--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It isn't that it's questionable when you…" description: "\"It isn't that it's questionable when you speak up for the right of people with different sexual orientation. People took some part of us and used it to..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/407/desmond-tutu-442_cases_it-isn-t-that-it-s-questionable-when-you_705718.jpg" --- # It isn't that it's questionable when you speak up for the… ![“It isn't that it's questionable when you speak up for the right of people with different sexual orientation. People took some part of us and used it to discriminate against us. In our case, it was our ethnicity; it's precisely the same thing for sexual orientation. People are killed because…” quote by Desmond Tutu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/407/desmond-tutu-442_cases_it-isn-t-that-it-s-questionable-when-you_705718.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/407/desmond-tutu-442_cases_it-isn-t-that-it-s-questionable-when-you_705718.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/407/desmond-tutu-442_cases_it-isn-t-that-it-s-questionable-when-you_705718.jpg) > “It isn't that it's questionable when you speak up for the right of people with different sexual orientation. People took some part of us and used it to discriminate against us. In our case, it was our ethnicity; it's precisely the same thing for sexual orientation. People are killed because they're gay.” [Desmond Tutu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/desmond-tutu/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Advocates that discrimination based on sexual orientation mirrors ethnic discrimination, urging equal respect for all identities. **In simple terms:** Discrimination against gay people is similar to racism. Key Takeaway Stand up for equal rights. Themes human rights equality discrimination social justice Mood determined compassionate Type activist inspirational When to use this quote - activism - policy advocacy - community support - education campaigns Key Concepts intersectionality civil rights activism Questions to Reflect On - How does recognizing shared oppression change our response? - What actions can individuals take to combat both racism and homophobia? A Different Perspective Some may argue cultural or religious beliefs conflict with this view. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Cases](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cases/) [Different](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/different/) [Different Sexual](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/different-sexual-532230/) [Discriminate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/discriminate/) [Ethnicity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ethnicity/) [Gay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gay/) [Homosexuality](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/homosexuality/) [Killed Gay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/killed-gay-1302483/) [Orientation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/orientation/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Questionable](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/questionable/) [Sexual Orientation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sexual-orientation-282144/) [Speak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/speak/) [Used](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/used/) [Used Discriminate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/used-discriminate-4651185/) ## Related quotes > [People took some part of us and used it to discriminate against us. In our case, it was our ethnicity; it's precisely the same…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/desmond-tutu/people-took-some-part-of-us-and-used-it-to-discriminate-against-us-in/) [Desmond Tutu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/desmond-tutu/) > [People are killed because they're gay. I don't think, "What do I want to do today? I want to speak up on gay rights."…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/desmond-tutu/people-are-killed-because-they-re-gay-i-don-t-think-what-do-i-want-to/) [Desmond Tutu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/desmond-tutu/) > [“men and women perform a different sexual calculus. As Harper’s put it perfectly: “Women are inclined to regret the sex they had, and men…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christian-rudder/men-and-women-perform-a-different-sexual-calculus-as-harper-s-put-it/) [Christian Rudder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christian-rudder/) > [It was a different sexual situation going on than it is in the '80s and '90s, and I did a very poor job of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wilt-chamberlain/it-was-a-different-sexual-situation-going-on-than-it-is-in-the-80s/) [Wilt Chamberlain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wilt-chamberlain/) > [It is a tragedy, I feel, that people of a different sexual type are caught in a world which shows so little understanding for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emma-goldman/it-is-a-tragedy-i-feel-that-people-of-a-different-sexual-type-are/) [Emma Goldman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emma-goldman/) > [“Since, beginning with the same premise and examining the same body of anthropological evidence, she now arrives at a slightly different sexual role for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/betty-friedan/since-beginning-with-the-same-premise-and-examining-the-same-body-of/) [Betty Friedan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/betty-friedan/) > [“If one starts with the anatomical difference, which even a patriarchal Viennese novelist was able to see was destiny, then one begins to understand…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gore-vidal/if-one-starts-with-the-anatomical-difference-which-even-a-patriarchal/) [Gore Vidal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gore-vidal/) > [Ultimately, the wisest course for anybody who's afflicted with same-gender attraction is to strive to extend one's horizon beyond just one's sexual orientation, one's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lance-b-wickman/ultimately-the-wisest-course-for-anybody-who-s-afflicted-with-same/) [Lance B. Wickman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lance-b-wickman/) > [“If your organization is not formally committed to a policy of nondiscrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression or gender presentation…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kimberly-d-acquaviva/if-your-organization-is-not-formally-committed-to-a-policy-of/) [Kimberly D. Acquaviva](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kimberly-d-acquaviva/) > [I think everyone is bi, right? There's no such thing as sexual orientation, or race, or gender. Those are all obsolete man-made concepts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-andre/i-think-everyone-is-bi-right-there-s-no-such-thing-as-sexual/) [Eric Andre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-andre/) > [We don't really know where human sexual orientations come from yet. What we do know is that the evidence we have that sexual orientation…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-dreger/we-don-t-really-know-where-human-sexual-orientations-come-from-yet/) [Alice Dreger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-dreger/) > [You shouldn't face discrimination because of your sexual orientation. That should be illegal.