10 most powerful LGBTQ+ quotes that made history

LGBTQ is an acronym that stands for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, or Questioning. These terms describe the sexual orientation and preferences of these people. Sexual orientation is an integral part of our life and it is extremely necessary to understand and respect every different type of it.

However, people having a sexual orientation different from just heterosexuality have been suffering for ages. They are looked down upon socially, banned from pursuing it legally, suffer constantly economically, and are often forced to change their body medically. Globally, human rights and social workers are constantly fighting for their rights along with them. While some of them have succeeded, some are still fighting every day.

To support the LGBTQ community during Pride Month, we have drafted the 10 most powerful quotes that made history.

1. “The richness, beauty, and depths of love can only be fully experienced in a climate of complete opened, honesty and vulnerability.”

– Anthony Venn Brown

“Conversion therapy” has been a major issue for the LGBTQ community. In this, people are asked to follow the religion, have faith in God, and convert themselves to socially preferred heterosexuals. Anthony Venn Brown is one such Australian Christian Gay, who underwent therapy. Furthermore, his parents were faithful Christians and they considered homosexuality to be a sin. During that era, Australian society strongly discouraged this as well. It was a mental illness and crime. However, after undergoing several religious rituals and societal issues, he stayed proud of his sexuality. His autobiography ‘A life of unlearning’ describes his journey.

2. “It is against this God who kills that we are fighting and resisting.”

–Alexya Salvador

When critics hold hands with religion, it becomes significantly difficult to fight them. They claim that LGBTQ goes against religion and it is a sin to be a member of that community. However, proving this particular superstition false, Alexya Salvador becomes the first transgender pastor of Brazil. She does not consider religion as their community’s enemy but has a different version of God. She believes that God is not vengeful but loving and accepting, irrespective of someone’s identity or sexual orientation.

3. “I am not missing a minute of this. It’s the revolution!”

–Sylvia Rivera

LGBTQ has always been a controversial subject globally. They always had to fight harder than anyone else, for their rights and justice. Sylvia Rivera is one such activist who constantly fought for the LGBTQ community of her country. When it was a crime to be a part of the community and no one dared to come out, she was the one to urge them to stand up and fight for themselves. She knew it was dangerous, but she believed the reward was worth it.

4. “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: the mother of pride. She is the woman behind organizing pride marches. Consequently, these marches became globally popular and an integral part of the fight for the existence of the LGBTQ community. She was also the one who identified the difference between two underrepresented and under-supported groups of the LGBTQ community: bisexual and polyamorous.

5. “Every LGBTQ+ refugee has a unique situation—but the fear and pain they endured before coming to Canada are universal.”

– Arsham Parsi

Arsham Parsi is an Iranian member of the LGBTQ+ community. He is an Iranian refugee, currently living in Canada in exile. He has made it his life mission to help people from his country to lead a peaceful and respectful life. Being an LGBTQ+ activist belonging from Iran: a country where homosexuality is considered a crime and a punishable offense, he lives to seek assistance from those who work every day to improve the prevailing situation in their country.

6 “Love him and let him love you. Do you think anything else under heaven really matters?”

–James Baldwin

James Baldwin makes a powerful statement about the LGBTQ+ community in his iconic novel ‘Giovanni’s room’. He claims that love overpowers sex, gender, and everything else. All that really should matter is that two people being in love with each other, irrespective of their gender. His quote resonated with millions of people all over the world who felt insecure, unsafe, and weirdly different due to their sexuality. However, Baldwin assured them that at the end of the day, it is only loved that really matters.

7. “I am proud, that I found the courage to deal the initial blow to the hydra of public contempt.”

– Karl Heinrich Ulrichs

Years ago, coming out as a member of the LGBTQ+ community was a big deal. People around, even immediate families were not supportive, but embarrassed. Karl was one of the first gay men who had the courage to come out and publicly announce his sexual preferences. It was one of the most historic moments in the country. He was arrested several times for being a homosexual in Germany. However, he has always been a proud homosexual and supporter of his community.

8. “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 was an American activist who believed equality is not just legally passing laws, but also social acceptance. She fought for the community on behalf of the whole population. However, she is most popularly known for standing up against United States Government who made it unimaginably difficult for the transgender community to get employment. Consequently, she stopped them from barring the LGBTQ+ community to apply for jobs.

9.“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

The first openly elected gay person to a public office in California was Harvey Milk. He urged the people of his community to secure positions of power in the country and be an inspiration to others. He believes that being in power will not only empower the members internally but also motivate and encourage them to come out and take a stance for themselves.

10. “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

Marsha P. Johnson was one of the first activists to fight for the LGBTQ+ community. She has believed in being vocal and outspoken. Furthermore, she believed that if you cannot speak up for yourself, no one else will.

Conclusion

LGBTQ+ community still faces inequality and injustice in several countries over the world. While we have come a long way to fight for their acceptance, there is still a long way to go. Make the world a better place for everyone.

For more, click here LGBTQ Community – All You Need to Know