What We Mean by the Term "Rape Culture" by Jamie Fessenden

Jamie's newest book, Violated, is a story about male rape and our systems' failures to acknowledge and prosecute it. Read more here.

He wrote an important blog post entitled, "What We Mean by the Term Rape Culture." I encourage you to read it and understand what is meant by the term and why we, unfortunately, live in one.

"We’re having a very hard time convincing everyone in our society that sex needs be consensual. Always. There aren’t exceptions. Why is this so hard to fathom?" ...Jamie Fessendon

Jamie writes books for young adults under the pseudonym 

James Erich and you can find him on his blog here.

Slaying Isidore's Dragons Book Tour Kickoff - Timmy Interviews Isidore!

Welcome to Slaying Isidore’s Dragons' Book Tour Kickoff! Beginning today through April 25th, follow along for Fun Facts, never-before-seen Excerpts, Interviews, Character Interviews, interesting Blog Posts, and chances to win each of my books!

Follow Slaying Isidore’s Dragons’ Book Tour!

Now available in print and ebook at
Dreamspinner/Harmony Ink Press
Amazon   GooglePlay   Barnes & Noble

Ingram Books for Libraries and Schools

I have the great pleasure of having Timmy on my blog again and to help me kick off the book tour he interviews Isidore! This is his first character interview and he worked incredibly hard to develop questions and, as always, his questions are thoughtful and thought provoking. Isidore brought Declan along with him today and we also have the pleasure of meeting Ashley, Timmy’s sister and best friend! For those of you who have not read the blurb on Slaying Isidore's Dragons (below), Isidore is French and Declan is Irish. In this interview, Declan refers to Isidore as mo chroí which is Gaelic for 'my heart' and is pronounced me cree.  

Let’s hear it for Timmy and his guests! Take it away, Timmy!

Haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah the crowd goes wild!

Timmy: Thanks for joining me today, Isidore. It’s great to have you here.

Isidore: Thank you for inviting me, Timmy.

Timmy: You brought Declan with you, so I thought I’d bring my best friend, Ashley—

Ashley: Aloha!

Timmy: —Thank you for joining us, Declan.

Declan: *pauses and blushes*

Isidore: Is something wrong?

Declan: No, no. Just never done this before. It’s a little intimidating.

Isidore: Why are you intimidated? He is interviewing me.

Ashley: *cracks up*

Declan: *chuckles* Right. Thanks for having me, Timmy. I’m glad to be here.

Timmy: *smiles* Okay, let’s get started. Isidore, I know how it feels to be under the microscope and I, for one, do not like answering questions of any kind, so I appreciate your willingness to be here and the pressure I’m sure you are feeling.

Isidore: *nods appreciatively* Thank you.

::applause::

Timmy: Our mutual friend Cody says, ‘abuse doesn’t define you,’ but I have a hard time believing this. I believe in many ways my abuse not only defines me, but also made me who I am today. What are your thoughts on this?

Ashley: Wow. Start off with hard question, why don’t you.

Timmy: *glares at Ashley*

Ashley: *shrugs* Sorry.

Isidore: It is certain that what my brothers did to me is a part of me, but not all of me, nor who I wish to become. *looks at Declan* Nor is the right word?

Declan: Or, nor, doesn’t matter. They know what you mean.

Timmy: Thank you.

Isidore: Pardon. I wish to answer more.

Timmy: Go for it.

Isidore: At this time, I only begin to feel a little bit me. With Declan’s help, and my new home and mother, Sorcha, I begin to learn a little about me, who I am. I see things differently now and I see new things I have never seen before. I think it will take the little time for me to learn me. What has happened will always be a part of me, and some days are very hard for me, but I do not wish it to define all of me.

Timmy: Good answer, Isidore.

::applause::

Timmy: I have many questions I would like answered by my parents. I know I will never get those answers, but that doesn’t stop me from wondering. If you could ask your mother anything, what would it be?

Ashley: Dude, these are hard questions!

Timmy: Stop.

Declan: *laughs softly*

Isidore: *smiling* She likes to interrupt, oui?

Timmy: She wouldn’t be my Ash if she wasn’t outspoken.

Isidore: This is good. I like this. Okay. I think the questions I would like to ask my mother, she would not be able to answer. I think she found herself in a place, in a life that she did not imagine for herself or want for us, and she did not plan. She knew what was happening but could not stop it. So, like this, if she did try to answer something, it would be that she is sorry that she did not do better for me.

