Most writers tend to get worse rather than better. I'm determined to be one that gets better.
Edmund WhiteRead
I was never an assimilationist. I always thought gays had some special mission.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote reflects a belief in the uniqueness and purpose of the gay community beyond mere assimilation into mainstream society.
Edmund White's quote speaks to the idea that rather than simply conforming to societal norms, the gay community possesses a distinct mission or identity that contributes to the broader human experience. It emphasizes the value of celebrating individuality and the unique perspectives that emerge from diverse sexual orientations, suggesting that these differences hold significance and purpose.
Themes
IdentityDiversityPurposeCommunityIndividuality
In practice
Example use cases
This quote could be used in a speech about LGBTQ+ rights to highlight the importance of recognizing unique identities.
More from Edmund White
All quotes βI've always seen writing as a way of telling the truth. For me, writing is about truth. I have always tried to be faithful to my own experience.
Edmund WhiteRead
In a memoir, your main contract with the reader is to tell the truth, no matter how bizarre.
Edmund WhiteRead
If bigots oppose gay marriage so vehemently, it must be because marriage is a defining institution for them; gays will never be fully accepted until they can marry and adopt, like anyone else.
Edmund WhiteRead
When we are young... we often experience things in the present with a nostalgia-in-advance, but we seldom guess what we will truly prize years from now.
Edmund WhiteRead
The Stonewall riots were a key moment for gay people. Throughout modern history, gays had thought of themselves as something like a mental illness or maybe a sin or a crime. Gay liberation allowed us to make the leap to being a 'minority group,' which made life much easier.
Edmund WhiteRead
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