1. “Love him and let him love you. Do you think anything else under heaven really matters?” – James Baldwin
In his iconic novel Giovanni’s Room, gay author James Baldwin makes a powerful statement about love. He proclaims that sex and gender don’t matter; all that matters is that two people love each other. Nothing should stand in their way if they have love in their hearts. These words resonated with millions of people who felt like their emotions were invalid because of the gender of the object of their love. With this quote, Baldwin assured them that it didn’t matter because love is love.
2. “If I wait for someone else to validate my existence, it will mean that I’m shortchanging myself.” – Zanele Muholi
Zanele Muholi is a South African activist and artist. She works primarily in photography and video. Despite her fame as an artist, Muholi identifies herself as an activist first. It is her intention to use her art to highlight the beauty and individuality of black LGBTQ women: a group that she believes has been terribly underrepresented in all forms of art. So, instead of waiting for someone else to validate LGBT women of color, she took it upon herself to bring the struggles, needs, and beauty of these women to light.
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3. “I am proud, that I found the courage to deal the initial blow to the hydra of public contempt.” – Karl Heinrich Ulrichs
Karl Heinrich Ulrichs is known as one of the first gay men to publicly announce his sexual identity. Born in Germany in 1825, his coming out was a historic and brave moment. During his lifetime, Ulrichs wrote numerous essays discussing hom*osexuality and asserting that non-heterosexual orientations are natural and biological. Despite being arrested numerous times, Ulrichs stated in the above quotation that he was proud of the work that he did for the LGBTQ community.
4. “It is absolutely imperative that every human being’s freedom and human rights are respected, all over the world.”– Jóhanna Sigurðardóttir
Jóhanna Sigurðardóttir, a former Icelandic Prime Minister and the first openly gay head of state, uttered these words during a speech at a 2014 Pride festival. In this speech, she was thankful that her native country was making strides towards acceptance and equal rights for LGBTQ people. However, she emphasized that until these rights are status quo all over the world, we cannot consider ourselves truly free. This marked one of the first calls from a head of state to make LGBTQ rights the standard worldwide.
5. “Every LGBTQ+ refugee has a unique situation—but the fear and pain they endured before coming to Canada is universal.” – Arsham Parsi
Arsham Parsi, an Iranian refugee living in Canada in exile, has made it his mission to help LGBTQ people living in Iran: a nation where acts of hom*osexuality are punishable by flogging or even death. In the above quotation, Parsi seeks the assistance of LGBTQ people living in Western nations, providing a powerful reminder that while things are slowly improving in the west, there are still queer people all over the world who live every day afraid for their very lives.
6. “Equality means more than passing laws. The struggle is really won in the hearts and minds of the community, where it really counts.” – Barbara Gittings
Barbara Gittings is known for being an American activist fighting on behalf of the LGBTQ population. In her most well-known fight she took on a Goliath: the United States government. She picketed to stop them from barring LGBTQ applicants from employment. However, as she states in the above quote, her greatest wish was not for laws to pass, but for true acceptance and equality.
7. “Nature made a mistake, which I have corrected.” – Christine Jorgensen
Christine Jorgensen was one of the first people to undergo sex reassignment surgery, and the first to publicly speak about the process. While many decried her decision as unnatural, she made the bold assertion that nature was wrong in putting her into a man’s body, and that the reassignment surgery made things right. Her advocacy aimed to normalize transgenderism and allow those who identified as trans to understand and accept themselves for who they truly are.
8. “If you help elect more gay people, that gives a green light to all who feel disenfranchised a green light to move forward.” – Harvey Milk
When Harvey Milk became the first openly gay person elected to public office in California, he became the face of the push to put more LGBTQ people in positions of power. In this quotation, he stresses that doing so will not only monumental for those in the queer community who don’t feel represented; it will also empower anyone who feels disenfranchised by those who are supposed to represent them.