::applause::

Timmy: I had a friend who was very important to me when I was young. She was the only friend that didn’t hurt me and was always there for me. She died in a car accident and I struggled with her death a lot. What do you do to get through the loss of your mother?

Isidore: *sadness fills face* I miss her. I am still processing this loss. To me the pain is so great that it is hard for me. I try to focus on the good things with her and I try to keep her alive in my drawings.

Timmy: Thank you, I know that was a very hard question and I miss my friend a lot too. I have two people in my life who have helped me very much, one of whom gave me the courage to leave my past life. Do you think you would have left if it hadn’t been for Declan?

Isidore: Never. I am afraid.... No, this is not the right word. I am terrified all of the time. For me, my life is only waiting for the next pain, the next degrade of my person, the next insult, the next humiliation. I have troubles with my mind. I forget things. Sometimes I cannot know what I am to do or say. It is a constant state of...of...what is the word? Tormente?

Declan: Turmoil? Chaos?

Isidore: Ah, this is the perfect word. Chaos. This is the word in French too.

Declan: *smiles* Ill.

Isidore: *smiles* Ill, this means good.

Ashley: See? Isidore’s cool.

Timmy: *side-eyes at Ashley* Go on, Isidore.

Isidore: *looks at Declan* This cool is good?

Declan: *chuckles* Yeah, babe. It’s ill.

Isidore: Ah, okay. Thank you, Ashley. I do not believe I have ever been cool to anyone.

Ashley: You are.

Declan: You’re the coolest, mo chroí.

Isidore: *smiles* Okay, so, like this, I have no strength and, to me, I do not have the worth of a... of an... ant. I try to be a good person and I wish to be loved, but I cannot find the way to do this without Declan. I do not have the strength without him. With him, I can see a little bit of me through his eyes, the way he talks to me, the way he is always sure I am safe. I hold this close in my heart and mind, and I make the courage for me. One day, I would like to be the Isidore in his eyes.

Declan: *squeezes Isidore’s hand* You are the Isidore in my eyes, you just don’t see it yet. But you will. Give it time.

::applause::

Ashley: *looks at Timmy* Declan’s good for Isidore.

Timmy: *smiles* Yeah, he is. Isidore, I often felt like I didn’t deserve my new life and struggled with wanting to go back, not because I wasn’t happy, but because it’s what I thought I deserved. Do you ever feel this way?

Isidore: I believe the question is when do I not feel this way. It is only Declan that keeps my mind turning from this. I fall to it, he turns the thoughts back. I fall to it, he turns the thoughts back again. It is a constant work for him, I am a constant work for him.

Declan: No, you’re not. All I’m doing is showing you who you really are.

Isidore: *blushes* I wish to believe this one day.

::applause::

Timmy: Me too, Isidore.

Ashley: *one-arm hugs Timmy* You will. Promise.

Timmy: *blushes* Okay, Isidore, next question. I don’t think I will ever completely heal from everything that was done to me. It’s a part of me I can’t completely leave behind. Do you think in time you will heal?

Isidore: *sadness fills face* I wish to. I am working hard for this. I believe one day it will happen that I am better. *shifts in seat* But, like this, some holes in the heart and some small darkness in the mind will remain.

::audience awwwww::

Timmy: I agree. We get better and heal, but there are things that never go away.

::applause::

Timmy: I find it is easier for me, day-to-day, if I look at the bigger picture. I like to make goals and plan my future. What do you plan for your future? What do you want to be?

Isidore: *thoughtful* I do not see my future yet. I have a plan to stay with Declan and in my new home with Sorcha. This is the only plan I can believe for me now.

Timmy: I felt the same way when I first left. Then, slowly, I could plan a day and then two days. They sorta build when you aren’t looking.

Isidore: It is like this. Like the sun rising or the flower blooming. It is happening but we do not see it.

Timmy: *smiles* Yep, just like that. Okay, when I’m having a bad day or a hard time, one of my favorite things is when Cody or Ashley make me laugh or smile. It may be with random silliness or something real that they make a joke about. Do you feel the same way and, if so, how does Declan make you laugh?

