SANTA MARIA, Calif., June 2, 2003 (PRIMEZONE) -- Discrimination is still prevalent in America today. Homosexuals seem to be baring the brunt of this bigotry, as resistance and hate come spewing down often from certain religious groups. This battle takes the forefront in the new novel, On Los Lunas Way (now available through 1stBooks), by Jason Timothy Stephens.
The sequel to his first novel, In Hawthorn Park, Stephens' latest book follows a character first introduced in the previous book. Kane Yamada learned a lot from Mark Kreider, his first gay friend. Six years later, Kane and his wife Julie operate Pacific Lights, a refuge for street youth in Hollywood. Their home serves all youth who arrive there, but is specifically gay friendly. Now parents, Kane and Julie have two sons and a daughter on the way.
The gay orientation of Pacific Lights does not go unnoticed. It soon becomes the target of a homophobic television evangelist, the Rev. Harry Hursh, who wants to take over Pacific Lights and use it for advancing several illegal activities he and his establishment are involved in. As Kane battles to save his place, he comes to rely on the services of a crusading gay journalist, Jeremy Sherwood. With a track record of exposing criminals in his stories, Sherwood helps Kane dig up the dirt on Hursh. However, they will underestimate the power and hate that drives Hursh and his associates. Kane will have to stand in the face of adversity to save Pacific Lights.
"The power and ruthlessness of the religious right have never been greater than they are this day in America, and that religious element ... has always used homosexuality as one whipping boy to enhance its control over its unwitting subjects. Furthermore, gay America is organized as never before to combat the discrimination we have historically endured. We are fighting back," Stephens states.
A writer of fiction and libertarian political commentary, Stephens was educated in Midwestern colleges and universities, served a time with the U.S. Army in Eritrea and his early career in retail store display, design and layout. Recently, he has been editor of an urban neighborhood newspaper, written numerous libertarian essays and began the gay fiction series, beginning with In Hawthorn Park (available through 1stBooks) and continuing with On Los Lunas Way. He says he currently resides "among the grape vines, strawberry plants and ranch land cattle of California's central coast."
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