tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19709894.post6161610517119933684..comments2007-05-10T18:13:17.526-04:00Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14568263664182155579noreply@blogger.comBlogger165125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19709894.post-25076635129477580632007-05-10T18:13:00.000-04:002007-05-10T18:13:00.000-04:00I wrote the Hyatt to complain on your behalf. As a native Texan, I apologize. We do have a tendency to be rather Red-statish, which is something I fight daily on a case-by-case basis. Good luck in your future endeavors.Thalasshayahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14082743557723235940noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19709894.post-13558886551196260932007-05-09T17:54:00.000-04:002007-05-09T17:54:00.000-04:00Wow. Just, wow.<BR/><BR/>Like others have indicated, I would contact the ACLU, the HRC, and Lamba Legal Defense. While you may not actually have a cause of action (although I do believe you may have a valid breach of contract claim), at least you could get some mainstream press out of it. While the blogosphere is powerful, unless you break out of the romance blogosphere into the general blogsophere and beyond, the Hyatt and RT and the relvant parties won't hear about it or won't care about the stink that's being made.<BR/><BR/>This is awful, just awful. I guess I shouldn't be so sad now that I can't make RWA in Dallas, as it's being held in a Hyatt. So count me amongst the people who refuse to stay in a Hyatt from now on.<BR/><BR/>You are RT's customer. If they make it clear ahead of time that m/m authors need not apply and will not be allowed to fully participate in conference events (including promo alley), then fine. They have every right to do so (although it may not be the best business decision they could make). But they take your money just like every other paying customer, so you are entitled to performance.Amanda Bricehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06258251749634067232noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19709894.post-27429181827435728562007-05-08T08:34:00.000-04:002007-05-08T08:34:00.000-04:00Jesus Christ, that's appalling.<BR/><BR/>I've just written a very pissed off e-mail to Hyatt about it too. W*nkers.Lippy Hippyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09912471979864385633noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19709894.post-62557821866288107192007-05-07T09:20:00.000-04:002007-05-07T09:20:00.000-04:00Well, speaking as a gay man who lives in Houston, let me stick up for my town: this is not typical Houston behavior. <BR/><BR/>The big villain here is the conference organizer. You are their customer. You paid good money to them. You followed their rules. If they don't offer a refund, I'd threaten legal action. <BR/><BR/>You entered a contract with them, and they didn't deliver. And given how much money they were spending at the hotel, the conference director should have torn the Hyatt folks a new one when this happened.Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14991227879272397253noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19709894.post-32344963352676040982007-05-05T15:37:00.000-04:002007-05-05T15:37:00.000-04:00Laura, <BR/><BR/>I've heard about this through the grapevine. I'm just glad Sandy was with you. Your professionalism is awe-inspiring. Keep doing your thing, lady, you know I think you rock! <BR/><BR/>I grew up near Houston. It's been ten years, and I'll likely never return. Now you know why. <BR/><BR/>The Hyatt will never have my business. Ever. <BR/><BR/>All the best, <BR/>DawnDawn Montgomeryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16964249310536990229noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19709894.post-70480174283391786272007-05-05T08:41:00.000-04:002007-05-05T08:41:00.000-04:00I don't know what to say, but this homophobic response is uncalled for. I am terribly sorry and horrified. My first thought would be that no one who writes it should attend RT next year. Then I stopped. Did I really think that? Did I, for a moment think that the best way to handle this obvious homophobia would be to hide in the closet again? Isn't that what some of my dearest friends have been working to get out of for centuries now? Have not people died to fight for the rights of others to be openly gay and support the gay community? Don't I suspect one of my children may be gay? Is that what I would want him to do? Hide it to make it easier on others? What the hell is wrong with me? <BR/><BR/>Nope, hiding is not the answer. Combativeness is also not the answer. Quietly going to Pittsburgh and putting out your stuff, along with others (I hope to have a m/m romance out there at that time to, is. Stand up, do it without fanfare, and face them. Let them make a show of it and be strong and insistent that you have the right to post your stuff too. <BR/><BR/>You paid to be there. I have a card with a naked woman choking a rubber chicken on it. HYSTERICAL! Apparently, not too much for RT. <BR/><BR/>Maybe I'm making myself a