Isidore: Oh, oui. I like to laugh. Like this, it is the good medicine. I like when Declan and Sorcha make the fun at the people who hurt me. I like when Declan asks me to do something I can do like to speak French to him though he does not understand it. I find this very funny. I ask you, would you like someone to speak a language you do not understand? This does not make sense to me.

Timmy: *laughs* Cody sucked the M off his laptop keyboard with a vacuum cleaner. It didn’t make sense to me either, but it was funnier than hell.

::everyone laughs::

Cody: *cracks up* Thanks, Timmy. Tell everyone about it, why don’t you.

Isidore: *still laughing* See? This is good. Laughter is good.

Timmy: Okay, another question. I have a much larger group of friends now than I ever had in the past. I have made many good friends thanks to social media. Along with all my new friends come new pressures. I always want to be what people are looking for, and yet I need to be me. How do you deal with all the pressure, especially now that there is a book about you and people will know who Isidore is?

Isidore: This is a good question. I feel the book puts the microscope over me and it is uncomfortable. I do not wish to be noticed. It is safer if I am not noticed. Like this, no one can hurt me. I wish to find more courage so I am not afraid, but I think the loneliness is the hardest. Loneliness is very painful. I wish to be better with people, and would like to feel that I am part of the things around me, and that I contribute to the people. So, like this, I do not have the answer except to say that I am uncomfortable with people and I wish to be better.

Declan: *one-arm hugs Isidore* You’re doing great, mo chroi. And you’re great at taking care of Caleb.

Ashley: Who’s Caleb?

Isidore: Oh. He is a friend. He is living with us now because his parents did not like that he is gay. I take care of him so he does not feel bad and have the nightmare.

Timmy: I hate nightmares.

Isidore: I do too. They are horrible. I must relive the past and I wake in pain as if they have hurt me again. It is difficult to explain, but the dreams are real to me and the pain is real to me when I wake and I cannot get the memories or the pain to go for many hours.

Timmy: I know that feeling. It takes my whole day away from me.

Isidore: It is this exactly. It is as if they continue to steal life from me. I do not like this.

Timmy: Yep. It’s really unfair that they can still hurt us after they’re gone.

Isidore: Exactly. I become very angry, then I cry, and then I am angry with me for the tears.

Timmy: Yep. It’s like a waking nightmare after that.

Isidore: Exactly. This is a very good explanation.

Timmy: Thanks, Isidore. Okay, my friend, Mel, has a question for you. She would like to know if you will tell Declan’s Alexander and Hephaestion stories to your children.

Isidore: *bursts into laughter*

Declan: *snorts* Hey, I do the best I can with what I got.

Ashley: Who are they?

Isidore: Alexander the Great and his general, Hephaestion. They were in love and Declan tells me stories when I cannot sleep. He tells me Hephaestion liked women’s clothing, including stockings and heels, but his favorite were pasties.

::everyone laughs::

Ashley: *gapes at Declan* You are cray cray.

Declan: *smiles* Hey, we do what we gotta do to keep ‘em happy, right?

Ashley: *fist bumps Declan* You know it.

Isidore: Did you know, Ashley, they have this thing called a food fight? They throw food at each other.

Ashley: Oh, yeah. We have those with jello.

Timmy: *snorts and rolls eyes* The best ones are sock fights, especially when I get them wet and throw them at you! I win!

::audience laughs::

Timmy: Thank you, Isidore, for joining me today on Cody’s blog. Declan, thanks for coming, man. And Ash, thanks for being my BFF and sister.

Isidore: Thank you, Timmy.

Timmy: Thanks for your honesty, Isidore.

Declan: Thanks for being good to him, Timmy.

Timmy: Wouldn't have it any other way and he's welcome back any time.

Ashley: Peace out.

::applause and standing ovation::

About Slaying Isidore's Dragons

Follow the burgeoning love of two teens during the worst year of their lives. Irish-born Declan David de Quirke II is the son of two ambassadors, one Irish and one American. He is ‘out’ to his parents but to no one else. French-born Jean Isidore de Sauveterre is also the son of two ambassadors, one Catalan and one Parisian. His four half brothers have been told to cure him of his homosexuality. Both teens have lost a parent in a London car bombing. 

