--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Before the word gay had really been…" description: "\"Before the word gay had really been invented, was there's no such thing. Only a country, basically as mindless about these matters - based upon our pea..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b05/gore-vidal-466_categories_before-the-word-gay-had-really-been-inve_1830362.jpg" --- # Before the word gay had really been invented, was there's… ![“Before the word gay had really been invented, was there's no such thing. Only a country, basically as mindless about these matters - based upon our peasant superstitions, religious superstitions - would they make categories. Everybody's everything.” quote by Gore Vidal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b05/gore-vidal-466_categories_before-the-word-gay-had-really-been-inve_1830362.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b05/gore-vidal-466_categories_before-the-word-gay-had-really-been-inve_1830362.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b05/gore-vidal-466_categories_before-the-word-gay-had-really-been-inve_1830362.jpg) > “Before the word gay had really been invented, was there's no such thing. Only a country, basically as mindless about these matters - based upon our peasant superstitions, religious superstitions - would they make categories. Everybody's everything.” [Gore Vidal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gore-vidal/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. He critiques labeling people, arguing that categories like “gay” are social constructs imposed by rigid societies. **In simple terms:** Labels are social constructs imposed by rigid societies. Key Takeaway Question the usefulness of strict categories. Themes identity social constructs freedom Mood thoughtful critical Type philosophical social When to use this quote - political discourse - personal identity - social activism Key Concepts categorization sexuality cultural norms Questions to Reflect On - Do labels help or hinder understanding? - How can societies become more inclusive? A Different Perspective Overlooking individual self‑identification. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Categories](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/categories/) [Categories Everybody](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/categories-everybody-2269277/) [Country](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/country/) [Country Basically](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/country-basically-1194580/) [Gay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gay/) [Gay Really](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gay-really-2269276/) [Homosexuality](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/homosexuality/) [Invented Thing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/invented-thing-2269278/) [Matter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/matter/) [Mindless](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mindless/) [Peasants](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/peasants/) [Religious](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religious/) [Superstitions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/superstitions/) [Word Gay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/word-gay-864713/) ## Related quotes > [I never fantasized or invented a thing, not one thing. I knew every single thing I ever wrote about.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marguerite-young/i-never-fantasized-or-invented-a-thing-not-one-thing-i-knew-every/) [Marguerite Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marguerite-young/) > [I think if you live in a country, basically you share the dominant values of a country although you may disagree on issues all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-temple/i-think-if-you-live-in-a-country-basically-you-share-the-dominant/) [Peter Temple](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-temple/) > [You know, the country is basically peaceful.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-bremer/you-know-the-country-is-basically-peaceful/) [Paul Bremer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-bremer/) > [I am very annoyed about this issue. Why can’t it be a choice? Why is that any less legitimate? It seems we’re just ceding…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cynthia-nixon/i-am-very-annoyed-about-this-issue-why-can-t-it-be-a-choice-why-is/) [Cynthia Nixon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cynthia-nixon/) > [I’m just going to say I’m not gay. I really, really like women.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-rodgers/i-m-just-going-to-say-i-m-not-gay-i-really-really-like-women/) [Aaron Rodgers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-rodgers/) > [I'm just going to say I'm not gay. I really, really like women. That's all I can really say about that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-rodgers/i-m-just-going-to-say-i-m-not-gay-i-really-really-like-women-that-s/) [Aaron Rodgers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-rodgers/) > [My mom asked me one day at lunch in a very lovely and respectful way. I was finally comfortable enough to say yes, I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-levy/my-mom-asked-me-one-day-at-lunch-in-a-very-lovely-and-respectful-way/) [Dan Levy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-levy/) > [I don't believe in straight or gay. I really don't. I think we're all degrees of bisexual.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rita-mae-brown/i-don-t-believe-in-straight-or-gay-i-really-don-t-i-think-we-re-all/) [Rita Mae Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rita-mae-brown/) > [My style, I'd definitely describe as athleisure with a twist of gay, which I really, really live for.