--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Why did mainstream America come to accept…" description: "\"Why did mainstream America come to accept marriage equality? Gay leaders had made a convincing case that gay families were like straight families and s..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bfc/edmund-white-2376_accept_why-did-mainstream-america-come-to-accep_2056922.png" --- # Why did mainstream America come to accept marriage… ![“Why did mainstream America come to accept marriage equality? Gay leaders had made a convincing case that gay families were like straight families and should have the same rights. The American spirit of fair play had been invoked.” quote by Edmund White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bfc/edmund-white-2376_accept_why-did-mainstream-america-come-to-accep_2056922.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bfc/edmund-white-2376_accept_why-did-mainstream-america-come-to-accep_2056922.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bfc/edmund-white-2376_accept_why-did-mainstream-america-come-to-accep_2056922.png) > “Why did mainstream America come to accept marriage equality? Gay leaders had made a convincing case that gay families were like straight families and should have the same rights. The American spirit of fair play had been invoked.” [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. Mainstream America accepted marriage equality after gay leaders showed families were similar to straight ones, appealing to fairness and shared values. **In simple terms:** Equality accepted when families look alike and fairness is invoked. Key Takeaway Advocate for equal rights. Themes equality rights fairness social change Mood hopeful determined Type inspirational activist When to use this quote - policy debates - community outreach - media campaigns - legal challenges Key Concepts civil rights public opinion political advocacy Questions to Reflect On - How can we further reduce prejudice? - What role does media play in shaping acceptance? A Different Perspective Some still oppose equality on religious grounds. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [America](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/america/) [American spirit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/american-spirit/) [Equality](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/equality/) [Fair](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fair/) [Fair play](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fair-play/) [Families](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/families/) [Family](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/family/) [Gay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gay/) [Leaders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/leaders/) [Mainstream](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mainstream/) [Marriage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/marriage/) [Marriage equality](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/marriage-equality/) [Play](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/play/) [Rights](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rights/) [Spirit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/spirit/) ## Related quotes > [“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/) > [I'm personally supportive of marriage equality for gay couples and I believe that it will happen over time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-schmidt/i-m-personally-supportive-of-marriage-equality-for-gay-couples-and-i/) [Steve Schmidt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-schmidt/) > [Gay people, certainly gay people of my generation, at least of a certain echelon - middle-class Americans - have binocular vision. We all are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-mendelsohn/gay-people-certainly-gay-people-of-my-generation-at-least-of-a/) [Daniel Mendelsohn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-mendelsohn/) > [Yes, gay marriage is about symbolically blessing a relationship, but the larger issue is about transmitting a fundamental message about equality. Gay people should…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-radcliffe/yes-gay-marriage-is-about-symbolically-blessing-a-relationship-but/) [Daniel Radcliffe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-radcliffe/) > [Any government I lead will continue with the equality of gay and lesbian people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-cameron/any-government-i-lead-will-continue-with-the-equality-of-gay-and/) [David Cameron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-cameron/) > [House passes #dadt (don't ask don't tell) repeal. A step fwd on equality 4 gay Americans in military. History will judge those who tried…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-pallone/house-passes-dadt-don-t-ask-don-t-tell-repeal-a-step-fwd-on-equality/) Frank Pallone > [Our society needs to recognize the unstoppable momentum toward unequivocal civil equality for every gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered citizen of this country.