Declan and Isidore meet at the beginning of their senior year at a private academy in the United States. Declan is immediately smitten with Isidore and becomes his knight in shining armor. Isidore wants to keep what is left of his sanity and needs Declan’s love to do it. One is beaten, one is drugged, one is nearly raped, one has been raped. They are harassed by professors and police, and have fights at school, but none of it compares to running for their lives. When the headmaster’s popular son attempts suicide and someone tries to assassinate Declan’s mother, they are thrown headlong into chaos, betrayal, conspiracy, allegations of sexual coercion, even murder. And one of them carries a secret that may get them killed.

National Human Trafficking Awareness Day

Timmy's Review of By the Creek by Geoff Laughton

This was a good read for me. There were many things I loved about this book and a few things that I think could have been better. First, let me tell you what it was about (without giving anything away). David and his mother moved to rural Michigan, where David is basically stuck out in the country with no car or friends until school starts. Because the story starts at the beginning of his summer break, that left a lot of free time. So after a few days, he goes and explores his new home and finds a creek. While at the creek, he runs into Benjamin, an Amish kid that lives in a community nearby. At first, Benjamin was not supposed to talk to David, (though he did anyway), until something happened to change that. Later they discovered they liked each other as more than friends and had to work to hide that. 

I loved learning about the Amish Community, and what it meant to be Amish. I always love books that teach me new things as I read. I even did more research after I had finished the book because I was intrigued by the Amish way of life. 

I also like that this book has a younger feel to it with older characters. There was some violence, but it was off page so you know it happened yet didn’t have to read it. That made this book a great book for younger teens who are looking to read books with older characters and without reading violence. I think the author did that very well in this book. I don’t know if his intent was to aim it at younger teens, but this would be great for them; and it’s a good read for older kids as well. So he expanded his audience by doing this. 

I like that there was a build up to the boys’ relationship. They were first wary of each other, then hidden friends, then not so hidden friends, until they became lovers. This gave it a more realistic feel for me being that one of the characters was from a strict religious background and community. 

Now, what I would have liked to be different in the book. Because this book spans a few years, daily life goes by fast. In real life, people, especially teens, change a lot in just a few years’ time. That didn’t happen here. There was some change in Benjamin, but David was the same kid through the whole book. We also lost a lot of action and were “told” how his life went. I like to read books that flow more like movies, where I “watch” (or am shown) the action instead of being told what happens. I do realize that that would be hard with this type of book because it would make it crazy long, but maybe a little more action would have worked. 

I feel the ending has left a spot for more to come and I hope there is more because we need more closure for these boys. I give this book 3 marbles. It’s a good read and I would recommend it to young teens.~Timmy

By the Creek is available at

Dreamspinner Press/Harmony Ink Press, Amazon,

Barnes & Noble, and ARe/Omni Lit

About By the Creek

Soon-to-be high school junior David Harper hates his family’s move to the country. There’s nothing to do, and he misses his friends in the city. But he doesn’t have a choice. His mother’s job is in Mason County now, so David and his mom are too, and he has to make the best of it.

At first, the only redeeming feature of David’s new home is the swimming hole across the field from his house. Then David meets Benjamin Killinger, and suddenly life stops being so dull.

Benjamin is Amish, and cooling off in the swimming hole is one of the few liberties he and his brothers enjoy. A friendship with an English boy is not—but that doesn’t stop him and David from getting to know each other, as long as it's on the neutral ground by the creek. After David risks his life to save Benjamin’s father, the boys’ friendship is tolerated, then accepted. But before long, Benjamin’s feelings for David grow beyond the platonic. Benjamin's family and the rest of the community will never allow a love like that, and a secret this big can’t stay secret forever...

Find Geoff Laughton on Goodreads and on Facebook

Bus Ride by Timmy

This is part two of a special two part post on Love Bytes Reviews

Acedia and the Dangers of Apathy and Willful Ignorance

I’m really scared today, it’s been a long day already and it just turned 7am. I had to wake and deal with a family that doesn’t understand me. They say they do, and they say they will protect me, but they look at me different then the they do each other. They send me off into the world that doesn’t understand me. As I wait by my bus stop, my stomach ties itself into knots. I know what is coming, and I can see it in my mind. I daydream about the quietness of my room, and the safety I find there. I try to imagine that I’m still warm and safe in my bed, but it doesn’t work. I know that the minute that bus stops, I will be entering their world. I watch the bus coming up the street and steel myself for what is to come. As the bus stop grows busier I hide behind a tree. It’s not hard for me to hide, because I’m small and easily overlooked. 