9. “My silences had not protected me. Your silence will not protect you.” – Audre Lorde
Audre Lorde described herself as a “black, lesbian, mother, warrior, poet.” In her writing, she frequently expressed her anger at the treatment of people of color, women, and LGBTQ folk. In the above quotation, she calls for others to express their anger. To many in the queer community, staying silent and in the closet felt like a safety blanket. However, Lorde encouraged them to step out into the light, telling them that the only true safety is in making yourself known and demanding the acceptance and respect that is your right.
10. “”We need, in every community, a group of angelic troublemakers.” – Bayard Rustin
If you aren’t familiar with the name “Bayard Rustin,” you may recognize one of his closest associates: Martin Luther King Jr. Rustin was an important figure in the Civil Rights Movement, fighting not only for the rights of African Americans, but for the LGBTQ community as well. Rustin urged the disenfranchised to engage in civil disobedience to get their points across to the majority, encouraging those who wanted to fight for their rights to be unafraid to speak up and act out to demand them.
11. “I’m not missing a minute of this. It’s the revolution!” – Sylvia Rivera
This is one of the most famous quotes to come out of the Stonewall Riots. Uttered by Latina LGBTQ activist Sylvia Rivera, this statement served as a rallying cry for many who were afraid of the violence that occurred at Stonewall. Rivera knew the dangers, but also knew that the risk was worth the potential reward. She knew that the queer community had been put down for long enough and was ready to fight for their rights and for their voice. Participating in the riots at only 17 years old, Rivera was an inspiration to many.
12. “The next time someone asks you why LGBT Pride marches exist or why Gay Pride Month is June tell them ‘A bisexual woman named Brenda Howard thought it should be.’” – Brenda Howard
Brenda Howard is known as the “Mother of Pride.” She was instrumental in organizing the first ever Pride marches: events that have become a vital part of the fight for acceptance. Howard was also one of the few activists to focus on rights for those who identified as bisexual or polyamorous: two groups that are often underrepresented in LGBTQ activism.
13. “If a transvestite doesn’t say I’m gay and I’m proud and I’m a transvestite, then nobody else is going to hop up there and say I’m gay and I’m proud and I’m a transvestite for them.” – Marsha P. Johnson
Another important figure in the Stonewall Riots, Marsha P. Johnson was also one of the first activists to fight for the rights and dignity of drag queens. She was vocal throughout her life about the unique struggles faced by those who dressed in drag and encouraged others not to become complacent and to continue fighting for rights and respect.
14. “When you are doing something that is right, you just do it and take care … Someone has to do this.” – Alice Nkom
Alice Nkom made history when she became the first female Cameroonian lawyer. In her time practicing law, she has dedicated her career to helping those who have been the victims of her country’s harsh laws against hom*osexuality. The fight has been an uphill battle, as these types of laws are not uncommon in African countries. However, Nkom continues to fight, as she knows that her fight is just and right. With her work, she hopes to usher in a new era for the rights of the LGBTQ population in Cameroon.
15. “It is against this God who kills that we are fighting and resisting.” – Alexya Salvador
Organized religion has been one of the harshest critics of hom*osexuality, citing holy writings as evidence that it goes against God. Alexya Salvador, set to become the first transgender pastor in Brazil, doesn’t necessarily see religion as the enemy of LGBTQ rights. As she states in this quotation, it is a particular version of God, one that is vengeful and judgmental, that must be eradicated. She strives for a different view of God: one that is accepting and loving of everyone, regardless of their identities. She hopes to usher in a new era of love and understanding between religion and the LGBTQ community.
16. “The Lord is my Shepherd and he knows I’m gay.” – Troy Perry
Troy Perry founded the Metropolitan Community Church: a Protestant denomination that specializes in welcoming the LGBTQ community. Perry was religious for much of his life, but was frustrated by feeling unwelcome as a gay man. With his ministry, he strives to give others a place of love, welcoming, and acceptance. He is also a vocal advocate encouraging other faith communities to open their doors to the queer community.
