--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The culmination of a long struggle was…" description: "\"The culmination of a long struggle was 2013, which could clearly be labeled the Year of the Gay. State after state had legalized gay marriage, despite ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/17d/edmund-white-2376_after_the-culmination-of-a-long-struggle-was-2_2986784.png" --- # The culmination of a long struggle was 2013, which could… ![“The culmination of a long struggle was 2013, which could clearly be labeled the Year of the Gay. State after state had legalized gay marriage, despite intense opposition from the religious right.” quote by Edmund White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/17d/edmund-white-2376_after_the-culmination-of-a-long-struggle-was-2_2986784.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/17d/edmund-white-2376_after_the-culmination-of-a-long-struggle-was-2_2986784.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/17d/edmund-white-2376_after_the-culmination-of-a-long-struggle-was-2_2986784.png) > “The culmination of a long struggle was 2013, which could clearly be labeled the Year of the Gay. State after state had legalized gay marriage, despite intense opposition from the religious right.” [Edmund White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edmund-white/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The quote reflects on 2013 as a landmark year when many states legalized gay marriage, marking progress despite opposition. **In simple terms:** 2013 marked major gay marriage wins despite resistance. Key Takeaway Celebrate progress while continuing advocacy. Themes LGBTQ rights social change legal milestones Mood hopeful determined Type historical inspirational When to use this quote - activism - policy advocacy - community events - personal storytelling Key Concepts Equality civil rights cultural shift Questions to Reflect On - How can allies support ongoing LGBTQ battles? - What steps ensure lasting legal protections? A Different Perspective Opposition remains strong in many regions, limiting full acceptance. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Culmination](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/culmination/) [Gay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gay/) [Gay marriage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gay-marriage/) [Intense](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/intense/) [Marriage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/marriage/) [Opposition](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/opposition/) [Religious](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religious/) [Religious right](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religious-right/) [Struggle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/struggle/) ## Related quotes > [I was at Yale from 1953 to 1957, and I tried to commit suicide in my freshman year because I was gay, and I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/larry-kramer/i-was-at-yale-from-1953-to-1957-and-i-tried-to-commit-suicide-in-my/) [Larry Kramer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/larry-kramer/) > [The wedding took place in Vermont, where they have legalized gay civil unions, and I married a woman.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-ferguson/the-wedding-took-place-in-vermont-where-they-have-legalized-gay-civil/) [Craig Ferguson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-ferguson/) > [In a landmark decision, New York has legalized gay marriage. In other news, Batman and Robin announced that theyre moving to Manhattan.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-biggs/in-a-landmark-decision-new-york-has-legalized-gay-marriage-in-other/) Terry Biggs > [...even if gay marriage were legalized there would still be gay men who didn't want to marry, gay men no other gay men would…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-savage/even-if-gay-marriage-were-legalized-there-would-still-be-gay-men-who/) [Dan Savage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-savage/) > [I don't want to be labeled as a stunt junkie or a daredevil.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/travis-pastrana/i-don-t-want-to-be-labeled-as-a-stunt-junkie-or-a-daredevil/) [Travis Pastrana](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/travis-pastrana/) > [We are all people... don't label me as an LGBT rapper or a female rapper... I don't like to be labeled.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/young-m-a/we-are-all-people-don-t-label-me-as-an-lgbt-rapper-or-a-female-rapper/) [Young M.A](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/young-m-a/) > [I've been labeled all my life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/corey-feldman/i-ve-been-labeled-all-my-life/) [Corey Feldman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/corey-feldman/) > [I've always been labeled... people think things are handed to me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/glenn-gronkowski/i-ve-always-been-labeled-people-think-things-are-handed-to-me/) [Glenn Gronkowski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/glenn-gronkowski/) > [“It’s labeled ‘Top Secret Codes.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stuart-gibbs/it-s-labeled-top-secret-codes/) [Stuart Gibbs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stuart-gibbs/) > [There are any number of very hard working people in Hollywood who deserve recognition. Mostly its the artisans and crafts persons - the 'below…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ridley/there-are-any-number-of-very-hard-working-people-in-hollywood-who/) [John Ridley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ridley/) > [I hate being labeled, you don't know me so stop judging me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-hate-being-labeled-you-don-t-know-me-so-stop-judging-me/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I've never, ever labeled myself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mika/i-ve-never-ever-labeled-myself/) [Mika](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mika/) > [The will to label will always prevail over what's being labeled, usually at the expense of either truth or understanding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/boyd-rice/the-will-to-label-will-always-prevail-over-what-s-being-labeled/) [Boyd Rice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/boyd-rice/) > [I hate being labeled, I hate people who think they know me when they don't even know the half.