When the bus stops I see all the kids running to get the good seats, which is easy because we are only the second stop. That means I have 12 more stops to sit through and 45 more minutes before I get to school. Most kids would think that was great. They have 45 minutes to hang out with their friends, but I don’t have friends. I have no one who will understand me and help me. As I enter the bus, I make eye contact with the driver. He gives me a little sneer and tells me to hurry up and be seated already. I immediately look down and try to hurry out of his sight. I have no ally there either. 

Because I am still looking at the floor, I see the foot that pops out. I wish I wasn’t hustling, because I can’t slow down in enough time to miss the foot. As I fall to the dirty wet aisle floor, I hear the laughing and insults they fling at me. I bite back my scream and tears. I work hard trying to get up in the small space, all the while wishing it hadn’t rained today. Now, I will have mud stains on the front of my clothes all day. 

I’m feeling lucky today, because there is an empty seat close to the front. Though the driver never helps me, at least the kids don’t hurt me as much if I’m in the front. Just as I begin to sit the driver hits the brakes hard, and I go flying across my seat and face-first into the window. “Retard!” I hear from more than one of the kids on the bus. It’s okay, I can handle this, I tell myself. Around this time the whispers start. I hear almost all of it because they don’t even try to whisper quietly. 

“He can’t understand, because he’s a retard.”

“What a stupid little kid! I don’t know why his parents keep him!” 

“I know his brother, he is nothing like it.”

“OMG! I think he touched me when he walked by! I hope I can’t catch what he has.”

It goes on and on, kids talking about me, like I can’t hear them. It hurts. There is this deep loneliness and sadness that I can’t make go away. Ever. I think about what they are saying and wonder why my parents keep someone like me around. I don’t even want to be around me. I disgust myself. I think if they were to send me away, I would understand. I feel sorry that I disgrace them like I do. I promise myself that I will try harder and work harder to be normal. 

At the 5th stop, my stomach clenches, because that means it’s Chris's stop. At the beginning of the school year Chris told me we could be friends. I was so proud of myself! I had a friend! It was the best thing that happened to me in my whole life! I wrote notes to him, and he talked to me. I thought he really understood me. We were going to be best friends forever! Then the real world caught up to me and showed me what friends did to each other. Chris had used all the notes and letters I wrote him and made a small crude looking book. He had pasted them all on papers and stapled them together. I guess he made copies because there were about 50 of these books going around school. He named the book, A Day in the Life of a Mute Retarded Gay Boy. There it was for everyone to see, in my own handwriting. They all knew I not only couldn’t talk, but that I was gay.

For some reason that I can’t fathom, the fact that I have a speech impediment meant I was also retarded. I believed this for many years, until one day I decided to look up the word. And this is what I found. 

Definition of RETARDED: 

slow or limited in intellectual or emotional development or academic progress

re·tard·ed

adjective \ri-ˈtärd-əd\ (Medical Dictionary)

Medical Definition of RETARDED

sometimes offensive : slow or limited in intellectual or emotional development : characterized by mental retardation

That did not resemble me or the problems I had but everyone, including my family, has told me that, yes, I am a retard. So I go with it. Who am I to argue? Besides I see kids calling other kids “retard” all the time. So, maybe it wasn’t a bad name? I tell myself this, but it still hurts when they say it to me. 

Anyway, it was Chris's stop and, any minute, I will be in my personal hell. I see his red hat first as he climbs the stairs. I loved that red hat. It used to be mine. It was the only gift I ever remembered getting from my dad. Chris took it about a week after his book went around school. I was so upset, I cried for hours that night. I still feel something crushing my heart when I see him wearing it. I thought I loved him. He was my hero. My first crush and my best and only friend. He knew how precious that hat was to me. Well, now the whole school knew it as well. It is a big joke and everyone laughs when they see him wearing my hat. And just like a rehearsed chorus, all the kids on the bus start laughing. I feel the tears beading up in my eyes, and quickly look down at my folded hands in my lap. 

I swallow back the vomit rising in my throat, when I feel his arm come around my shoulder. He knows I can’t handle being touched. He does this to see if he can make me vomit today, as I have in the past. I wish I had the nerve to vomit on him, but he warned me what would happen if I did that. Not to mention, the bus driver who allowed this to continue always made me clean up my vomit. So, I was humiliated for being bullied.