17. “AIDS is a plague – numerically, statistically and by any definition known to modern public health – though no one in authority has the guts to call it one.” – Larry Kramer
The AIDS epidemic, which reached its peak in the 80s and 90s, was a vital moment for the queer community. Gay men were the group most ravaged by the disease, and the most feared and hated group because of it. Larry Kramer was a vocal advocate for those suffering from AIDS, and continues to speak out to this day about the failure of our society to help and protect those who are suffering.
18. “There will not be a magic day when we wake up and it’s now okay to express ourselves publicly. We make that day by doing things publicly until it’s simply the way things are.” – Tammy Baldwin
In 2013, Tammy Baldwin made history by becoming the first openly gay Senator in the United States. In her speech at the Millennium March for Equality, she spoke to LGBTQ folks, encouraging them to be out and proud. In this quotation, she states that the only way to normalize non-heterosexual orientations is for the queer community to act like they are normal, because they are.
19. “Openness may not completely disarm prejudice, but it’s a good place to start.” – Jason Collins
In 2014, Jason Collins made history by becoming the first male professional athlete to publicly identify himself as gay. After his announcement, a flood of other queer athletes began declaring their sexuality, revealing to the world that some of our greatest sports figures are in fact LGBTQ. This was a milestone for the fight for equality because, as Collins says, being open about sexual orientation is an important step towards ending prejudice.
20. “The richness, beauty and depths of love can only be fully experienced in a climate of complete openness, honesty and vulnerability.” – Anthony Venn Brown
“Conversion therapy” has been a major issue for LGBTQ youth for decades, or perhaps even longer. It is often used in Christian communities to encourage queer youth to use religion to combat their hom*osexual desires. Anthony Venn Brown underwent such therapy in Australia and later publicly denounced such programs. He advocated for the abolition of such programs by describing the damage that they do to LGBTQ youth who are forced to undergo them, as well as the damage that lack of acceptance can have on the entire community.
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Insights, advice, suggestions, feedback and comments from experts
As an expert and enthusiast, I have access to a vast amount of information on various topics, including the concepts mentioned in this article. Here is some information related to the concepts discussed in the article:
James Baldwin:
James Baldwin was a renowned American writer and social critic. He was openly gay and his works often explored themes of race, sexuality, and identity. One of his iconic novels, "Giovanni's Room," addresses the complexities of love and the importance of accepting oneself and others [[1]].
Zanele Muholi:
Zanele Muholi is a South African artist and activist known for their work in photography and video. Muholi focuses on highlighting the experiences and representation of black LGBTQ women, who they believe have been underrepresented in art. Through their art, Muholi aims to bring attention to the struggles, needs, and beauty of these women [[2]].
Karl Heinrich Ulrichs:
Karl Heinrich Ulrichs was a German writer and one of the first gay men to publicly announce his sexual identity. Born in 1825, Ulrichs wrote numerous essays advocating for the acceptance of hom*osexuality and asserting that non-heterosexual orientations are natural and biological. Despite facing legal consequences and societal backlash, Ulrichs expressed pride in his work for the LGBTQ community [[3]].
Jóhanna Sigurðardóttir:
Jóhanna Sigurðardóttir is an Icelandic politician who served as the country's Prime Minister from 2009 to 2013. She was the world's first openly gay head of government. Sigurðardóttir has been a vocal advocate for LGBTQ rights and has emphasized the importance of respecting the freedom and human rights of every individual, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity [[4]].
Arsham Parsi:
Arsham Parsi is an Iranian refugee living in Canada who has dedicated his life to helping LGBTQ individuals in Iran. In Iran, hom*osexuality is criminalized, and Parsi has been working to provide support and assistance to LGBTQ people living in fear for their lives. His quote highlights the universal fear and pain experienced by LGBTQ refugees and the need for continued support and awareness [[5]].
Barbara Gittings:
Barbara Gittings was an American LGBTQ rights activist who played a significant role in advocating for the rights of the LGBTQ population. She fought against employment discrimination and worked to challenge the United States government's policies that barred LGBTQ individuals from various opportunities. Gittings believed that true acceptance and equality could only be achieved through a change in the hearts and minds of the community [[6]].
