Probably, the nature of homophobia will never be widely interrogated, while we will continue to be excluded from school curricula, subjected to vicious media distortions, or entirely ignored, denied basic civil rights while our demands are ridiculed and derided. But in the midst of all this only one thing has changed for certain. We have changed. We will never go back into the closet.
Interpretation
The quote emphasizes the resilience and determination of the LGBTQ+ community despite ongoing discrimination and exclusion.
In this quote, Sarah Schulman highlights the persistent nature of homophobia and the challenges faced by the LGBTQ+ community, such as lack of representation in education and media, as well as denial of civil rights. However, she also emphasizes a crucial shift: the community's own transformation, which signifies that they will no longer hide or be silenced, showing their strength and resolve to stand openly and proudly in the face of adversity.
In practice
This quote can be used in a speech at a pride event to inspire courage among LGBTQ+ individuals.
Could it be ... that the hero is one who is willing to set out, take the first step, shoulder something? Perhaps the hero is one who puts his foot upon a path not knowing what he may expect from life but in some way feeling in his bones that life expects something of him.
The core of jiu-jitsu is finding yourself comfortable regardless if the guy wants to punch you in the face, if he wants to head-butt you or throw you on the ground. So that's the concept.
If you can stand up for your faith when you're on top, you can stand up for it now that you're at the bottom.
Even when I get on airplanes, very often, as I walk down the aisle, I notice a lot of people staring or whispering. I recognize the fact that yes, to a lot of people, I will always be that 14-year-old girl who was kidnapped and who was held captive.
Embrace your fear. Imagine what you're most afraid of, touch it and hold it so that you rob it of its power.
There is always more spirit in attack than in defence.
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.