Brandon Shire

Author of Contemporary Gay Romance

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What Do You Tell Him?

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Meet Tyler.

Tyler’s dad found out he was homosexual and disowned him, denied that he ever existed, and threw him out of the house after beating him unconscious. Tyler is 14.

When he is on the street picking through dumpsters looking for something, anything, to eat, he thinks of all the times he heard his parents tell him that they would love him no matter what.

He recalls when he lay curled in his father’s lap while his daddy read to him. He remembers that he would drift off to sleep in his arms only to awaken the next morning tucked safely in bed. He thinks that this memory, which has suddenly left him trembling and near tears again, is only three years old. Just three years, when he was eleven, and didn’t really understand all the names and rage his father would throw at him later.

He wonders what his mom is doing now, why she never stepped forward and said, “Enough!” Why she never did anything on that night but cinch the curtain a little tighter when he turned and looked back at what used to be his home. Did she hate him too? [Read more…] about What Do You Tell Him?

You don’t let my conscience sleep

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The title of this post reflects an email I received from a fan after he read The Value Of Rain.

And while I very much appreciated the sentiment behind his words, I never wrote Rain to do anything other than make people think and feel. As one recent reviewer wrote “If you are looking for something light to read, then The Value of Rain isn’t for you, but if you want to read a story that will wrench your heart and make you feel something, then give it a go.”

And please don’t misunderstand, because I enjoy escapist writing as much as anyone else. I’m a massive sci-fi fan and will quickly chomp down a series like a fat greasy cheeseburger, licking my finders and all!

But when atrocities come close to home; when you become witness to suffering that you could never imagine, then a voice must be made, a voice must heard. The Value Of Rain is a voice; the voice of people I knew and of things they suffered.  It’s also voice of my own conscience trying to deal with the horrifying sorrow of what they felt comfortable talking with me about.  And yes, several of the characters in the book are/were real people; some of the most humorous and some of the most tragic.  I will leave you to decide for yourself which are real and which are fictional, and will not discuss that further. [Read more…] about You don’t let my conscience sleep

Our Youth Deserve Love & Respect

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Guest post by by James Robinson, Director GLBT  Advocacy &  Youth Services

lgbt, gay youth, nonprogit, lgbtyouth, gay teens

Young people need to know they are loved and that they have our support. 

I believe those of us who have survived into adulthood  have a responsibility to support and encourage youth who are struggling with many of the same issues we faced at their age.  The fact that we understand these issues based on our personal experiences makes us uniquely qualified to provide this critical support.  Our society is in a state of crisis brought about by a basis lack of love and respect for each other.  Simply put, all people deserve love and respect regardless of any of the circumstances our society uses to segregate us into various sub-groups.

Fighting Bigotry and Hatred 

 My heart hurts each time I hear that another young person has committed suicide because they felt they were not important, less than human, sinful, ugly, or alone.  Recently, after working all week dealing with local bullying issues and other concerns shared with me because of my work, I saw online that another young girl only 12 years old committed suicide here in Alabama.  It is suspected that her death was caused by bullying.  When I saw this I broke down, cried, called friends, and looked for personal support because I was tired and angry.  How many of these beautiful young people have to die before we say as a society, “No More!”. 

How Writing Makes a Difference

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writing, author, prose, writerTwo Steps Beyond Prose

Words are power. Anyone who is a writer, or a speaker, knows this instinctively; as do those that try to suppress the words they don’t agree with.

Words can change geography, nations, politics and move an entire people to action. But sometimes it is those small changes; those seemingly insignificant burst of prose that make a difference and touch lives that you, as a writer, will never know about or see. Two steps beyond your prose is an action, a caress, a thought that changes even the smallest part of history and you may never know that impact. [Read more…] about How Writing Makes a Difference

Stepping Up to Bullying

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There’s been a lot of discussion about bullying in the recent weeks since Jamey Rodemeyers death. Once again, it is in the international spotlight after a tragedy that should have never happened.  As offline and online communities (of all ages) step up to the plate and tackle the issue I am especially heartened to see the youth of the world move to make changes within their own environment.

As a parent, I knew that I could not police my sons’ actions all the time, nor be there to protect them every single minute of their lives, and so it falls to those whom we seek to protect to take action with the full knowledge that we support them in their endeavors to aid those people less able to help themselves. Teaching them respect for all  is a great part of that, but teaching them by example is an even greater part.

So there is also a point where we, as adults, must step forward beyond our own homes and say NO, this is not how you treat people.

I saw a shining example of that this morning and wanted to share it with you.  Ali you have my utmost respect.

Sometimes a few words is all it takes to change a life.

lgbt youth

 

gay teens

bullying