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-hate-being-labeled-i-hate-people-who-think-they-know-me-when-they/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Sometimes labeling is only useful, like with OCD. Once you're labeled you can be treated. On other occasions labeling leads to tyranny, like with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-ronson/sometimes-labeling-is-only-useful-like-with-ocd-once-you-re-labeled/) [Jon Ronson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-ronson/) ## More by Edmund White > [The talk shows in the States want celebrities, not authors. In France, it is different; writers are called upon to comment on everything. They…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edmund-white/the-talk-shows-in-the-states-want-celebrities-not-authors-in-france/) [Edmund White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edmund-white/) > [Just like Barack Obama, my views on gay marriage have evolved, and now I am a reluctant groom.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edmund-white/just-like-barack-obama-my-views-on-gay-marriage-have-evolved-and-now/) [Edmund White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edmund-white/) > [In 'A Boy's Own Story' and 'Jack Holmes and His Friend,' my idea was to take someone totally different from my real self and,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edmund-white/in-a-boy-s-own-story-and-jack-holmes-and-his-friend-my-idea-was-to/) [Edmund White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edmund-white/) > [Everyone seems agreed that writing about sex is perilous, partly because it threatens to swamp highly individualised characters in a generic, featureless activity (much…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edmund-white/everyone-seems-agreed-that-writing-about-sex-is-perilous-partly/) [Edmund White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edmund-white/) > ['The Sound of Things Falling' may be a page turner, but it's also a deep meditation on fate and death. Even in translation, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edmund-white/the-sound-of-things-falling-may-be-a-page-turner-but-it-s-also-a-deep/) [Edmund White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edmund-white/) > [If you're a beach person or a golfer, Key West is not for you. Most of the sand has been imported, and the water…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edmund-white/if-you-re-a-beach-person-or-a-golfer-key-west-is-not-for-you-most-of/) [Edmund White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edmund-white/) > [First, I was opposed to gay marriage because it seemed like one more way that gays were wanting to assimilate. When I realized the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edmund-white/first-i-was-opposed-to-gay-marriage-because-it-seemed-like-one-more/) [Edmund White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edmund-white/) > [From my mother I learned just how violent and unquenchable a woman's loneliness can be. She had been sheltered excessively by her husband and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edmund-white/from-my-mother-i-learned-just-how-violent-and-unquenchable-a-woman-s/) [Edmund White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edmund-white/) > [From an early age, I had the idea that writing was truth-telling. It's on the record. Everybody can see it. Maybe it goes back…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edmund-white/from-an-early-age-i-had-the-idea-that-writing-was-truth-telling-it-s/) [Edmund White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edmund-white/) > [Since, in the best Southern tradition, I was named Edmund Valentine White III, sometimes when people look up my books on Amazon they find…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edmund-white/since-in-the-best-southern-tradition-i-was-named-edmund-valentine/) [Edmund White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edmund-white/) > [When I was young, I despised old people. I was provincial and narrow-minded. It's the reason I stayed stupid so long. If you only…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edmund-white/when-i-was-young-i-despised-old-people-i-was-provincial-and-narrow/) [Edmund White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edmund-white/) > [Key West is the place where your sickly house plant back in New York grows to 10 ft. It's also the place where an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edmund-white/key-west-is-the-place-where-your-sickly-house-plant-back-in-new-york/) [Edmund White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edmund-white/) > [“In the past, when gays were very flamboyant as drag queens or as leather queens or whatever, that just amused people. And most of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edmund-white/in-the-past-when-gays-were-very-flamboyant-as-drag-queens-or-as/) [Edmund White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edmund-white/) > [When a woman falls in love with me, I feel guilty. I am convinced that it's pure obstinacy that keeps me from reciprocating her…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edmund-white/when-a-woman-falls-in-love-with-me-i-feel-guilty-i-am-convinced-that/) [Edmund White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edmund-white/) > [While writing 'City Boy,' I relied mainly on my own memories. In particular, I was able to describe the effect of gay liberation on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edmund-white/while-writing-city-boy-i-relied-mainly-on-my-own-memories-in/) [Edmund White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edmund-white/) [Explore all 166 Edmund White quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edmund-white/) ## More After quotes > [At the drop of a hat, people will say there are no roles for women after 40. It's there with a bunch of other…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lesley-nicol/at-the-drop-of-a-hat-people-will-say-there-are-no-roles-for-women/) [Lesley Nicol](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lesley-nicol/) > [When my main character in 'Heat' climbs the tower, the highest diving platform, hoping to resume competitive diving after an injury, I am there…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-cadnum/when-my-main-character-in-heat-climbs-the-tower-the-highest-diving/) [Michael Cadnum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-cadnum/) > [I was strictly after hits when it came down to the Jackson 5. That's all I was concerned with.