--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: To all my friends who constantly talk…" description: "\"“To all my friends who constantly talk disparagingly about the supposed 'homosexual lifestyle' and stereotype gay people and the community, I'd like to..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/77b/anthony-venn-brown-25652_better-world_to-all-my-friends-who-constantly-talk-di_2399370.png" --- # To all my friends who constantly talk disparagingly about… ![“To all my friends who constantly talk disparagingly about the supposed 'homosexual lifestyle' and stereotype gay people and the community, I'd like to get this straight. There are essentially two worlds – the 'gay scene' and the gay (or LGBTIQ) community. The 'scene' is like the tip of the…” quote by Anthony Venn-Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/77b/anthony-venn-brown-25652_better-world_to-all-my-friends-who-constantly-talk-di_2399370.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/77b/anthony-venn-brown-25652_better-world_to-all-my-friends-who-constantly-talk-di_2399370.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/77b/anthony-venn-brown-25652_better-world_to-all-my-friends-who-constantly-talk-di_2399370.png) > ““To all my friends who constantly talk disparagingly about the supposed 'homosexual lifestyle' and stereotype gay people and the community, I'd like to get this straight. There are essentially two worlds – the 'gay scene' and the gay (or LGBTIQ) community. The 'scene' is like the tip of the iceberg; what is seen by others because it is visible on a street, suburb or pride parade. Like the ninety percent of the submerged iceberg, the community is larger and less visible. It consists of organisations, groups, support networks and also gay and lesbian singles and couples living 'normal' lives in the suburbs. Occasionally there is an overlap but not often. Some live, socialise and work in both. Many never enter each others worlds. The values, lifestyles and culture of these two worlds are as different as Asian culture is to western is to African is to Middle Eastern. Dig down even deeper below the surface and you find it is not a single community but diverse communities and subcultures that are separate but not necessarily divided. The common thing that binds them together is their experience of inequality, discrimination and their desire to make a better world for themselves, others and future generations. If you believe that all gays and lesbians are shallow and obsessed with sex, body image, partying, nightclubs and bars then you are obviously an observer from the outside or mixing in the wrong circles.”” [Anthony Venn-Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-venn-brown/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The gay community is diverse, comprising visible “scene” and larger, less seen networks, united by shared struggles. **In simple terms:** Gay community has many layers beyond stereotypes. Key Takeaway Recognize and respect the complexity of LGBTQ+ lives. Themes diversity identity stereotypes inequality community culture Mood empathetic thoughtful Type educational advocacy When to use this quote - policy advocacy - educational workshops - media representation - support groups Key Concepts social theory intersectionality Questions to Reflect On - How can you avoid stereotypes when supporting LGBTQ+ people? - What actions show respect for hidden community members? A Different Perspective Overgeneralizing can erase individual experiences. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Better world](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/better-world/) [Body image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/body-image/) [Friendship](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/friendship/) [Gay people](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gay-people/) [Gay Scene](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gay-scene-937543/) [Homosexual Lifestyle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/homosexual-lifestyle-1060444/) [Homosexuality](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/homosexuality/) [Lgbt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lgbt/) [Lgbtiq Community](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lgbtiq-community-6003543/) [Lgbtq](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lgbtq/) [Lgbtq-community](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lgbtq-community/) [Racism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/racism/) [Scene Gay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/scene-gay-6003544/) [Tip of the iceberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tip-of-the-iceberg/) ## Related quotes > [“It's important to remember that having a conversation about us (LGBT) without us will usually be a recycling or preconceived ideas and misconceptions. Can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-venn-brown/it-s-important-to-remember-that-having-a-conversation-about-us-lgbt/) [Anthony Venn-Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-venn-brown/) > [“When you hear of Gay Pride, remember, it was not born out of a need to celebrate being gay. It evolved out of our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-venn-brown/when-you-hear-of-gay-pride-remember-it-was-not-born-out-of-a-need-to/) [Anthony Venn-Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-venn-brown/) > [“There