At this time we have 28 minutes left on the bus. By the time I had made it to school, I was numb. I moved on autopilot and had turned my brain and emotions off to protect myself. I’m assuming this is where people get the impression that I am retarded in some way, but what I’m really doing is trying to survive. And now the easiest part of the day is done and it’s time for the real hard stuff, I must live through another day at school.

I want you to do something for me. I want you to go back and read this again. Only, this time, I want you to use yourself as the “I” in this story. Then think hard of all the times that you were one of those people laughing and calling names. Most people won’t admit to being one of them, but at some time during your life, you will have laughed, sneered, or made someone less fortunate than you feel low. Just because they can’t speak for themselves (for whatever reasons) doesn’t mean that they can’t be hurt.

The moral of this story: Kids are mean, and they grow up to teach their kids to be mean. If any of the kids on this bus stood up to these bullies, maybe I wouldn’t have spent hours thinking that ending my life would be better than going to school the next day. Teach your kids not to hurt others. Explain to them what the words they say mean. It may be “just a joke” to them, but it is a hurtful thing to the people who feel that the words represent what they really are. Tell them that laughing at what the bullies do only encourages them to continue and do worse. HELP the kids like me by teaching your kids about people with differences. Talk to their teachers and find out if they are bullies. Take the time to get to know the kids they hang out with. KNOW what your child is up to in school. This is one of my true stories. Thanks for reading it. ~Timmy

Special thanks to Billy Gilman and Rictor Riolo for retweeting this post!

NEWS FLASH!!!

This story inspired Liliana Li's artwork for the You Will Rise Project and a "Stop the Bullying" meme for Unity Against Bullying Day created by Timmy from Anna Lund's artwork. This meme took on a life of its own on Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, and Pinterest and became the profile picture for many. Take a look at the wonderful merchandise you can purchase to support the You Will Rise Project and join us in our fight to stop bullying.

               

All content ©2014 Timmy Ashton. All Rights Reserved. We hold no interest in or claim to the copyright(s) for  You Will Rise Project or Unity Against Bullying Day

LT3 Press presents Project Fierce Chicago, an anthology to benefit homeless youth

Thank you so much, Cody, for having me as your guest today. No one can dispute the tragedy of homelessness, especially for our youth, and I'm very happy to be part of this wonderful anthology.

Nobody deserves to be without a home. In collaboration with several authors, Less Than Three Press offers up an anthology of stories about young people who find that home and family are not always where you expect to find them.

All proceeds from this charity anthology will be donated to Project Fierce Chicago.

Project Fierce Chicago's mission is to reduce LGBTQ youth homelessness in Chicago by providing affirming, no-cost transitional housing and comprehensive support services to homeless LGBTQ young adults. PFC also aims to encourage community-building and civic engagement through cooperative living and youth leadership development.

LT3's Project Fierce Chicago charity anthology includes 20 short stories from Aeris, Vicktor Alexander, Talya Andor, C.J. Anthony, Blaine D. Arden, Kayla Bain-Vrba, Sophie Bonaste, Kenzie Cade, Jana Denardo, Alessandra Ebulu, Dianne Hartsock, Leta Hutchins, Caitlin Ricci, Lor Rose, B. Snow, Rin Sparrow, Andrea Speed, Piper Vaughn, Layla M. Wier, and Xara X. Xanakas

Pairings: M/M, F/F, genderqueer

Content: Contains no explicit content.

Available from Less Than Three Press

Family conflicts, abuse and problems at school all contribute to the homeless epidemic in the LGBT youth community. Some find themselves on the street after 'aging out' of foster care, but more and more gay and transgender young people, emboldened by increased acceptance in society, are coming out in their teen years, when they are still reliant on their parents. Sometimes faced with hostility or rejection at home, many teens turn instead to the streets.

John Cerdon, a 22-year-old Filipino, came out to his parents four years ago, leading to friction. He spends most nights sleeping on a friend's floor.

"I'll just say my mother chose my stepfather over me," Cerdon said.

When he has no other option, Cerdon sleeps on the Red Line, where he said he has been robbed twice and assaulted.

While they account for 5 to 10 percent of the youth population, gay and transgender youths are estimated to make up 20 to 40 percent of the young people experiencing homelessness nationally. In Chicago, 11,471 young people between ages 14 and 21 experienced homelessness last year, according to the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless.

