Graeme

Ty is being defensive about how Jim is being treated. He has been like that ever since Jim came out. After an initial wary period, he's similar with Neil though to a lesser extent. If Ross wasn't perceived as snubbing Jim, Ty wouldn't be reacting as strongly as he is.

Very true! I happen to watch a TV show on a recent plane trip where a character remarked something like "You know there are out athletes today, don't you?" and the response was along the lines of "Yeah, and how are their careers going?" That's true in today's AFL, too. We're still waiting for the first one to come out, but none have so far. Jim's worries in Leopard Skin Cover and Roscoe's concerns in this story are still very legitimate -- the first AFL player to come out is going to come under an incredible amount of pressure. Indeed, it was a newspaper opinion piece where an AFL player recommended any gay players to not come out was a major source of inspiration for this story. While many people considered the opinion piece to show a homophobic attitude by the author, I couldn't help feel that there was an element of truth in what that person said.

Happy Birthday, Carlos! :music: :music: I've merged the threads Sorry -- the winner is the one that got in first. However, it's the thought that counts

Ross is certainly in a tough position. Very different to Kevin who appears to be looking forward to what's going to happen. As for Ty...well...we know what he doesn't. He's a big boy. I'm sure getting drafted will make him feel better, though possibly even more confused. The question will be which team drafts him

Stuart is the same age as Ross -- eighteen. Ross is lucky that at that age Stuart hasn't had a lot of experience at being manipulative and sly. That's assuming Ross's perceptions are accurate, of course However, yes, Ross is a little strung. I suspect a lot of closeted gay athletes are the same -- it's an extra pressure on them that straight athletes don't endure.

Ross glanced around the Lilydale Leopards home ground, taking in the grandstand on one side and the administration building beyond, before turning his attention to the two guys and a fit-looking young woman waiting near the change-room door. Jim Henderson and the woman were stretching, while the young man that Ross didn’t recognise was chatting. As Ross approached, the second guy met him half way. “Hi, I’m Tony. Welcome to Lilydale. You’re Ross, is that right?” “Yeah, that’s me.” They shook ha

Norwegian fighter jet saves life http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-04-22/norwegian-fighter-jet-helps-save-dying-patient/7352184

Stranger saves the life of a heart attack teenager

You can try cjames@gayauthors.org, but I don't know if that's still active. If it's not, you can PM or email me the message (graeme@gayauthors.org) and I'll forward it on to him. Sorry, I won't distribute his private email address without his explicit permission

I felt strangely unsatisfied by the scene with Austin. I know this is from Toph's point of view and that explains why, but Niles made it sound like Austin was desperate to see Toph, but that didn't come over in the scene. Toph saw it as a closing of a chapter of his life -- Austin as a lover -- but I didn't get a sense of what Austin got out of it. The little frustrations we readers can sometimes get. Maybe I should follow Oscar's advice and come up with my own story as to what Austin wanted Toph is developing quickly. While he might not have broken down all those little picket fences in his mind, I think some of the ones remaining have a few holes in them. His life isn't remaining as compartmentalised as it used to be. And that's a good thing. Thank you! I always enjoying seeing a new chapter of this story

Not quite the reaction I was hoping for (the tummy hurting), but thank you!

80 students shave their heads in support of classmate after chemotherapy I've seen stories like this before, but it never ceases to amaze me what kids will do for one of their classmates with cancer.

Great news! I always like to see authors getting published for the first time. PS: I fixed the thread title for you...

It's certainly impressive. It's been on the horizon for awhile as we discover how to interpret brain action, but to actually see it in action...

US quadriplegic learns to use his hand in medical first

Welcome! Cia's given some great advice. I know with my own current novel that the amount of surprises I encountered when I did was the research was amazing. There are subtleties in everything, and while most people won't spot any flaws, those that know will have those flaws jump out at them. I remember reading a story set in Australia that happened to mention a Qantas flight number flying into Sydney, but I recognised the flight number and it was a flight from Brisbane to Melbourne. That disconcerted me and took me out of the story for a moment. It doesn't take a lot of effort to get little details like that correct and they help to make the story that much richer. Good luck with the writing!

Promised Land: A new LGBT illustrated children's book

Love is not a word to be said. Love is something to be, something that's done. The word isn't important, it's the actions that are important. They show that they love each other by their actions, not their words. I'm happy with how Cory and Efrain are in their relationship. Moving in together is going to either make or break them, and I think it'll make them. What's got me more concerned is Cory going home. His facebook page says he's bi, but will he tell anyone he has a boyfriend? I think he won't be able to resist, though I don't know if it will deliberate or accidental. Telling his family about Efrain could go either really well or really badly. We'll just have to wait and see. It was slim pickings for favourite lines in this chapter, though I didn't mind because there was a lot of good developments in the story. But I've chosen for my favourite the following: Alright, I was dating a foodie. Preston was doing something with his foodie, but kept insisting that they were just fucking.

I'm a firm believer in gays being human. That means they have flaws and that they span the usual human range of saints to devils. Some can be stalkers, some can be bullies, and some may not have pure motives for what they do...but they're all human.

Welcome, Cody! If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me or one of the other moderators; we're here to help. The Story system can be a little challenging the first couple of times you use it, so don't forget to read the FAQs under the Help option on the menu. It will make your life a lot easier.

I think it's a little early to say Stuart is a snake. You may be right, but there's not a lot of confirm that statement. As for Liam and Neil, you'll just have to wait and see

There's an interesting article at the Australian ABC: Australia's secret history of sexual fluidity Some of the things that I never knew were how in the early convict days, same-sex relationships seemed to relatively common and apparently accepted. The story of the prostitute who turned out to be a guy was also amusing...

LOL -- sorry, I don't know much about narration software so I can't help. Yes, Ross is a new character. I hope you like him. He's got his own set of challenges to face, as you'll see as the story unfolds.

Ty's got a problem that's not uncommon amongst those 'converted' -- he's become a zealot when it comes to homophobia directed at Jim. Tony's just reminded him that he wasn't always that way, and Deon wasn't always gay friendly. A little dose of reality had brought him back to Earth.