big ole target by stating that I think the way they treated you was beyond archaic. I hope not. I hope someone will read this who gets that love is precious and to be celebrated, no matter what. <BR/><BR/>NancyNancy Lindquist-Liedelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05838133625522164424noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19709894.post-48895171043564071762007-05-05T02:56:00.000-04:002007-05-05T02:56:00.000-04:00<I>What boggles my mind and I cannot understand is why Ms. Baumbach continues to spend her money with my magazine and our Booklovers Convention when we are stating in no uncertain terms that we do not believe that she is reaching her target audience. Why not avoid these conflicts and look to other magazines and or organizations to spend her money where she could sell more books and expand her readership. Why does she insist on advertising with RT and attending the convention? </I><BR/><BR/>What boggles *my* mind is that paragraph. As someone with a background in marketing and advertising I'd just say you shot yourself in the foot with that paragraph. That is NOT the comment I would have expected of *any* business. You are basically telling Laura or any other author for that matter of any genre that you don't care about them. You'll take their money, but you don't care about them when *they* are the source of your business. It doesn't matter if she writes little green men wearing tutus dancing on pig's backs, if she paid to be there, if she paid to advertise in your magazine then she is YOUR customer and should be treated with respect as anyone else who's money was green and went ca-ching in your bank account. If this is the way you are going to support your authors then maybe your authors should take their support somewhere else?tamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12196467570347796588noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19709894.post-87549903829046089242007-05-04T21:24:00.000-04:002007-05-04T21:24:00.000-04:00As a Houstonian I am appalled at the treatment you recieved from one of our city's supposedly five start hotels. <BR/><BR/>The actions you were subjected to were ignorant, shabby, and rude and I intend to urge all friends, acquaintences, and co-workers I know to write letters in protest and to never again patronize this business. <BR/><BR/>My deepest apologies. I hope you don't hold that experience as representative of all Houstonians. I assure you it is not.Almahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13537544790204419189noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19709894.post-28351373499998324472007-05-04T14:09:00.000-04:002007-05-04T14:09:00.000-04:00Laura,<BR/><BR/>I can't believe this all happened. It is insanity. As for the guy with the sheet, I had used that image on my site for like 6 months (I only recently updated and changed the look) and never did anyone say he looked gay. (How different exactly does a gay guy in bed look as opposed to a straight guy when alone?)<BR/><BR/>You have my support. You were unjustly treated.<BR/><BR/>MariMarianne LaCroixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02612408480730624486noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19709894.post-50376526173898962572007-05-04T11:10:00.000-04:002007-05-04T11:10:00.000-04:00Hi, I'm an avid book reader of most genres and I do support you. <BR/>And if you need someone to review for books, I will bappy to help you. Plus I review for other sites. I do have a blog <BR/>tonnibooks411.blogspot.comTonnihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01340533403465060954noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19709894.post-88000262905443932532007-05-04T03:57:00.000-04:002007-05-04T03:57:00.000-04:00you really should contact HRC about this. and, if you want to go one step further, Lambda Legal Defense.<BR/><BR/>HRC, as Jules Jones writes above, publishes ratings on corporations like Hyatt. this comes out in their monthly newsletter - it's quite interesting, actually.<BR/><BR/>also, i agree with Lori - RT should refund your money - or at least a significant portion of it. you were there to promote, and yet your materials were taken away. they shouldve stepped up to the plate and argued for you, but since they didnt, they should take action monetarily for you, as a symbol of all this bullshit.<BR/><BR/>mustve been pretty frustrating for you. sorry you had to go thru this.marcushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05368276144522100282noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19709894.post-22984698980022275422007-05-04T01:21:00.000-04:002007-05-04T01:21:00.000-04:00It is hang up not mine.<BR/>was suppose to be It is his hang up not mine. <BR/><BR/>Hang in there Laura!Tehyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16882612546823267501noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19709894.post-35842915360786670522007-05-04T01:04:00.000-04:002007-05-04T01:04:00.000-04:00I guarantee you that if that poster (which is beautiful, BTW) was of a woman in exactly the same position, it wouldn't have been removed. <BR/><BR/>I think RT and the Hyatt both owe you your money back, especially RT. You paid for promo space that you were not given.