"The data on homeless youth is generally poor, and it's worse for LGBTQ," said Nan Roman, president of the National Alliance to End Homelessness, adding to the mix the population of "Q" or "questioning" youths, those who are unsure of their sexual orientation...."  ~~Erin Meyer, Chicago Tribune reporter

Alexis Allegra, associate director of residential programs at Teen Living Programs, confirms the static nature of LGBTQ youth homelessness. “I think this is a consistent problem and it is not something I have seen drastically change one way or another over the six years I have worked here,” Allegra said.

The struggles faced by LGBTQ youth include sexual and physical harassment, as well as stigmatization at school and home, leading them to run away.

“Youth have either been kicked out of their parental homes or have chosen to leave because of the harsh criticism and intolerance they experience,” Allegra said. "They might live at a friend’s house. They might couch surf– staying one place for a few nights and then go to another friend’s house.” ~~Streets of Chicago Chicago LGBTQ Homeless Youth by Raven Icaza

Project Fierce Chicago will provide transitional housing for LGBTQ young people ages 18-25, for an initial term of one year. In addition to living space, food and hygiene products, residents will have access to services aimed at a successful transition to independence, including case management, professional and living skills training and educational support. These services will primarily be provided by dedicated volunteers.

PFC’s aim is to become a largely self-sustaining community through the maintenance of a community garden and an in-house workshop in which staff, volunteers and residents create daily living items such as soap, lotion and household cleaning products with natural ingredients. The house will also have a space in which to showcase the art and creative projects of residents and community members.

Sammy: My story in the Project Fierce Anthology

At fifteen, Sam inadvertently comes out to his parents, but instead of the support he hopes for, they send him to live with his uncle. Unfortunately, the man is even less tolerant of his uniqueness. Rather than change to please his family, feeling unwanted and misunderstood, he runs away to find a better life.

But the crowded city isn't kind to a young man with no home and no prospects of work. When this story opens, Sam has been on the streets for several years when one of his 'regulars' begins to take more than a business interest in him. For the first time Sammy dreams of more than a bleak lonely future, but does he dare hope that someone like him could find their happily ever after?

Excerpt:

John tossed his apron in the hamper then slipped out the back of the shelter into the dark alley and hurried around to the brightly lit street in front. Couples were enjoying the last of the day's warmth on the waterfront and he envied them as he headed toward his apartment complex. His pulse sped up as he neared the Morrison Bridge. Though it was after nine, traffic was still heavy on the bridge and also along Naito Parkway.

Passing under the bridge, he glanced down the bike path running alongside it, searching for Sammy. His heart leaped to his throat on seeing the familiar figure huddled on the grass, arms wrapped around his knees, looking alone and dejected. John ached to go to him, but would Sam want to talk to him? They weren't really friends. John paid for his company.

A soft sob floated on the night air and plunged straight into John's heart. He hurried over to Sam, then stood biting his lips, not sure what to say.

"What do you want?" Sammy's voice sounded tired, rough with tears.

"Do you need help? Can I do anything?"

Sam raised his head, blue eyes shimmering at him through wet lashes. Recognition sparked in the beautiful depths, then they widened. "You." Sam struggled to his feet, hugging his bare arms across his chest against the chill creeping up from the river. "Sorry, I have to cancel on you. I'm closed for the night. Try again tomorrow."

He brushed past John and started down the bike path. John's heart thumped painfully. "Sam?"

The young man stopped and swiveled abruptly. The lamplight caught his expression, a hint of fear, anger; the light clearly showing a cut lip and the dark swelling of a bruise on his ivory cheek. John clamped his lips shut on a murmur of pity, noting he held his left arm as if it hurt.

Helplessness swept through John. "Let me help you. I can make you a cup of coffee at least. And dinner, if you're interested. I make great spaghetti."

Doubt crossed Sam's pretty face and the end of his pink tongue nudged the cut on his lip, twisting John's heart. Impulsively, he touched Sam's arm. "Did someone hurt you?"

Sam stared at his hand, not answering. John was grateful he didn't yank his arm away. Finally Sam nodded.

Anger flashed through John, but he didn't want to scare Sam off with questions. "Come home with me," he urged softly. "I won't ask anything of you. I want to help and… I could use the company tonight."