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deke-richards/i-was-strictly-after-hits-when-it-came-down-to-the-jackson-5-that-s/) Deke Richards > [It's important for American soldiers to be culturally sensitive when deployed in foreign countries. But it's just as important for the U.S. never to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-bauer/it-s-important-for-american-soldiers-to-be-culturally-sensitive-when/) [Gary Bauer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-bauer/) > [No lusting after your neighbor's house - or wife or servant or maid or ox or donkey. Don't set your heart on anything that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/moses/no-lusting-after-your-neighbor-s-house-or-wife-or-servant-or-maid-or/) [Moses](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/moses/) > [After I finished college, I got a job on Wall Street as a derivatives trader, but after a couple years of it, I was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philipp-meyer/after-i-finished-college-i-got-a-job-on-wall-street-as-a-derivatives/) [Philipp Meyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philipp-meyer/) > [When good media takes a bounded form, and comes once in a period of time, it begs to be consumed as a whole -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-battelle/when-good-media-takes-a-bounded-form-and-comes-once-in-a-period-of/) [John Battelle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-battelle/) > [Markets are designed to allow individuals to look after their private needs and to pursue profit. It's really a great invention and I wouldn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-soros/markets-are-designed-to-allow-individuals-to-look-after-their-private/) [George Soros](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-soros/) > [I have a lot of success and make a good living, but after while, you start going 'Why? Why are you doing all this?'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tyra-banks/i-have-a-lot-of-success-and-make-a-good-living-but-after-while-you/) [Tyra Banks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tyra-banks/) > [See to do good, and you will find that happiness will run after you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-freeman-clarke/see-to-do-good-and-you-will-find-that-happiness-will-run-after-you/) [James Freeman Clarke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-freeman-clarke/) > [I went to school at night in L.A. to brush up on my engineering while I applied to the astronaut program. I really did…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mae-jemison/i-went-to-school-at-night-in-l-a-to-brush-up-on-my-engineering-while/) [Mae Jemison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mae-jemison/) > [Sometimes after a compliment about my characterization skills, I'm asked if I model my characters on real people. Emphatically, no. And sort of, yes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brent-weeks/sometimes-after-a-compliment-about-my-characterization-skills-i-m/) [Brent Weeks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brent-weeks/) > [After The Wizard Of Oz I was typecast as a lion, and there aren't all that many parts for lions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bert-lahr/after-the-wizard-of-oz-i-was-typecast-as-a-lion-and-there-aren-t-all/) Bert Lahr > [I'm pretty cautious and not very athletic, so I've only had really dumb injuries, like sprained ankles and allergic reactions. I did have to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mara-wilson/i-m-pretty-cautious-and-not-very-athletic-so-i-ve-only-had-really/) [Mara Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mara-wilson/) > [I'd like an omelet named after me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rufus-sewell/i-d-like-an-omelet-named-after-me/) [Rufus Sewell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rufus-sewell/) Browse all 3,411 After quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The culmination of a long struggle was 2013, which could clearly be labeled the Year of the Gay. State after state had legalized gay marriage, despite intense opposition from the religious right.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Edmund White" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edmund-white/the-culmination-of-a-long-struggle-was-2013-which-could-clearly-be/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "After" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edmund-white/the-culmination-of-a-long-struggle-was-2013-which-could-clearly-be/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/17d/edmund-white-2376_after_the-culmination-of-a-long-struggle-was-2_2986784.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/17d/edmund-white-2376_after_the-culmination-of-a-long-struggle-was-2_2986784.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/17d/edmund-white-2376_after_the-culmination-of-a-long-struggle-was-2_2986784.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“The culmination of a long struggle was 2013, which could clearly be labeled the Year of the Gay. State after…” — Edmund White", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Edmund White", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edmund-white/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "The culmination of a long struggle...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edmund-white/the-culmination-of-a-long-struggle-was-2013-which-could-clearly-be/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edmund-white/the-culmination-of-a-long-struggle-was-2013-which-could-clearly-be/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```