<BR/><BR/>That said, I've read two of your books and truly enjoyed them. And, yes, I'm a straight female who has read RT. Go figure! <BR/><BR/>So many things (read...blogposts...) bring out the cattiness in authors and readers these days, I think it's wonderful to see everyone banding together and supporting you on this. I'm just sorry that it took something so terrible to bring the romance community back together.Lorihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08250972350798310498noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19709894.post-18561517695223294822007-05-04T00:50:00.000-04:002007-05-04T00:50:00.000-04:00I would be looking at legal action. All of it is crap. And so is the hypocritcal possition of taking your money for ads but not standing behind you when this happened. My OH is from Texas. Houston in fact an he is also homophobic. Personally I think what grown adults choose to do and with whom they choose to do it is their right. He had a fit soon after I started reviewing because I will not not read m/m books. It is hang up not mine. I have found fantastic authors who write in the genre. I choose not to endorse Discrimanation. And that is exactly what all of that is. Forgive those who are so small minded they can not see we are all just people. But Nail Them to the Wall when they Step on Your Rights.Tehyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16882612546823267501noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19709894.post-90074920621059652362007-05-03T22:54:00.000-04:002007-05-03T22:54:00.000-04:00RT should not only have been supporting you on site, but should lodge complaint at the highest levels of Hyatt and promise not to book at that chain in future if the correct response and apology are not received. I think it would be appropriate for RT to reimburse you for at least the conference registration and demand that Hyatt reimburse you for your travel and lodging.<BR/><BR/>RT needs to grow a pair.Al Sensuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14816018620574127798noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19709894.post-67359410696646212722007-05-03T22:40:00.000-04:002007-05-03T22:40:00.000-04:00Carol Stacy's reply to you was obnoxious. I told her as much in a comment on her blog, but as it's moderated, it won't be posted, I'm sure. Good for you for not sinking to her/their level. I will also be emailing the Hyatt with my feelings.Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16589756530990619299noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19709894.post-19631041334778284452007-05-03T22:05:00.000-04:002007-05-03T22:05:00.000-04:00What happened to you was discriminatory and uncalled for. As an author of M/M romance to hear something like this happened boils my blood.<BR/><BR/>It was a joy meeting you at the book fair. You have our support at Phaze.Leigh Ellwoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02296976139895332919noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19709894.post-51759072030492230632007-05-03T21:52:00.000-04:002007-05-03T21:52:00.000-04:00Hello,<BR/> I run a highly successful erotic book club online. The group has found this blog and your comments to be very disturbing. In the sence that we as readers of this genr' are shocked and outraged by the behavior of both the RT and the Hyatt.<BR/> WE read all books including M/M, M/M/F, M/F/M and find a great many of the the most popular erotic books have these relationships in them.<BR/> Sensorship of any kind should not be tolerated, but most especially at a convention set up for the purpose of featuring this genre'<BR/> I have seen your cover, it is NOT at all as risque, as so many other I have seen and bought. And which are displayed in Borders, B&N, and malls, where anyone can see them.<BR/> You should contact the Gay and Lesbian task force.<BR/> I also believe some compensation some be returned to you by RT. <BR/> As for the Hyatt, perhaps groups like mine who intend to write to them and spread the word of this, will prohibit this person from doing such a thing again.<BR/> Keep your chin up,, the erotic readers are WITH YOU<BR/>Renee BaileyNutzo93538http://www.blogger.com/profile/12123147455496098036noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19709894.post-90110613131482643192007-05-03T18:59:00.000-04:002007-05-03T18:59:00.000-04:00Ms. Baumbach, I'm a writer for AfterElton.com, a gay media website, and we'd like to speak to you for an article on this. Could you email me at christiekeith@gmail.com?<BR/><BR/>I've already blogged about it <A HREF="http://www.afterelton.com/blog/christiekeith/hyatt-says-no-to-gay-love" REL="nofollow">here</A>.Christie Keithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03111271223324776573noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19709894.post-53361503288175838522007-05-03T18:51:00.000-04:002007-05-03T18:51:00.000-04:00Hey Laura,<BR/><BR/>Ignore people like Carol Stacy who use the ever popular "some of my best friends are gay" line and just keep doing what you're doing. Eventually things will change, because they have to. I'm proud of you and of every GLBT writer who endures this type of nonsense. M/M is popular with het female readers and Carol Stacy knows it. So, just keep doing what you're doing.