are those from religious backgrounds who resist and oppose LGBT equality; some very obsessively and publicly. They make bold accusations and negative statements…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-venn-brown/there-are-those-from-religious-backgrounds-who-resist-and-oppose-lgbt/) [Anthony Venn-Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-venn-brown/) > [I'm a very recent convert to the gay scene. I went to a party a couple of years ago and met a very nice…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-lucas/i-m-a-very-recent-convert-to-the-gay-scene-i-went-to-a-party-a-couple/) [Matt Lucas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-lucas/) > [When I came out, I found I hadn't been born with the right genes. It's quite brutal. If you're beautiful and you have the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-grant/when-i-came-out-i-found-i-hadn-t-been-born-with-the-right-genes-it-s/) [John Grant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-grant/) > [“You need to start making an effort,” Richard said. “There’s a thing called the gay scene nowadays. It happens in large cities – London,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-hensher/you-need-to-start-making-an-effort-richard-said-there-s-a-thing/) [Philip Hensher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-hensher/) > [We think that it legitimizes the homosexual lifestyle.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christine-o-donnell/we-think-that-it-legitimizes-the-homosexual-lifestyle/) [Christine O'Donnell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christine-o-donnell/) > [I'm not suggesting that we promote a homosexual lifestyle and we impose it on people, but I am suggesting that it is important to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-hoover/i-m-not-suggesting-that-we-promote-a-homosexual-lifestyle-and-we/) [Margaret Hoover](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-hoover/) > [If I believe the Bible, then I don't believe that a gay lifestyle or a homosexual lifestyle is the right way to choose to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joyce-meyer/if-i-believe-the-bible-then-i-don-t-believe-that-a-gay-lifestyle-or-a/) [Joyce Meyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joyce-meyer/) > [The vast majority of Muslims would never accept the lawfulness of an active homosexual lifestyle. I don't see that happening. But there is also…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hamza-yusuf/the-vast-majority-of-muslims-would-never-accept-the-lawfulness-of-an/) [Hamza Yusuf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hamza-yusuf/) > [I certainly discourage people getting involved with any group or organization that foster living a homosexual lifestyle.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lance-b-wickman/i-certainly-discourage-people-getting-involved-with-any-group-or/) [Lance B. Wickman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lance-b-wickman/) > [“It was my conclusion that any people who were oppressed, particularly gay people like myself, could not depend upon others to be our heroes.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/troy-d-perry/it-was-my-conclusion-that-any-people-who-were-oppressed-particularly/) [Troy D. Perry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/troy-d-perry/) > [“BL series play an important role in creating a space where people feel they're not alone. Seeing characters on screen who reflect your own…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noeul-nuttarat-tangwai/bl-series-play-an-important-role-in-creating-a-space-where-people/) [Noeul Nuttarat Tangwai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noeul-nuttarat-tangwai/) > [“Queer people have had to actively make their culture and community and institutions, because the non-queer world is not going to do it for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-liss/queer-people-have-had-to-actively-make-their-culture-and-community/) [Sarah Liss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-liss/) > [“I didn't set out to do a gay comic, but given the current political and religious climate in this country, I feel it is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paige-braddock/i-didn-t-set-out-to-do-a-gay-comic-but-given-the-current-political/) [Paige Braddock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paige-braddock/) ## More by Anthony Venn-Brown > [“A review of 850 research papers concluded that people with religious involvement and belief system have better mental health outcomes. They have higher levels…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-venn-brown/a-review-of-850-research-papers-concluded-that-people-with-religious/) [Anthony Venn-Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-venn-brown/) > [“Sometimes people tell me they don’t want to label themselves by their sexual orientation. I used to reject my gay identity. In fact I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-venn-brown/sometimes-people-tell-me-they-don-t-want-to-label-themselves-by-their/) [Anthony Venn-Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-venn-brown/) > [“When you hear of Gay Pride, remember, it was not born out of a need to celebrate being gay. It evolved out of our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-venn-brown/when-you-hear-of-gay-pride-remember-it-was-not-born-out-of-a-need-to/) [Anthony