Customs Quote by Cheryl Clarke
![“Heterosexuality is a die-hard custom through which male-supremacist institutions insure their own perpetuity and control over us. Women are kept, maintained and contained through terror, violence, and the spray of semen...[Lesbianism is] an ideological, political and philosophical means of…” quote by Cheryl Clarke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/71d/cheryl-clarke-66010_customs_heterosexuality-is-a-die-hard-custom-thr_1105346.jpg)
“Heterosexuality is a die-hard custom through which male-supremacist institutions insure their own perpetuity and control over us. Women are kept, maintained and contained through terror, violence, and the spray of semen...[Lesbianism is] an ideological, political and philosophical means of liberation of all women from heterosexual tyranny...”
About This Quote
Patriarchal societies enforce heterosexual norms to maintain male dominance, while lesbianism offers a pathway to women's liberation from that oppression.
In simple terms: Heterosexual norms sustain male power; lesbianism can free women.
Key Takeaway
Question and challenge gendered power structures.
Themes
gender
power
liberation
Mood
critical
reflective
Type
philosophical
political
When to use this quote
- activism
- education
- policy reform
- community building
Key Concepts
feminist theory
social control
sexual politics
Questions to Reflect On
- How can allies support dismantling these norms?
- What role does sexuality play in personal freedom?
A Different Perspective
Not all individuals experience oppression uniformly; intersectionality matters.