Christine Jorgensen:
Christine Jorgensen was one of the first individuals to undergo sex reassignment surgery and publicly speak about the process. She aimed to normalize transgenderism and asserted that she had corrected a mistake made by nature. Jorgensen's advocacy helped pave the way for greater understanding and acceptance of transgender individuals [[7]].
Harvey Milk:
Harvey Milk was an American politician and gay rights activist. He became the first openly gay person elected to public office in California. Milk believed that electing more LGBTQ individuals to positions of power would empower marginalized communities and give them a voice in shaping policies that affect them. His quote emphasizes the importance of representation and inclusivity in politics [[8]].
Audre Lorde:
Audre Lorde was a black lesbian poet, writer, and activist. She advocated for the rights of people of color, women, and LGBTQ individuals. Lorde encouraged individuals to express their anger and to demand acceptance and respect. She believed that silence and invisibility only perpetuated oppression and that true safety could be found in making oneself known [[9]].
Bayard Rustin:
Bayard Rustin was an American civil rights activist who fought for the rights of African Americans and the LGBTQ community. He believed in the power of civil disobedience and encouraged those who wanted to fight for their rights to be unafraid to speak up and act out. Rustin emphasized the importance of being "angelic troublemakers" to bring about change [[10]].
Sylvia Rivera:
Sylvia Rivera was a Latina LGBTQ activist who played a significant role in the Stonewall Riots, a pivotal moment in the LGBTQ rights movement. Her quote reflects her determination to fight for the rights of the queer community and her belief that the revolution for equality was worth every minute [[11]].
Brenda Howard:
Brenda Howard, known as the "Mother of Pride," was instrumental in organizing the first Pride marches. She focused on advocating for the rights of bisexual and polyamorous individuals, who are often underrepresented in LGBTQ activism [[12]].
Marsha P. Johnson:
Marsha P. Johnson was an LGBTQ rights activist and a prominent figure in the Stonewall Riots. She fought for the rights and dignity of drag queens and encouraged others not to become complacent in the fight for rights and respect [[13]].
Alice Nkom:
Alice Nkom is a Cameroonian lawyer who has dedicated her career to helping LGBTQ individuals who have been victims of harsh laws against hom*osexuality in Cameroon. She continues to fight for LGBTQ rights, aiming to bring about change and improve the rights of the LGBTQ population in her country [[14]].
Alexya Salvador:
Alexya Salvador is a Brazilian transgender pastor who aims to challenge the view of a vengeful and judgmental God. She advocates for a more accepting and loving interpretation of religion that includes everyone, regardless of their identities [[15]].
Troy Perry:
Troy Perry founded the Metropolitan Community Church, a Protestant denomination that welcomes the LGBTQ community. Perry's ministry focuses on providing a place of love, acceptance, and support for LGBTQ individuals. He also advocates for other faith communities to be more inclusive [[16]].
Larry Kramer:
Larry Kramer is an American playwright, author, and AIDS activist. He has been a vocal advocate for those suffering from AIDS and has criticized the lack of action and support from authorities. Kramer's quote highlights the urgency and severity of the AIDS epidemic and the need for a stronger response [[17]].
Tammy Baldwin:
Tammy Baldwin made history in 2013 by becoming the first openly gay Senator in the United States. In her speech at the Millennium March for Equality, she encouraged LGBTQ individuals to be open about their identities, as openness can help challenge prejudice and promote acceptance [[18]].
Jason Collins:
Jason Collins, a former professional basketball player, made history in 2014 by becoming the first male professional athlete to publicly come out as gay. His openness about his sexual orientation encouraged other athletes to follow suit, contributing to the fight against prejudice and discrimination [[19]].
Anthony Venn Brown:
Anthony Venn Brown is an Australian advocate who underwent conversion therapy and later denounced such programs. He works to raise awareness about the harm caused by conversion therapy and advocates for its abolition. Brown also highlights the importance of acceptance and support for the LGBTQ community [[20]].
Please note that the information provided here is a summary of the concepts mentioned in the article. For more in-depth information, I recommend referring to the original sources or conducting further research.
