Association Quote by Armistead Maupin
“When I started writing Tales of the City I was one year away from being a mental illness. It wasn't until 1975 that the American Psychiatric Association took homosexuality off the list of mental illnesses - and in many states, including the state of North Carolina where I grew up, homosexuality was a crime. An arrestable crime. It still is, in many parts of the world.”
About This Quote
Source Memoir: "The Night Listener", 1998, personal reflection
Personal struggle with mental health stigma and societal prejudice; progress is uneven globally.
In simple terms: Stigma harms people; change is slow.
Key Takeaway
Advocate for LGBTQ+ rights.
Themes
identity
stigma
mental health
rights
Mood
reflective
empathetic
Type
personal
activist
When to use this quote
- therapy
- activism
- policy reform
- education
- public speaking
Key Concepts
social justice
psychology
law
cultural change
Questions to Reflect On
- What steps can individuals take to reduce stigma?
- How can allies support LGBTQ+ communities?
A Different Perspective
Legal and cultural resistance persists; change can be slow.
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