Gay Quote by Dustin Lance Black
“To be gay means you are drawn to the same sex. You can be gay and abstinent. But it's a part of who you are, an identity, not an act.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: LGBTQ+ Identity, Dustin Lance Black, 2015
Sexual orientation is an inherent identity, distinct from behavior, and can exist without sexual activity.
In simple terms: Orientation is identity, not action.
Key Takeaway
Respect identity regardless of behavior.
Themes
identity
LGBTQ+
sexuality
Mood
empathetic
advocacy
Type
social
educational
When to use this quote
- counseling
- policy making
- personal storytelling
Key Concepts
social theory
human rights
Questions to Reflect On
- How can society separate identity from actions?
- What supports affirming identity without pressure?
A Different Perspective
Some may conflate identity with behavior.
![“That is another theme in the book [Dreams from My Father]. How do we exercise more empathy in our public discourse? How do we get the black to see through the eyes of the white? Or the citizen to see through the eyes of the immigrant? Or the straight to see through the eyes of the gay? That has…” quote by Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/00d/barack-obama-17_black_that-is-another-theme-in-the-book-dreams_10185.jpg)