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zachary-quinto/our-society-needs-to-recognize-the-unstoppable-momentum-toward/) [Zachary Quinto](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zachary-quinto/) > [More and more people support equality for their gay friends and neighbors, and that is not because the 'Duck Dynasty' guy almost lost his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-lovett/more-and-more-people-support-equality-for-their-gay-friends-and/) [Jon Lovett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-lovett/) > [Baseball is the exponent of American Courage, Confidence, Combativeness, American Dash, Discipline, Determination, American Energy, Eagerness, Enthusiasm, American Pluck, Persistency, Performance, American Spirit, Sagacity,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-goodwill-spalding/baseball-is-the-exponent-of-american-courage-confidence-combativeness/) Albert Goodwill Spalding > [“The funeral was a vast, elaborate affair, befitting a monarch or head of state, in marked contrast to the essential simplicity of the man…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ron-chernow/the-funeral-was-a-vast-elaborate-affair-befitting-a-monarch-or-head/) [Ron Chernow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ron-chernow/) > [Together, let us make this a new beginning. Let us make a commitment to care for the needy, to teach our children the values…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-reagan/together-let-us-make-this-a-new-beginning-let-us-make-a-commitment-to/) [Ronald Reagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-reagan/) > [This country of ours has more wealth than any nation, but that's not what makes us rich. We have the most powerful military on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/this-country-of-ours-has-more-wealth-than-any-nation-but-that-s-not/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [When I hit around 65, 66, I started to feel tremendous worth and incredible personal esteem. I was becoming very cognisant of my contribution…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-lewis/when-i-hit-around-65-66-i-started-to-feel-tremendous-worth-and/) [Jerry Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-lewis/) > [The American spirit wears no political label. In service to others and yes, in sacrifice for our country, there are no Republicans; there are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-american-spirit-wears-no-political-label-in-service-to-others-and/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“And so, my fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country” that they summoned…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-a-caro/and-so-my-fellow-americans-ask-not-what-your-country-can-do-for-you/) [Robert A. Caro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-a-caro/) ## 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. 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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 Accept quotes > [If we accept being talked to any kind of a way, then we are telling ourselves we are not quite worth the best. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maya-angelou/if-we-accept-being-talked-to-any-kind-of-a-way-then-we-are-telling/) [Maya Angelou](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maya-angelou/) > [The shelves of many evangelicals are full of books that point out the flaws in evolution, discuss it only as a theory, and almost…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-collins/the-shelves-of-many-evangelicals-are-full-of-books-that-point-out-the/) [Francis Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-collins/) > [The fans can accept a poor performance, but they won't take it when you choose not to put in the effort.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pep-guardiola/the-fans-can-accept-a-poor-performance-but-they-won-t-take-it-when/) [Pep Guardiola](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pep-guardiola/) > [“See, I know what they think about me. That I’m some project. And, yeah, I’ll accept their help. But I’m gonna pay my way.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kirsty-eagar/see-i-know-what-they-think-about-me-that-i-m-some-project-and-yeah-i/) [Kirsty Eagar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kirsty-eagar/) > [If you're disabled or different from what general society deems normal, it's fine. There will always be people who won't accept you, but there…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/millicent-simmonds/if-you-re-disabled-or-different-from-what-general-society-deems/) [Millicent Simmonds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/millicent-simmonds/) > [Things don't go on forever, and the quicker you accept that change is inevitable, the happier you're gonna be.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/trey-anastasio/things-don-t-go-on-forever-and-the-quicker-you-accept-that-change-is/) [Trey Anastasio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/trey-anastasio/) > [It's very important to me that people accept me as a transgendered female. But it's ridiculous to a lot of people and I understand…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexis-arquette/it-s-very-important-to-me-that-people-accept-me-as-a-transgendered/) [Alexis Arquette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexis-arquette/) > [I've always taken care of myself, and I'm a non-conformist, so I don't accept the negativity that comes with birthdays.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rob-van-dam/i-ve-always-taken-care-of-myself-and-i-m-a-non-conformist-so-i-don-t/) [Rob Van Dam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rob-van-dam/) > [Not harder than it should be, no. We're about the business, we're about the work. It's all about the work, always. We have fun…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antoine-fuqua/not-harder-than-it-should-be-no-we-re-about-the-business-we-re-about/) [Antoine Fuqua](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antoine-fuqua/) > [I wish I could just accept that I'm not that good and not be shy about the fact that I'm not that professional.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlotte-gainsbourg/i-wish-i-could-just-accept-that-i-m-not-that-good-and-not-be-shy/) [Charlotte Gainsbourg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlotte-gainsbourg/) > [I cannot accept being silent in the face of injustice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jasmine-crockett/i-cannot-accept-being-silent-in-the-face-of-injustice/) [Jasmine Crockett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jasmine-crockett/) > [“I hope there is less stigma and judgment against working moms and childless career women. 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