Venn-Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-venn-brown/) > [The enemy is not individuals, churches, 'ex-gay' organisations or political parties; the enemy is ignorance. Change is created by focusing our energies on overcoming…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-venn-brown/the-enemy-is-not-individuals-churches-ex-gay-organisations-or/) [Anthony Venn-Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-venn-brown/) > [When you finally embrace the gift of your sexual orientation it IS the end; the end of shame, fear and oppression. You leave the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-venn-brown/when-you-finally-embrace-the-gift-of-your-sexual-orientation-it-is/) [Anthony Venn-Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-venn-brown/) > [“Even if you believe the Genesis record of creation you’ll see that God did not create a black and white world of male and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-venn-brown/even-if-you-believe-the-genesis-record-of-creation-you-ll-see-that/) [Anthony Venn-Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-venn-brown/) > [Every single courageous act of coming out chips away at the curse of homophobia. Most importantly it's destroyed within yourself, and that act creates…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-venn-brown/every-single-courageous-act-of-coming-out-chips-away-at-the-curse-of/) [Anthony Venn-Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-venn-brown/) > [“According to my previous belief system, being a Christian and homosexual was not only incompatible; like heaven and hell, they were in absolute opposition.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-venn-brown/according-to-my-previous-belief-system-being-a-christian-and/) [Anthony Venn-Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-venn-brown/) > [When we choose to live authentically we chip away at others prisons of pretend and create an opportunity for them to walk out of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-venn-brown/when-we-choose-to-live-authentically-we-chip-away-at-others-prisons/) [Anthony Venn-Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-venn-brown/) > [Outing someone is like ripping a butterfly from its cocoon. You can damage them for life and rob them of THEIR life changing experience…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-venn-brown/outing-someone-is-like-ripping-a-butterfly-from-its-cocoon-you-can/) [Anthony Venn-Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-venn-brown/) > [“There are those from religious backgrounds who resist and oppose LGBT equality; some very obsessively and publicly. They make bold accusations and negative statements…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-venn-brown/there-are-those-from-religious-backgrounds-who-resist-and-oppose-lgbt/) [Anthony Venn-Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-venn-brown/) > [If you are in the closet and fall in love with someone of the same gender, it doesn't automatically remove the shame and fear…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-venn-brown/if-you-are-in-the-closet-and-fall-in-love-with-someone-of-the-same/) [Anthony Venn-Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-venn-brown/) > [Homophobia and the closet are allies. Like an unhealthy co-dependent relationship they need each other to survive. One plays the victim living in fear…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-venn-brown/homophobia-and-the-closet-are-allies-like-an-unhealthy-co-dependent/) [Anthony Venn-Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-venn-brown/) > [It's better to live one day on this planet being true to yourself than an entire lifetime which is a lie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-venn-brown/it-s-better-to-live-one-day-on-this-planet-being-true-to-yourself/) [Anthony Venn-Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-venn-brown/) > [“The closet does have a benefit. It provides safety. Which at times is important. But remember, as long as you are in there, two…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-venn-brown/the-closet-does-have-a-benefit-it-provides-safety-which-at-times-is/) [Anthony Venn-Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-venn-brown/) [Explore all 22 Anthony Venn-Brown quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-venn-brown/) ## More Better world quotes > [Something must be done to save humanity! A better world is possible!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fidel-castro/something-must-be-done-to-save-humanity-a-better-world-is-possible/) [Fidel Castro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fidel-castro/) > [One Hundred Year Starship really is about the idea that is we pursue an extraordinary tomorrow; we'll build a better world today.