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-charles/my-style-i-d-definitely-describe-as-athleisure-with-a-twist-of-gay/) [James Charles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-charles/) > [I just didn't like the word 'gay.' I still don't like it. It's a dumb way of describing sexuality. I like 'queer' or other…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-feinstein/i-just-didn-t-like-the-word-gay-i-still-don-t-like-it-it-s-a-dumb-way/) [Michael Feinstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-feinstein/) > [Words can mean different things to different people. It is important to understand what people mean when they use a certain word. Let's make…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ali-sina/words-can-mean-different-things-to-different-people-it-is-important/) [Ali Sina](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ali-sina/) > [Using the word 'gay' as a euphemism for homosexual is fine I guess. But I've always thought a word like 'fabulous' might have been…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-greer/using-the-word-gay-as-a-euphemism-for-homosexual-is-fine-i-guess-but/) [Michael Greer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-greer/) > [Don't use the word gay unless it's an acronym for GAY (Got Aids Yet?) .](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-dornan/don-t-use-the-word-gay-unless-it-s-an-acronym-for-gay-got-aids-yet/) [Bob Dornan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-dornan/) > [Young people can sometimes use language either thoughtlessly or deliberately, particularly around the use of the word 'gay.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicky-morgan/young-people-can-sometimes-use-language-either-thoughtlessly-or/) [Nicky Morgan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicky-morgan/) > [Gay life in 1970 was very bleak, compartmentalized. You didn't take it to work. You had to really lead a double life. There were…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/larry-kramer/gay-life-in-1970-was-very-bleak-compartmentalized-you-didn-t-take-it/) [Larry Kramer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/larry-kramer/) ## More by Gore Vidal > [There is only one party in the United States, the Property Party...and it has two right wings: Republican and Democrat. Republicans are a bit…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gore-vidal/there-is-only-one-party-in-the-united-states-the-property-party-and/) [Gore Vidal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gore-vidal/) > [Many people in the United States happen to believe that United States policy is wrong in Vietnam and the Vietcong are correct in wanting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gore-vidal/many-people-in-the-united-states-happen-to-believe-that-united-states/) [Gore Vidal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gore-vidal/) > [“It is curious how little interested we are in the sexual desires of those who do not attract us.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gore-vidal/it-is-curious-how-little-interested-we-are-in-the-sexual-desires-of/) [Gore Vidal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gore-vidal/) > [This separation was absolute in our original Republic. But the sky-godders do not give up easily. In the 1950s they actually got the phrase…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gore-vidal/this-separation-was-absolute-in-our-original-republic-but-the-sky/) [Gore Vidal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gore-vidal/) > [Style is knowing who you are, what you want to say, and not giving a damn.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gore-vidal/style-is-knowing-who-you-are-what-you-want-to-say-and-not-giving-a/) [Gore Vidal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gore-vidal/) > [The oligarchs think that the people are both dangerous and stupid. Their point is moot. But we do know that the oligarchs are a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gore-vidal/the-oligarchs-think-that-the-people-are-both-dangerous-and-stupid/) [Gore Vidal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gore-vidal/) > [It is curious how often one prefers his enemies to his friends.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gore-vidal/it-is-curious-how-often-one-prefers-his-enemies-to-his-friends/) [Gore Vidal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gore-vidal/) > [As societies grow decadent, the language grows decadent, too. Words are used to disguise, not to illuminate, action: you liberate a city by destroying…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gore-vidal/as-societies-grow-decadent-the-language-grows-decadent-too-words-are/) [Gore Vidal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gore-vidal/) > [Rome ... at its most decadent, had never thought of hiring an actor to go through the motions of being an emperor while the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gore-vidal/rome-at-its-most-decadent-had-never-thought-of-hiring-an-actor-to-go/) [Gore Vidal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gore-vidal/) > [History is nothing but gossip about the past, with the hope that it might be true.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gore-vidal/history-is-nothing-but-gossip-about-the-past-with-the-hope-that-it/) [Gore Vidal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gore-vidal/) > [The malady of civilized man is his knowledge of death. The good artist, like the wise man, addresses himself to life and invests with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gore-vidal/the-malady-of-civilized-man-is-his-knowledge-of-death-the-good-artist/) [Gore Vidal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gore-vidal/) > [Sex is a continuum. You go through different phases along life's way... and if you don't, you've been sort of cheated.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gore-vidal/sex-is-a-continuum-you-go-through-different-phases-along-life-s-way/) [Gore Vidal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gore-vidal/) > [All I want is that Americans still be able to read the alphabet in a hundred years. I am not very ambitious.