Though I Am Trying Not To Blog...

I am finishing up the book I’m writing, which is a pretty all-consuming activity for me. At times like this I tend to set things on fire, slam my face or fingers in doors, and drop full canisters of flour on my own head/ the floor for no apparent reason other than the fact that my brain is used up.

So I am trying not to do anything overly dangerous such as cook, or parent, or blog.

I am not being completely successful at avoiding any of those things. Which is mostly fine (well, except for the cooking, possibly.)

But anyway I just had to interrupt my non-blogging to say a very brief thing about bullying and homophobia.

You might be attracted to boys, or to girls, or to both. You may think that somebody else being attracted to boys, or to girls, or to both, is incomprehensible, or yucky, or not your thing. But IT IS NOT YOUR BUSINESS who somebody is attracted to, or who anybody else loves. So if you ever feel tempted to shame somebody for his or her sexuality, stop. Just stop. It’s mean. It can be very hurtful. And it’s not your business.

It’s wrong and immature when third graders call one another nasty names. They need to be pulled aside and taught gently about empathy and the importance of being kind. For any of the rest of us who are past third grade: if you catch yourself calling somebody a nasty epithet or shaming somebody for who they are, sit yourself down in time-out until you can pull yourself together and behave like a grown person. Come on, now.

If somebody is teasing or tormenting you about your sexuality – or your looks, your opinions, your choices, your race or gender or height or any other baloney none-of-their-business nonsense, get away from them. Please seek out somebody kind and cool to talk with or hang out with. There are many of us around. Stay strong and keep looking for us.

We might be bleary-eyed and covered with flour, but we are here, and we’re rooting for you.

Love,

Rachel Vail