Blue eyes glanced upwards, vulnerable. But then Sam blinked and mischief curled his lips. John winced at his false bravado. "Whatever you say, hon." Sam hooked their arms and started along the wide path following the riverfront. After only a few steps in the chill evening air, John shrugged out of his coat and put it around Sam's shoulders. Sam looked amused but pulled the coat tighter around his thin cotton shirt. "Thanks."

John's heart pattered. He liked Sam's arm linked with his. A few people gave them curious glances, but for the most part, they were ignored. He wished the circumstances were better, that maybe Sam was his boyfriend and they were walking home from the movies. They reached his street and his pulse quickened when he led Sam to his apartment.

LT3's Project Fierce Chicago charity anthology includes 20 short stories from Aeris, Vicktor Alexander, Talya Andor, C.J. Anthony, Blaine D. Arden, Kayla Bain-Vrba, Sophie Bonaste, Kenzie Cade, Jana Denardo, Alessandra Ebulu, Dianne Hartsock, Leta Hutchins, Caitlin Ricci, Lor Rose, B. Snow, Rin Sparrow, Andrea Speed, Piper Vaughn, Layla M. Wier, and Xara X. Xanakas

Pairings: M/M, F/F, genderqueer

Content: Contains no explicit content.

Available from Less Than Three Press

When Bullying Begins in the Home

Bullying is a form of psychological abuse and when bullying begins in the home, a child is predisposed to being bullied in school, and later, at work, in social settings, in life. My good buddy Timmy joins me over at Love Bytes Reviews with his third installment on bullying. Today he talks about bullying from within the family unit and what one might do about it. 

Victims of abuse often can’t defend themselves. They have poor self-esteem, a very low sense of worth, and feel, among other things, shame, humiliation, guilt, isolation, loss, anger, betrayal, but most of all, fear. They are afraid to defend themselves for fear of reprisal and that they’ll be further abused. If you know of or see someone being bullied within the home or by relatives, step up, make your listening all about them, speak out, and help a friend. YOU may be the one person who will make the difference between survival and not for your friend. 

Inspirational bracelets from Goodworks -- Bravelets -- Steal Time Back

I wear a ton of bracelets given to me by wonderful friends. 

They mean the world to me.

More than that, they come from places that donate to incredibly important

causes such as preventing child abuse and homeless youth. 

Here are two of my favorite sites for inspirational bracelets. 

Check 'em out.

Bravelets       Goodworks      Steal Time Back

Self-bullying and The Golden Rule Applies to You

Join me over at Love Bytes Reviews to kick off the Hop Against Homophobia and Transphobia with a special post on Self-bullying and applying the Golden Rule to yourself!  HAHAT is an incredibly important event each year intended to raise awareness and inspire LGBTQIAP individuals. Along these lines, we don’t only wish to inspire others, but also wish to inspire ourselves. That’s right. OURSELVES.

My good friend Timmy wrote about bullying… but a type of bullying we don’t often think about: self-bullying. Timmy’s insightful words will have us thinking well and often about how we treat ourselves and how we can be better to ourselves. As always, thanks for a wonderful post, Timmy!

Child Abuse Casts a Shadow the Length of a Lifetime: A special post for Child Abuse Prevention Month

April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month and in honor of it, I did a special two-part post on child abuse and bullying on Love Bytes Reviews. Of greatest import, take 3 minutes of your the time to watch this video.

I joined the two issues in one post because to bully is to commit an act of violence and it is the most prevalent form of abuse in society. 

My young, insightful friend Timmy, who has endured horrific bullying at school, recently took note of how adults treat each other. Check it out.

All of the memes in this post were created by Timmy.

Help a Friend - I wrote a blog post for Harmony Ink Press - Worthy, check it out

So, in the middle of all this craziness with two releases coming out and Jamie Mayfield's "A Broken Kind of Life" adapted from J.p. Barnaby's awarding winning novel, Aaron, - JUST RELEASED LIKE SECONDS AGO from Harmony Ink Press! GO BUY IT! READ IT! CHERISH IT AS I DO! - um, yeah, so here's the gig.

I wrote a brief blog post for Hamony Ink's blog and it centers around the fact that ONE friend who reaches out and listens to a friend in distress can make the difference between survival and not for that friend. Three minutes of your time could save someone's life. Check it out. Right here. Reach out and help a friend.

100% of the author's royalties are being donated to help homeless LGBT kids find safe shelter.