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-gjelten/you-shouldn-t-face-discrimination-because-of-your-sexual-orientation/) [Tom Gjelten](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-gjelten/) > [I don't see why we should alienate anyone, regardless of sexual orientation, nationality, religion, ethnicity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/finn-balor/i-don-t-see-why-we-should-alienate-anyone-regardless-of-sexual/) [Finn Balor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/finn-balor/) > [I believe that those who promote discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or any other grounds are gravely mistaken about the values that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-clinton/i-believe-that-those-who-promote-discrimination-on-the-basis-of/) [Bill Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-clinton/) > [You're on Facebook, and you're supposed to know your sexual orientation at 13... Nobody really knows what's going on at that time, and people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-cameron-mitchell/you-re-on-facebook-and-you-re-supposed-to-know-your-sexual/) [John Cameron Mitchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-cameron-mitchell/) ## More by Desmond Tutu > [Each of us is precious to God because each of us has their name written on the palms of God's hands. And God says…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/desmond-tutu/each-of-us-is-precious-to-god-because-each-of-us-has-their-name/) [Desmond Tutu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/desmond-tutu/) > [Freedom and liberty lose out by default because good people are not vigilant.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/desmond-tutu/freedom-and-liberty-lose-out-by-default-because-good-people-are-not/) [Desmond Tutu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/desmond-tutu/) > [We shall be free only together, black and white. We shall survive only together, black and white. We can be human only together, black…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/desmond-tutu/we-shall-be-free-only-together-black-and-white-we-shall-survive-only/) [Desmond Tutu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/desmond-tutu/) > [Many people would be surprised that, in fact, I'm quite shy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/desmond-tutu/many-people-would-be-surprised-that-in-fact-i-m-quite-shy/) [Desmond Tutu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/desmond-tutu/) > [Too many people think that reconciliation means you soft-pedal differences.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/desmond-tutu/too-many-people-think-that-reconciliation-means-you-soft-pedal/) [Desmond Tutu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/desmond-tutu/) > [Our Christian faith is actually very subversive of the conventional notion of success - the notion that what invests a person with worth is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/desmond-tutu/our-christian-faith-is-actually-very-subversive-of-the-conventional/) [Desmond Tutu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/desmond-tutu/) > [Every situation of justice is an occasion where someone is being humiliated and they want to restore their dignity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/desmond-tutu/every-situation-of-justice-is-an-occasion-where-someone-is-being/) [Desmond Tutu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/desmond-tutu/) > [Race should not be used to claim privileges and rights for one group, exclusively, which are denied other different groups. Then that is an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/desmond-tutu/race-should-not-be-used-to-claim-privileges-and-rights-for-one-group/) [Desmond Tutu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/desmond-tutu/) > [People are able to justify immense cruelty and say that it is something that is sanctioned by their faith.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/desmond-tutu/people-are-able-to-justify-immense-cruelty-and-say-that-it-is/) [Desmond Tutu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/desmond-tutu/) > [South Africa, so utterly improbably, is a beacon of hope in a dark and troubled world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/desmond-tutu/south-africa-so-utterly-improbably-is-a-beacon-of-hope-in-a-dark-and/) [Desmond Tutu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/desmond-tutu/) > [I don't often want to speak. I try to be a reasonable person and to be diplomatic, but you go to that place and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/desmond-tutu/i-don-t-often-want-to-speak-i-try-to-be-a-reasonable-person-and-to-be/) [Desmond Tutu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/desmond-tutu/) > [“child of God, known by name and whose very hairs are numbered. Praise and adore God and thank him for ever and ever. Amen.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/desmond-tutu/child-of-god-known-by-name-and-whose-very-hairs-are-numbered-praise/) [Desmond Tutu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/desmond-tutu/) > [To remain neutral in situations of injustice is to be complicit in that injustice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/desmond-tutu/to-remain-neutral-in-situations-of-injustice-is-to-be-complicit-in/) [Desmond Tutu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/desmond-tutu/) > [It's a fantastic thing that from moment to the next moment if God were to have stopped for a split second we would disintegrate…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/desmond-tutu/it-s-a-fantastic-thing-that-from-moment-to-the-next-moment-if-god/) [Desmond Tutu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/desmond-tutu/) > [Once lost, trust can only be regained if we are as good as our word.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/desmond-tutu/once-lost-trust-can-only-be-regained-if-we-are-as-good-as-our-word/) [Desmond Tutu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/desmond-tutu/) [Explore all 558 Desmond Tutu quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/desmond-tutu/) ## More Cases quotes > [The time that one gains cannot be accumulated in a storehouse; it is contradictory to want to save up existence, which, the fact is,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simone-de-beauvoir/the-time-that-one-gains-cannot-be-accumulated-in-a-storehouse-it-is/) [Simone de Beauvoir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simone-de-beauvoir/) > [It can sometimes make people fold into themselves and kind of run away, but I think in this case these characters are being forced…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-deschanel/it-can-sometimes-make-people-fold-into-themselves-and-kind-of-run/) [Emily Deschanel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-deschanel/) > [I'd always have grease in at least two places, in case the umpires would ask me to wipe one off. I never wanted to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gaylord-perry/i-d-always-have-grease-in-at-least-two-places-in-case-the-umpires/) [Gaylord Perry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gaylord-perry/) > [Islam never differentiates between men and women as regards political rights and puts them on an equal footing. However, even if a woman is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yusuf-al-qaradawi/islam-never-differentiates-between-men-and-women-as-regards-political/) [Yusuf al-Qaradawi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yusuf-al-qaradawi/) > [You gonna take the case?" It's not a case. It's a missing person. Sort of." You're gonna have a devil of a time finding…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janet-evanovich/you-gonna-take-the-case-it-s-not-a-case-it-s-a-missing-person-sort-of/) [Janet Evanovich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janet-evanovich/) > [I think we've all had enough of Coltrane saxophonists. 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