RWI's More Than Magic Contest is banning same-sex romance entries

So time goes backwards (and not in a good way) for some romance contests! Who knew?

Romance Writers Ink, a Tulsa, Oklahoma-based RWA chapter, is holding its Magic 2012 contest. Check out the first rule:

ENTRY DEADLINE: March 2, 2012 – Books must be received by March 7, 2012

RULES:

1. All entries must be book-length romance fiction.
Includes novellas of at least 15,000 words.

– Note: MTM will no longer accept same-sex entries in any category.

Heidi Cullinan brought it to everyone's attention. Courtney Milan is calling for a boycott. Kari Gregg talks about the RWA's definition of "romance" (hint: it's not discriminatory). Sarah at Smart Bitches, Trashy Books takes on the subject as well.

Kari Gregg emailed RWI and asked why same-sex romance was banned. Here's how she tells it:

So…I emailed the contest organizer to ask why this change was enacted. The contest organizer replied that RWI chapter members were “uncomfortable” with accepting same-sex contest entries. “Same-sex was just too much.”

Your judges may be "uncomfortable" with reading same-sex romance, but so what?

Plenty of folks are "uncomfortable" with your bigotry.

I'm an RWA member. You're an RWA chapter.

Act like one.

And, because outrage always inspires an internet petition, here it is. 616 signatures so far.