<BR/><BR/>Jolie du Pre<BR/>Author of lesbian erotica and erotic romanceJoliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14820785756693856574noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19709894.post-3100802894559214642007-05-03T18:15:00.000-04:002007-05-03T18:15:00.000-04:00Ms. Stacy,<BR/> <BR/>I do not totally blame the Hyatt for they way they handled this incident, I find that most of the blame lies with you and Romantic Times for this incident even occurring. Because you took Laura's money you had a professional obligation to fulfill your end of the bargain you took on by taking her fees. <BR/> <BR/>The fact that you obviously have no professional integrity or even basic business sense is very telling in the comments you've posted on Laura's blog. Maybe its time for someone else to start thinking about filling RT's convention shoes.Rochellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07546141873022787131noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19709894.post-85972278585080205272007-05-03T17:46:00.000-04:002007-05-03T17:46:00.000-04:00MS. Stacey,<BR/><BR/>Your arguments leave me puzzled. A more appropriate question is why does Romantic Time keep taking Laura's money if you are not willing to give her the same treatment and courtesy you give all of your other authors. This shows very bad business sense on your part. Taking someones money for services entitles them to expect a certain level of professionalism, which RT obviously isn't capable of delivering in this case. <BR/><BR/>And about you comment about having gay friends, most prejudice people do.<BR/><BR/>RocRochellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07546141873022787131noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19709894.post-38875891445925987792007-05-03T14:48:00.000-04:002007-05-03T14:48:00.000-04:00re: a romance magazine with class: http://www.affairedecoeur.com/<BR/><BR/>They review all genres of romance. All. And they have news-stand distribution and could be some serious competition given a little help.Rattitudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12711053353925618293noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19709894.post-69091979730994313782007-05-03T14:12:00.000-04:002007-05-03T14:12:00.000-04:00Laura,<BR/><BR/>What happened to you is awful, as I've already stated on a few loops. But the good thing to come out of your experience is that the entire romance/erotica community has rallied around you to support your fight. <BR/><BR/>I posted a link to your blog on my own blog yesterday morning. Within minutes, Sabrina Luna had picked up the story and posted it to several loops I belong to. By midday, her email was forwarded to OTHER groups, and by last night, the story was popping up on LiveJournal, MySpace, and a variety of other mediums. I know several other people posted your link, and it has spread from them as well. <BR/><BR/>It's good that you spoke out about this, and that people are aware of it. People are angry, authors and readers, activists, I even was speaking about it today on campus; I'm a law school student. My school's Lambda Society, the legal fraternity that supports the GLBT community, has asked what they can do to help, be it write letters, or...anything. Hell, even if a legal wrangle isn't to your tastes, a phone call to a newspaper would get your story out there even more.<BR/><BR/>RT and the Houston Hyatt now have a significant amount of egg on their faces. While they can never truly provide you just restitution for their actions, perhaps this will motivate them to do something, be it refund your convention and travel fees (absolutely they should), change their policies, issue an apology, etc. I doubt people will settle for less. <BR/><BR/>I don't write m/m. I do write some f/f, and BDSM erotica, so I understand. And even if I didn't, one does not have to be a m/m author to find this offensive and outrageous.<BR/><BR/>-KJKayleigh J.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09465089074041371899noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19709894.post-51784880544382891792007-05-03T13:39:00.000-04:002007-05-03T13:39:00.000-04:00I'm sorry this happened to you. I wtite m/m romance as well, and I think that romantic love between two consenting adults shouldn't a case for shame. (I'm sure if your books were about people dismembering each other, and there was a loaded gun pointing at someone's head on your promotional stuff, not a word would have been said.) <BR/>Humans are seriously fucked up sometimes.<BR/>BTW - I LOVED that poster and wish I had a copy to hang up next to my French rugby man calendar.<BR/>:-)Samhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05943062466398436785noreply@blogger.com