“As a teenager, I had to struggle alone to learn about myself and what it meant to be gay. Now for [48] years I've had the satisfaction of working with other gay people all across the country to get the bigots off our backs, to oil the closet door hinges, to change prejudiced hearts and minds, and to show that gay love is good for us and for the rest of the world too. It's hard work---but it's vital, and it's gratifying, and it's often fun!”
![“As a teenager, I had to struggle alone to learn about myself and what it meant to be gay. Now for [48] years I've had the satisfaction of working with other gay people all across the country to get the bigots off our backs, to oil the closet door hinges, to change prejudiced hearts and minds, and…” quote by Barbara Gittings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/f22/barbara-gittings-60378_bigots_as-a-teenager-i-had-to-struggle-alone-to_2896022.jpg)
![“Putting a label [homosexual] on myself was a big step forward...once I said, 'Yes, that's me, that's what I am,' I was able to work with it.” quote by Barbara Gittings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/6f2/barbara-gittings-60378_able_putting-a-label-homosexual-on-myself-was_423091.jpg)
