--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The huge difference in my lifetime is…" description: "\"The huge difference in my lifetime is that you can just go up to somebody and make a pass. You couldn't do that in the 1950s if you were gay. There wer..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/168/ian-mckellen-1396_could_the-huge-difference-in-my-lifetime-is-th_2133603.jpg" --- # The huge difference in my lifetime is that you can just go… ![“The huge difference in my lifetime is that you can just go up to somebody and make a pass. You couldn't do that in the 1950s if you were gay. There were secret handshakes, a secret language. There was nowhere you could go to be romantic outside of people's houses.” quote by Ian Mckellen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/168/ian-mckellen-1396_could_the-huge-difference-in-my-lifetime-is-th_2133603.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/168/ian-mckellen-1396_could_the-huge-difference-in-my-lifetime-is-th_2133603.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/168/ian-mckellen-1396_could_the-huge-difference-in-my-lifetime-is-th_2133603.jpg) > “The huge difference in my lifetime is that you can just go up to somebody and make a pass. You couldn't do that in the 1950s if you were gay. There were secret handshakes, a secret language. There was nowhere you could go to be romantic outside of people's houses.” [Ian Mckellen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-mckellen/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. In the past, gay people couldn't express affection publicly; now they can approach anyone openly. **In simple terms:** Gay acceptance has grown, allowing open romance. Key Takeaway Embrace openness and support equality. Themes LGBTQ+ rights social change visibility Mood hopeful reflective Type social cultural When to use this quote - Dating - public spaces - social gatherings - activism Key Concepts Cultural shift public intimacy acceptance Questions to Reflect On - How has public acceptance changed your personal relationships? - What barriers still exist for LGBTQ+ visibility? A Different Perspective Progress varies globally; some places remain hostile. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [1950S Gay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/1950s-gay-4408633/) [Could](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/could/) [Couldn 1950S](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/couldn-1950s-4408635/) [Difference](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/difference/) [Gay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gay/) [Gay Secret](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gay-secret-4408634/) [Go](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/go/) [Handshakes Secret](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/handshakes-secret-4408636/) [Houses](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/houses/) [Huge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/huge/) [Huge difference](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/huge-difference/) [Just](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/just/) [Language](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/language/) [Language Romantic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/language-romantic-1057661/) [Lifetime](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lifetime/) [Make](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/make/) [Nowhere](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nowhere/) [Outside](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/outside/) [Pass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pass/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Romantic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/romantic/) [Secret](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/secret/) [Somebody](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/somebody/) [Up](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/up/) [Were](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/were/) [You](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/you/) ## Related quotes > [“Dave was examining the lingerie with interest. “Ooh, very nice. 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I would like it if all the repertory…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-mckellen/the-one-thing-you-can-ask-i-think-is-that-actors-get-paid-a-living/) [Ian Mckellen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-mckellen/) > [Sometimes people don't realize that there's a huge difference between giving up and having enough.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/insane-insomniac/sometimes-people-don-t-realize-that-there-s-a-huge-difference-between/) [Insane & Insomniac](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/insane-insomniac/) > [I find out as much from the guy in backstage TV as I do from my C.F.O. Anybody can e-mail me. I do town…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mindy-grossman/i-find-out-as-much-from-the-guy-in-backstage-tv-as-i-do-from-my-c-f-o/) [Mindy Grossman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mindy-grossman/) > [There's a huge difference between getting over things and just getting through them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/there-s-a-huge-difference-between-getting-over-things-and-just/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [There's a huge difference between achieving to be happy and happily achieving.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-robbins/there-s-a-huge-difference-between-achieving-to-be-happy-and-happily/) [Tony Robbins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-robbins/) > [There is a huge difference between danger and fear.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paulo-coelho/there-is-a-huge-difference-between-danger-and-fear/) [Paulo Coelho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paulo-coelho/) > [Being on one crutch to no crutches is a huge difference.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lindsey-vonn/being-on-one-crutch-to-no-crutches-is-a-huge-difference/) [Lindsey Vonn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lindsey-vonn/) > [There's a huge difference between the shallow pleasure of instant applause and the long-lasting impact of true connection.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seth/there-s-a-huge-difference-between-the-shallow-pleasure-of-instant/) [Seth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seth/) > [They taught us because they wanted to pass the knowledge on and educate young musicians. It was not because they had to teach because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miroslav-vitous/they-taught-us-because-they-wanted-to-pass-the-knowledge-on-and/) [Miroslav Vitous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miroslav-vitous/) > [If you really love films, and you really want to get the full impact, there's a huge difference between watching something on a small…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-lucas/if-you-really-love-films-and-you-really-want-to-get-the-full-impact/) [George Lucas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-lucas/) > [Even the smallest gesture can make a huge difference.