Quotes can be a powerful tool for inspiration and empowerment. Whether you are in a man-to-woman gay relationship or you’re supporting LGBTQ rights, these quotes will help you celebrate your love and find strength.
With gay marriage becoming legal in more countries, these inspiring quotes are a reminder that love wins all.
Madonna
In a world full of homophobic misogynists, it’s comforting to know that some people are standing up for equality. Madonna has been a major LGBTQ advocate throughout her career, winning GLAAD awards for “Raising Gay Awareness” and 2019’s “Advocate for Change.” She’s also been credited by diverse authors including Matt Cain and Anderson Cooper for helping bring gay culture into the mainstream, making it less stigmatized.
Her activism has included supporting Ellen DeGeneres and Rosie O’Donnell when they came out, and even visiting Russia to address their anti-LGBT laws. She’s always a force to be reckoned with, especially when she has the power of pop music behind her. Her iconic performances of ‘Like A Virgin’ and ‘Material Girl” have sent queer fans into an excitable frenzy, and her infamous jean-short-wearing dancers are a sight to behold.
Beyonce
The queen of pop recently faced backlash for accepting a performance in Dubai, which has laws that allow for the death penalty for those caught engaging in same-sex relationships. Despite the controversy, fans were quick to praise Beyonce for her support of LGBTQ culture in her latest album, Renaissance. The disco-inspired, sexy, club-ready release was dedicated to her late gay uncle Jonny and Black queer culture.
The track “Move” samples disco legend and Studio 54 icon Grace Jones, whose androgynous beauty, frequent appearances at gay clubs and resistance to easy labels elevated her to queer icon status. She also featured same-sex couples in the video for the song.
Beyonce has a long history of supporting the LGBTQ community, including promoting the “Y’all Means All” campaign against North Carolina’s discriminatory bathroom bill and hiring transgender actress Laverne Cox as the face of her Ivy Park clothing line. In addition, she has worked with and uplifted LGBTQ artists like MNEK, Messy Mya, and Big Freedia.
Lil Nas X
Montero Lamar Hill, better known as Lil Nas X, has come a long way since his days as a high school kid blasting SoundCloud rappers on his headphones and spending his free time scrolling through Twitter. The “Old Town Road” rapper is now a Gen-Z success story, red carpet fixture and Billboard chart topper. But perhaps most importantly for LGBTQ fans, he’s also a country rap icon and proud queer figurehead.
This quote is a reminder that love is a universal sentiment that shouldn’t be categorized by sex or gender. It’s also a call to action to fight against oppression, whether that’s bigotry or discrimination.
One of the most recognizable gay quotes ever, this one from Audre Lorde was delivered just a few months before she was diagnosed with cancer and died at age 58. These words reflect on the pain and struggle of being a lesbian at a time when being openly gay was considered taboo.
Harvey Milk
As Pride Month begins, we are reminded of a man who stood for hope and change. Harvey Milk was the first openly gay person to hold public office in California, when he became a member of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors in 1977. Before entering politics, he ran a camera shop and saw many injustices in his community. Whether it was homosexuality being criminalized or teachers not having enough resources, Milk was committed to fighting for all people.
Milk’s work and words inspire those who want to push for equality in our society. His assassination in 1978, along with Mayor George Moscone, sparked riots and a movement that continues to grow. Among his many accomplishments, he defeated the Briggs Initiative, which would have banned gay and lesbian teachers in the state of California. He was also known for his philanthropic efforts such as establishing daycare centers and introducing the “pooper scooper law.” Milk’s life is an incredible tale of activism, love, and tragedy.
