable 330 6x9 with logo

The above art, done by Kellie Dennis of Book Cover by Design, is for the print copy. I love it! I fell in love with her art through a friend of mine, and I’ve secured her to do the rest of Covenant Series, too. She’s good people.

So without further adieu, here are the stops.

Day One– January 15, 2016 RELEASE DAY

Prism Book Alliance: http://www.prismbookalliance.com/2016/01/m-leanne-phoenix-on-the-covenant-covenant-series-1-excerpt-guest-blog-rafflecopter-giveaway/

KathyMac Reviews: http://kathymacreviews.com/blog-kathy-mac-reviews/2015/11/28/blog-tour-m-leanne-phoenix-the-covenant-excerpt-giveaway

Velvet Panic: https://velvetpanic2.wordpress.com/2016/01/15/blog-tour-and-giveaway-covenant-by-m-leanne-phoenix/

Mikky’s World of Books: http://mikkysworldofbooks.blogspot.ro/2016/01/excerpt-author-interview-giveaway.html

Carly’s Book Reviews: http://carlysbookreviews.blogspot.com/2016/01/the-covenant-by-m-leanne-phoenix-review.html

 

Gratitude…

I just wanted to say many thanks to all the blogs that participated in my Cover Reveal for The Covenant yesterday. I just finished going through the links and thankee’ing you all individually– it was a blast and I hope to see you all next month as well for RELEASE DAY!!!

And now an aside! 😀 The Rafflecopter is set up to run through the 9th… prize is a signed copy of The Covenant. Who wants it? You still have six days to sign up!

Here it is again, a gratuitous display of an awesome cover– THANKEE, THANKEE, KELLIE DENNIS!!!!

The Covenant E-Book Cover with logo

HOP AGAINST HOMOPHOBIA, BI- AND TRANSPHOBIA: ALWAYS KEEP FIGHTING

HAHABT 2015

I remember the first time I ever thought about taking my own life.

I was eighteen. I had just gone through the most traumatic event I’d ever been through and I had to go to prom not twelve hours later. I knew that if I told anyone what had happened, they’d never believe me and so I didn’t… and prom is still—twenty odd years later—kind of a blur. I mean, I remember the big moments, but not the stuff I wish I remember… I don’t remember talking to my best friends, and I barely remember what one of them wore. I only remember my prom dress because it was a good day with my mom and because I wore it a few times afterwards to The Church, a goth club in Dallas, Texas. Everything of that day was overshadowed by the fact that I couldn’t think about anything but what had happened that night, and truth be told, I still have problems when I think about it.

So let’s set a few things straight on the outset. Number One: I’m a gay woman and I’ve known that I was gay for a long time. Number Two: I was raised in a very Christian household located in the buckle of the Bible belt (Texas). Number Three: I came out quite hesitantly in 2008, in Las Vegas, Nevada… but I am still not out to my family in Texas.

Coming out, for anyone, is not an easy thing to do. I don’t think it’d be any easier for someone who had the perfect circumstances versus someone who didn’t. You come out twice, really—once to yourself and once in some public fashion. I remember standing in my bathroom, staring in the mirror like the nice book suggested, and saying those words. I am gay. Do you know how hard it is to get around the programming? For me, it was 33 years of it… and so looking myself in the eye to say those three words—I am gay—was emotional. It’s surreal to look back, only seven years later, and see how hard it was for me

… and then I think about what it must be like to have been Leelah or Cameron or Taylor, to inherently know that you were born in the wrong body. To wake up every morning knowing that the bullying you’ll get at school won’t just be over a stupid club thumb (true) or because you’re fat (true), but because the kids at school have been raised by bigots. To know that when you come home, you face more of the same.

To know that you have nowhere to go to feel safe, and loved, and needed.

It breaks my heart to think about these children, these wonderful and beautiful children, who feel so very, very alone—as I did when I was their age—and who also endure so much. It breaks my heart because I didn’t think it was possible to live through it, but I did. I had an amazing friend named Rhonda held me tight  and talked me down in the wee hours of the morning after prom. I think that the only reason I made it through is because of my two best friends, Rhonda and Holly. Support is a necessity! Without it, I wouldn’t be here writing this post.

The National Suicide Hotline posts frequently on Facebook and whenever I see the ads, I share them immediately. I also share the messages from organizations like To Write Love on Her Arms, The Trevor Project, and It Gets Better; I share them because it does get better. Easier? Only because you become practiced at it and you realize exactly how much you can take… and because you do find friends that become family. You grow, and you grow stronger with each day that passes and each new obstacle you face. You bloom and you grow some more. You get better and as you get better, life gets better. You don’t get over it, but you get through it. Each day, you go through this process and each day, you get to the end and realize that you made it.

The key to it all is this: you may think you don’t have someone to be your champion, but you do. You have YOU and you are STRONG. You are BEAUTIFUL. You are AMAZING. You are WORTH IT. Bigots will always exist and they will always try to chip away at you, but YOU can weather them. YOU can do something they don’t want you to do and that’s LIVE.

And remember this: WE LOVE YOU. Even if you don’t take away anything else from my post, read these words over and over and over until you know them and you can hear us saying them to you: WE LOVE YOU. We love you for all of what you consider to be your weaknesses and for every single solitary strength you possess. We love you because you are YOU. Perfect and wonderful you and we will ALWAYS love you and we will ALWAYS fight for you. Family does not stop with blood and you are family.

So never give up. Never give in. Always keep fighting because you are worth fighting for, and this life of yours—it is worth fighting for! I will keep fighting—for you and for me and for all our brothers and sisters.

IDAHOT

I am including in my post the specs for a giveaway. In the comment box below tell me: 1/ what makes you happiest, 2/ what song gets you through the hard days, 3/ what is your favorite word and why… and I will choose one winner on May 25 to receive a copy of both World’s End and Butterflies are Free!