The Safe Reading Zone Campaign

It’s been over a year since Cody came out to me, but one thing still sticks out the most in my mind—the fear in his eyes as he worried that he wouldn’t be accepted. Now we all know that Cody was fully accepted and supported by his family. What’s more, he has gone on to be an activist, not only starting the first GSA ever at his high school, but he recently changed his college major so he can someday work for a LGBTQ non-profit organization.

Sadly, though, Cody is an isolated case. Too often, we all hear stories of gay individuals, young and old alike, who are scared, alone and ostracized.  Not a month goes by where the news doesn’t tell the story of another hate-crime or suicide related to this troubling issue. What’s more, our own government often is handing the bullies the very tools they need to continue with their campaign of hate.

So, it’s easy to see how some people can feel as if they are alone in the world. Just as it is to understand how they may feel as if it’s them against the rest of society. I have one thing to say to that, “No more!” While I may not be gay, I am the mother of a gay son and let me tell you, I have enough love for everybody out there who is alone, scared, victimized and hated.  So much so, I would adopt every single one of you if I could.  As such, I along with several other authors and bloggers are developing a campaign of our own and this one is of love.  It’s call the “Safe Reading Zone” and it’s going to be aimed at spreading support and acceptance.

We will put an universal emblem on our websites, tumblrs and blogs. By doing so we will be making a promise, if you need somebody to talk to—email us. If you feel alone—email us. If you are scared—email us. If you just need to hear that you are loved and perfect the way you are—email us.  Just fire off a message to stephani@stephanihecht.com  and I will always be there for you and I will never, ever judge you. If you click on the emblem it will also take you to a site that we will be devoting to helping those get the aid they need. Some of the groups listed will be as follows:

The It Gets Better Project: http://www.itgetsbetter.org/

GLSEN- http://www.glsen.org

National Center for Transgender Equality:  http://transequality.org/

PFLAG:  http://pflag.org

The Trevor Project: 866-4-U-TREVOR (866-488-7386) in Canada KIDS HELP PHONE at 1-800-668-6868. http://www.thetrevorproject.org/

Let’s start spreading the word, so that people can know that there is as much love as there is hate in this world.  If there are any other authors or bloggers who want to participate in this project, just shoot me an email and I’ll add you the list.

In closing, let me leave you with some encouraging Youtube videos. I’ve posted some of them before, but given the topic of the post, I think they deserve to be repeated. And one last thing, remember, you were born this way and you are absolutely perfect. Don’t let anybody ever tell you otherwise. And most of all, I love each and every one of you!