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mae-jemison/one-hundred-year-starship-really-is-about-the-idea-that-is-we-pursue/) [Mae Jemison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mae-jemison/) > [The advance of liberty is the path to both a safer and better world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-w-bush/the-advance-of-liberty-is-the-path-to-both-a-safer-and-better-world/) [George W. Bush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-w-bush/) > [... man has an idea of a better world than this. But better does not mean different, it means unified... Religion or crime, every…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-camus/man-has-an-idea-of-a-better-world-than-this-but-better-does-not-mean/) [Albert Camus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-camus/) > [“Joseph Ratzinger never developed his own theological system. As a theologian he took on what was there, discerned its essentials, situated it in relation…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-benedict-xvi/joseph-ratzinger-never-developed-his-own-theological-system-as-a/) [Pope Benedict XVI](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-benedict-xvi/) > [How can I create a better world? 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It takes courage to take this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-shorter/the-arts-can-open-the-door-to-the-imagination-pushing-the-envelope-of/) [Wayne Shorter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wayne-shorter/) > [Socialcam shares Autodesk's mission of helping everybody imagine, design, and create a better world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-seibel/socialcam-shares-autodesk-s-mission-of-helping-everybody-imagine/) [Michael Seibel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-seibel/) > [“We don't have a lot of choice about the world we live in. But we do have choices about our world-view. ... We read…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-wade-johnson/we-don-t-have-a-lot-of-choice-about-the-world-we-live-in-but-we-do/) [Kevin Wade Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-wade-johnson/) > [I believe there is another world waiting for us. A better world. And I'll be waiting for you there.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-mitchell/i-believe-there-is-another-world-waiting-for-us-a-better-world-and-i/) [David Mitchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-mitchell/) > [Can we make a better world for our children? I believe we can, if enough people are concerned and get involved in changing what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-spock/can-we-make-a-better-world-for-our-children-i-believe-we-can-if/) [Benjamin Spock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-spock/) [Browse all 606 Better world quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/better-world/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“To all my friends who constantly talk disparagingly about the supposed 'homosexual lifestyle' and stereotype gay people and the community, I'd like to get this straight. There are essentially two worlds – the 'gay scene' and the gay (or LGBTIQ) community. The 'scene' is like the tip of the iceberg; what is seen by others because it is visible on a street, suburb or pride parade. Like the ninety percent of the submerged iceberg, the community is larger and less visible. It consists of organisations, groups, support networks and also gay and lesbian singles and couples living 'normal' lives in the suburbs. Occasionally there is an overlap but not often. Some live, socialise and work in both. Many never enter each others worlds. The values, lifestyles and culture of these two worlds are as different as Asian culture is to western is to African is to Middle Eastern. Dig down even deeper below the surface and you find it is not a single community but diverse communities and subcultures that are separate but not necessarily divided. The common thing that binds them together is their experience of inequality, discrimination and their desire to make a better world for themselves, others and future generations. If you believe that all gays and lesbians are shallow and obsessed with sex, body image, partying, nightclubs and bars then you are obviously an observer from the outside or mixing in the wrong circles.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Anthony Venn-Brown" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-venn-brown/to-all-my-friends-who-constantly-talk-disparagingly-about-the/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Better world" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-venn-brown/to-all-my-friends-who-constantly-talk-disparagingly-about-the/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/77b/anthony-venn-brown-25652_better-world_to-all-my-friends-who-constantly-talk-di_2399370.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/77b/anthony-venn-brown-25652_better-world_to-all-my-friends-who-constantly-talk-di_2399370.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/77b/anthony-venn-brown-25652_better-world_to-all-my-friends-who-constantly-talk-di_2399370.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“To all my friends who constantly talk disparagingly about the supposed 'homosexual lifestyle' and stereotype…” — Anthony Venn-Brown", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Anthony Venn-Brown", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-venn-brown/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“To all my friends who constantly...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-venn-brown/to-all-my-friends-who-constantly-talk-disparagingly-about-the/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-venn-brown/to-all-my-friends-who-constantly-talk-disparagingly-about-the/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```