Today I stumbled upon this quote. So, I just rudely lifted this directly from Heroes n Hunks.com; this is where I get my daily comic book fix.
"Somewhere in Des Moines or San Antonio there is a young gay person who all the sudden realizes that he or she is gay; knows that if their parents find out they will be tossed out of the house, their classmates will taunt the child, and the Anita Bryant’s and John Briggs’ are doing their part on TV. And that child has several options: staying in the closet, and suicide. And then one day that child might open the paper that says “Homosexual elected in San Francisco” and there are two new options: the option is to go to California, or stay in San Antonio and fight. Two days after I was elected I got a phone call and the voice was quite young. It was from Altoona, Pennsylvania. And the person said “Thanks”. And you’ve got to elect gay people, so that thousands upon thousands like that child know that there is hope for a better world; there is hope for a better tomorrow. Without hope, not only gays, but those who are blacks, the Asians, the disabled, the seniors, the us’s: without hope the us’s give up. I know that you can’t live on hope alone, but without it, life is not worth living. And you, and you, and you, and you have got to give them hope."
-Harvey Milk, 1978
In 1987 I found an article at the library. It was about the life of Harvey Milk. Up until I found this magazine, I really thought I was the only gay person on the planet. Reading this passage saved my life. Seriously, saved my life.
This is really what Thanksgiving is about.
Wow, thats incredibly inspirational that is a fantastic quote and I'm glad it had such a profound effect on you.
ReplyDeleteSeeing as I won't get the opportunity to sit around the dinner table with anyone to do this, I'd like to give thanks for all the wonderful lives I've been offered a glimpse at because of blogging, having buddies like you all around the world is a spectacular thing. Thats what I'm thankful for.
Yes. Yes, I am thankful for hope.
ReplyDeleteGood ness! I just broke down and cried so hard! I'm at work on Thanksgiving! But this is an amazing quote - I look forward to the movie release and I've been doing some recent reading on Harvey Milk - Not that long ago I was one of those little kids myself - I didn't know who he was. I'm glad you found him or he found you though Stevie! I'm grateful and thankful for that!
ReplyDeletetiming is everything... I hope you have a wonderful turkey day
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