The month of June was chosen for LGBT Pride Month to commemorate the Stonewall riots, which occurred at the end of June 1969. As a result, many pride events are held during this month to recognize the impact LGBT people have had in the world. 

A little bit of history…

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ) Pride Month is currently celebrated each year in the month of June to honor the 1969 Stonewall riots in Manhattan. The Stonewall riots were a tipping point for the Gay Liberation Movement in the United States. In the United States the last Sunday in June was initially celebrated as “Gay Pride Day,” but the actual day was flexible. In major cities across the nation the “day” soon grew to encompass a month-long series of events. Today, celebrations include pride parades, picnics, parties, workshops, symposia and concerts, and LGBTQ Pride Month events attract millions of participants around the world. Memorials are held during this month for those members of the community who have been lost to hate crimes or HIV/AIDS. The purpose of the commemorative month is to recognize the impact that lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals have had on history locally, nationally, and internationally.

In 1994, a coalition of education-based organizations in the United States designated October as LGBT History Month. In 1995, a resolution passed by the General Assembly of the National Education Association included LGBT History Month within a list of commemorative months. National Coming Out Day (October 11), as well as the first “March on Washington” in 1979, are commemorated in the LGBTQ community during LGBT History Month.

I thought it would be fun to do a giveaway to celebrate (details at the end of the post) but first, I wanted to share some of my favorite reads with you guys. And they are all Anthology or Box sets so you get more ‘bang’ for your buck, if you know what I mean.

Summer Love: An LGBTQ Collection… Summer Love is the first collection of short stories published by Duet, the young adult imprint from interlude Press. These short stories are about the emergence of young love–of bonfires and beaches, of the magical in-between time when young lives step from one world to another, and about finding the courage to be who you really are, to follow your heart and live an authentic life. The contributing authors have written stories about both romantic and platonic love featuring characters who are gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, pansexual and queer/questioning. The authors also represent a spectrum of experience, identity and backgrounds. Buy links: Amazon US Amazon UK

Footsteps in the Dark: An M/M Mystery Romance Anthology… The snick of a lock. The squeak of door hinges. The creak of a floorboard… Nothing is more mysterious than footsteps in the dark. Are those approaching steps that of friend or enemy? Lover or killer? Authors L.B. Gregg, Nicole Kimberling, Josh Lanyon, Dal MacLean, Z.A. Maxfield, Meg Perry, C.S. Poe and S.C. Wynne join forces for Footsteps in the Dark, eight sexy and suspenseful novellas of Male/Male Mystery and Romance. Buy links: Amazon US Amazon UK

All Cocks Stories box set Volume 1… Box Set Volume 1 includes books 1-3 in the All Cocks series (Gay for Pay, Fame and Fortune, How to Deal) All Cocks stories is a series of books set within the world of online gay porn. From straight ‘Gay for Pay’ models, to threesomes and so much more, you are welcome to join us at All Cocks INC for a series of stories about the men that work both in front of, and behind the camera. Life begins when the camera stops rolling. Buy link: Amazon US  **** FREE with KU

All Cocks Stories box set Volume 2… Box Set Volume 2 includes books 4-6 in the All Cocks series (How to Deal, Live for Love, Hide and Seek) All Cocks stories is a series of books set within the world of online gay porn. From straight ‘Gay for Pay’ models, to threesomes and so much more, you are welcome to join us at All Cocks INC for a series of stories about the men that work both in front of, and behind the camera. Life begins when the camera stops rolling. Buy links: Amazon US Amazon UK **** FREE with KU

Right Here, Right Now Antholoy… FROM POPULAR GAY ROMANCE AUTHORS LILY HARLEM, SAMANTHA CAYTO, BRIGHAM VAUGHN, ALEXA MILNE, JON KEYS AND THOM COLLINS. ’Undercover’ by Lily Harlem: When two alpha males collide, sparks will fly. ’Never the Groom’ by Samantha Cayto: A cold night turns unexpectedly hot. ’The Soldier Next Door’ by Brigham Vaughn: Sometimes, love is right next door. ’The Matchmaker’ by Alexa Milne: Sometimes you need a little push. ’Throwaway’ by Jon Keys: Garrett escaped the death threat from his family, but the Texas Panhandle is where he may be at the end of any hope. ’The Coach’ by Thom Collins: A routine assignment unlocks the secrets of his past. Buy links: Amazon US Amazon UK

The Assassin Shifters box set, books 1-22, by Sandrine Gasq-Dion Amazon US 

Now, here’s how the giveaway will work. It will run throughout the entire month of June with a winner chosen each week!

• June 5th- An eBook copy of any of the Anthologies/Box sets above EXCEPT the Assassin Shifters complete box set. If you choose the Assassin Shifters, you will get ONE of the eBook sets (books 1-6 OR books 7-10 OR books 11-14 OR books 15-22)
• June 12th- an Audiobook, winner’s choice from Author TM Smith’s available Audible titles
• June 19th- a $10 Amazon giftcard, country of winner’s choice
• June 26th- a $10 Dreamspinner press giftcard
• June 30th- an Audible code to use to purchase ANY book on the Audible site

To enter for a chance at any of these prizes, simply comment below “Happy Pride!” and you’ll be entered. Please be sure to leave your contact email so that you can be notified if you win. If you do not leave contact email, I will chose a different winner for that prize. Come back and comment each week for a better chance to win! This is a Lovebytes exclusive giveaway.

And now, it’s time for my monthly shameless plug…

TM Smith Author bio and links:

A military brat born and raised at Ft. Benning Georgia; TM Smith is an avid reader, reviewer and writer. A Texas transplant, she now calls DFW her home. Most days she can be found curled up with a good book, or ticking away on her next novel.

Smith is a single mom of three disturbingly outspoken and decidedly different kids, one of which is Autistic. Besides her writing, she is passionate about Autism advocacy and LGBT rights. Because, seriously people, Love is Love!

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