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-butler/even-the-smallest-gesture-can-make-a-huge-difference/) [Billy Butler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-butler/) > [“Adding little amounts over time makes a huge difference”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leo-babauta/adding-little-amounts-over-time-makes-a-huge-difference/) [Leo Babauta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leo-babauta/) ## More by Ian Mckellen > [I've always longed for the theatre and acting to be popular. No actor wants to play to an empty house. We only do it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-mckellen/i-ve-always-longed-for-the-theatre-and-acting-to-be-popular-no-actor/) [Ian Mckellen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-mckellen/) > [It's my impression that I've done every job that I've been asked to do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-mckellen/it-s-my-impression-that-i-ve-done-every-job-that-i-ve-been-asked-to-do/) [Ian Mckellen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-mckellen/) > [I'm fortunate to be famous for two rather imposing characters like Magneto and Gandalf.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-mckellen/i-m-fortunate-to-be-famous-for-two-rather-imposing-characters-like/) [Ian Mckellen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-mckellen/) > [Tolkien is as good as Dickens at sketching a scene.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-mckellen/tolkien-is-as-good-as-dickens-at-sketching-a-scene/) [Ian Mckellen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-mckellen/) > [If you are playing King Lear you are the centre of attention anyway. You don't need to draw attention to yourself. It's all laid…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-mckellen/if-you-are-playing-king-lear-you-are-the-centre-of-attention-anyway/) [Ian Mckellen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-mckellen/) > [Godot is whatever it is in life that you are waiting for: 'I'm waiting to win the lottery. I'm waiting to fall in love'.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-mckellen/godot-is-whatever-it-is-in-life-that-you-are-waiting-for-i-m-waiting/) [Ian Mckellen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-mckellen/) > [I'm only an actor. I'm not a writer. I'm not going to leave any legacy. All I've ever done is learn the lines and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-mckellen/i-m-only-an-actor-i-m-not-a-writer-i-m-not-going-to-leave-any-legacy/) [Ian Mckellen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-mckellen/) > [I'd never read 'Lord of the Rings' until I was asked to play Gandalf, so I didn't really know it was a frightfully famous…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-mckellen/i-d-never-read-lord-of-the-rings-until-i-was-asked-to-play-gandalf-so/) [Ian Mckellen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-mckellen/) > [You might be surprised by how interested young people are in older people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-mckellen/you-might-be-surprised-by-how-interested-young-people-are-in-older/) [Ian Mckellen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-mckellen/) > [The strength of British theatre should be that these actors in their middle years know what they're doing and are good at it. Not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-mckellen/the-strength-of-british-theatre-should-be-that-these-actors-in-their/) [Ian Mckellen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-mckellen/) > [Until I came out, my acting was all about disguise, and thereafter it became about telling the truth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-mckellen/until-i-came-out-my-acting-was-all-about-disguise-and-thereafter-it/) [Ian Mckellen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-mckellen/) > [Elijah looks angelic but his beauty of spirit is what makes his Frodo leap out of the screen. Unalloyed goodness is one of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-mckellen/elijah-looks-angelic-but-his-beauty-of-spirit-is-what-makes-his-frodo/) [Ian Mckellen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-mckellen/) > ['The Lego Movie?' I've never heard of it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-mckellen/the-lego-movie-i-ve-never-heard-of-it/) [Ian Mckellen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-mckellen/) > [When I appeared in 'Coronation Street,' I lived in Manchester and enjoyed it very much.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-mckellen/when-i-appeared-in-coronation-street-i-lived-in-manchester-and/) [Ian Mckellen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-mckellen/) > [Before acting, I wanted to become a journalist. I also toyed with the idea of being a chef - but that's only when people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-mckellen/before-acting-i-wanted-to-become-a-journalist-i-also-toyed-with-the/) [Ian Mckellen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-mckellen/) [Explore all 247 Ian Mckellen quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-mckellen/) ## More Could quotes > [By eating many fruits and vegetables in place of fast food and junk food, people could avoid obesity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-h-murdock/by-eating-many-fruits-and-vegetables-in-place-of-fast-food-and-junk/) [David H. Murdock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-h-murdock/) > [I once told someone I could act. They totally bought it. I've been getting away with it ever since.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/akshay-kumar/i-once-told-someone-i-could-act-they-totally-bought-it-i-ve-been/) [Akshay Kumar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/akshay-kumar/) > [I just think my own ambition would not allow me to sit on the gifts that my creator had given me. And so that's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janelle-monae/i-just-think-my-own-ambition-would-not-allow-me-to-sit-on-the-gifts/) [Janelle Monae](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janelle-monae/) > [I've seen guys come along with more ability - they've been faster or bigger or stronger - but they never worked hard to develop…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-largent/i-ve-seen-guys-come-along-with-more-ability-they-ve-been-faster-or/) [Steve Largent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-largent/) > [I never want to look back on any moment and say I could have done more. So I go all in.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-haze/i-never-want-to-look-back-on-any-moment-and-say-i-could-have-done/) [Scott Haze](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-haze/) > [Some would call me an environmentalist. I don't know why. I reuse the water that falls in my backyard in the winter. I reuse…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-begley-jr/some-would-call-me-an-environmentalist-i-don-t-know-why-i-reuse-the/) [Ed Begley, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-begley-jr/) > [It's what the people wanted at the time, but the country could not be half-segregated and half-integrated, just as it could not be half-slave…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-wallace/it-s-what-the-people-wanted-at-the-time-but-the-country-could-not-be/) [George Wallace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-wallace/) > [It's something he used to say when he was happy. It could be a very, very simple day. 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For some reason, all the advanced courses in philosophy were offered 4:30 to 6:30, so I could…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lawrence-jackson/i-studied-philosophy-and-ended-on-sociology-for-some-reason-all-the/) [Lawrence Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lawrence-jackson/) [Browse all 8,032 Could quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/could/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The huge difference in my lifetime is that you can just go up to somebody and make a pass. You couldn't do that in the 1950s if you were gay. There were secret handshakes, a secret language. 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