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gore-vidal/all-i-want-is-that-americans-still-be-able-to-read-the-alphabet-in-a/) [Gore Vidal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gore-vidal/) > [I do not admire 'the people,' as such. No one really does. Their folk wisdom is usually false, their instincts predatory. Even their sense…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gore-vidal/i-do-not-admire-the-people-as-such-no-one-really-does-their-folk/) [Gore Vidal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gore-vidal/) > [“One of the problems of a society as tightly controlled as ours is that we get so little information about what those of our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gore-vidal/one-of-the-problems-of-a-society-as-tightly-controlled-as-ours-is/) [Gore Vidal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gore-vidal/) [Explore all 539 Gore Vidal quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gore-vidal/) ## More Categories quotes > [...the number of saintly men has not yet risen to the level where the census makes them a separate statistical category.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-stigler/the-number-of-saintly-men-has-not-yet-risen-to-the-level-where-the/) [George Stigler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-stigler/) > [As a politician - particularly as a politician in a coalition - you quickly realise that compromise is a part of the game. But…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-davey/as-a-politician-particularly-as-a-politician-in-a-coalition-you/) [Edward Davey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-davey/) > [I've worked with jazz artists, country artists, classical artists, pop artists. I never wanted there to be categories, because when I was a kid…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-mcknight/i-ve-worked-with-jazz-artists-country-artists-classical-artists-pop/) [Brian McKnight](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-mcknight/) > [ I don't think in national categories. For me it \[policy\] is about concepts and substance. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-claude-juncker/i-don-t-think-in-national-categories-for-me-it-policy-is-about/) [Jean-Claude Juncker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-claude-juncker/) > [Virtually every major technological advance in the history of the human species- back to the invention of stone tools and the domestication of fire…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-dennett/virtually-every-major-technological-advance-in-the-history-of-the/) [Daniel Dennett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-dennett/) > [We don't need to complicate all the "reasons" behind our emotions. It's much simpler than that. Two categories .. good feelings, bad feelings.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rhonda-byrne/we-don-t-need-to-complicate-all-the-reasons-behind-our-emotions-it-s/) [Rhonda Byrne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rhonda-byrne/) > [I put the truth out there, I put the historical facts into Hip Hop to show us how much history repeats itself and that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/immortal-technique/i-put-the-truth-out-there-i-put-the-historical-facts-into-hip-hop-to/) [Immortal Technique](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/immortal-technique/) > [I am devoting my lecture in this seminar to a discussion of the possibility that we are now entering a Jewish century, a time…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-a-siegel/i-am-devoting-my-lecture-in-this-seminar-to-a-discussion-of-the/) [Martin A. Siegel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-a-siegel/) > [A top World War II ace once said that fighter pilots fall into two broad categories: those who go out to kill and those…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/a-top-world-war-ii-ace-once-said-that-fighter-pilots-fall-into-two/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [No, I don't like legend. I mean, I don't like the category. And to begin with, to me, a legend is something that is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lauren-bacall/no-i-don-t-like-legend-i-mean-i-don-t-like-the-category-and-to-begin/) [Lauren Bacall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lauren-bacall/) > [ I read so ravenously that I would read through whole categories. I was crazy about reading biographies. \[...\] I think biographies are very urgent… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-didion/i-read-so-ravenously-that-i-would-read-through-whole-categories-i-was/) [Joan Didion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-didion/) > [... the notions category and functor were not formulated or put in print until the idea of a natural transformation was also at hand.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saunders-mac-lane/the-notions-category-and-functor-were-not-formulated-or-put-in-print/) [Saunders Mac Lane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saunders-mac-lane/) > [Last guy I was interested in turned out to be an incestuous necrophiliac," she said. "So no, not currently dating, and definitely not doing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mira-grant/last-guy-i-was-interested-in-turned-out-to-be-an-incestuous/) [Mira Grant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mira-grant/) > [Culture exists and evolves to relegate to habit categories of interactions the constant conscious reference to which would make human interaction impossible.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-mamet/culture-exists-and-evolves-to-relegate-to-habit-categories-of/) [David Mamet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-mamet/) > [I am disappointed by this controversy surrounding A Million Little Pieces because I rely on the publishers to define the category that a book…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oprah-winfrey/i-am-disappointed-by-this-controversy-surrounding-a-million-little/) [Oprah Winfrey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oprah-winfrey/) [Browse all 927 Categories quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/categories/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Before the word gay had really been invented, was there's no such thing. 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