Tuesday 17 May 2016

Blog Hop for Visibility, Awareness and Equality


 

17th May is the International Day against homophobia, bi- and transphobia. You can find more information here.

Heroes

This hop is about visibility, awareness and equality. I joined late, having missed the announcement, so I wasn’t sure what to write about but then I remembered this post by Sue Brown about heroes and the dangers of putting them on pedestals. This had made me think about my heroes.

When I was young my heroes were mostly footballers – not much visibility there, but hopefully more awareness than when I was a teenager. Another lifelong love is Katherine Hepburn, still my favourite actor. A strong woman who worked in an industry at a time when appearance was often considered more important than talent. Now, I’d say two of my biggest heroes are John Barrowman and Misha Collins.
 
 

Here are my two favourites together. I hope they won’t mind me using this image which sums up both men for me. I can honestly say I don’t put them on pedestals and I don’t think either would feel comfortable there. JB is all about visibility and awareness. He doesn’t hide his sexuality, as anyone who follows him on the media knows. In fact many would accuse him of oversharing considering his last Facebook video gave us all an extra bonus in the shape of his husband, Scott. With JB you love him or you don’t. He is great with his fans and supports lots of charities including a shelter for LGBT youth near his Californian home. His work ethic is second to none as he travels around the world. He is quite simply an entertainer who personifies out and proud.

My other hero, Misha Collins is perhaps less well known in Britain. He plays the angel Castiel in Supernatural. I didn’t start watching that show until it had already got to season seven. I binged the early seasons and fell in love with Castiel the moment he strode onto the set. Since then, I’ve also come to love the man behind the role he plays. He too works tirelessly for charity, creating both Random Acts of Kindness and GISHWHES – the greatest scavenger hunt the world has ever seen. He’s also been visible in his support of LGBT rights and commented on how Supernatural has dealt with LGBT characters. This, I am pleased to say is improving.

Whether they are perfect or flawed, we all need our heroes. We need people who will take a stand. John Barrowman and Misha Collins are two of mine. Who are your heroes?
 
 
 
Anyone who makes a comment on this post before 24th May will be entered to win a signed copy of either Sporting Chance, Comfort Zone or Choosing Home (out in July) Please leave your e-mail address for me to contact you.

Thank you for supporting this important cause. This link will take you to other participating blogs.


 

33 comments:

  1. I LOVE JB!!

    My heroes are my friends who are teachers. Anyone who can put up with the kids that we send to school to get a break are amazing. Nothing but respect for them.

    amasedo@hotmail.com

    AnnMarie

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    1. I'll second that. Having been a teacher for 30 years I know how hard they work.

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  2. I didn't know Misha Collins before now, and it's great to see the work that he and Barrowman do!

    Trix, vitajex(At)aol(Dot)com

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  3. Thanks - I adore both men for their work in entertainment and their charity work.

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  4. Thank you for the post! A couple of heroes of mine are John Stewart and Elizabeth Warren.

    jen(dot)f(at)mac(dot)com

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    1. I love how Elizabeth Warren calls out Donald Trump.

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  5. These posts are wonderful. I do have several heroes and heroines. I think they are the authors doing this.
    debby236 at gmail dot com

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  6. Great post. I don't generally think of people in the way of hero's but maybe I should take a closer look ;)

    Beeheeley(@)gmail(.)com

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    1. I suppose they are more people I admire but I've never been one to put them on pedestals. I like my heroes flawed like my characters - makes them more interesting.

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  7. I had to look up John Barrowman and Misha Collins, wasn't sure who they were, lol. Thank you for the post.
    humhumbum AT yahoo DOT com

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    1. It helps if you are Torchwood, Doctor Who or Supernatural fans. I love them.

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  8. Heroes come in all varieties, that's for sure! My heroes growing up were mostly artists of all types and activists (that's what happens when you're raised by an activist, LOL). Only as an adult did I learn many of my childhood heroes are *also* LGBTQ+ people! And many who didn't/don't identify that way are still active allies. Kudos to all the artists who keep writing, singing, acting, painting in ways that celebrate our diversity. :)

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    1. Absolutely. The likes of John Barrowman and Gareth Thomas do so much to encourage others.

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  9. Thank you for taking part in the Hop!
    (I adore Misha-and Castiel- too.)

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    1. My pleasure. What's not to adore about Misha Collins. I'm looking forward to seeing all the posts out of JIBCON this weekend.

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  10. I enjoyed the post, Misha Collins and John Barrowman are great guys and it's wonderful to see how much work they do for LGBT charities and rights.

    ShirleyAnn(at)speakman40(dot)freeserve(dot)co(dot)uk

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  11. Oh my gosh I just about lost my cool when John's husband's... ... ... made its appearance on that webcast! 😂

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    1. I think everyone other than Scott did. It was hilarious to see his reaction.

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  12. I love those two, and that picture!

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    1. Yep and they often take that sort of photo. JB calls him his Mishaman!

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  13. my daughter and I are always checking out John Barrowman and Misha Collins youtube vids...these 2 are awesome!

    leetee2007(at)hotmail(dot)com

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    1. They are. I'm looking forward to all the videos from JIBCON this weekend especially Misha's panels.

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  14. I like your heroes, Alexa. It shows we grow up when we move from the ideals of our teens to real people who fight for what it is right. Great post
    susanaperez7140(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. Thanks - as I say these two may not be perfect but they practice what they preach.

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  15. Alexa,
    what a lovely post! Refreshing, and encouraging. Thank you. I so needed to read this today.
    Cherie Noel, Hop Admin

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    1. Thanks I wanted to reference people who support the cause through their words and actions.

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  16. Alexa,
    what a lovely post! Refreshing, and encouraging. Thank you. I so needed to read this today.
    Cherie Noel, Hop Admin

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  17. Thanks for being part of the hop.
    sstrode at scrtc dot com

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  18. Entered the numbers 1 to 15 into random generator and 11 came out which means B. A Brock you win.

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  19. I just have to say, you broke me with that photo. I love those two, they make my day and now I cannot stop geeking about this, lol.

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    1. I have some other photos they have done together. I'd love to get them in the same show.

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