Queer History Quotes

“Sexuality was a fluid, infinitely malleable and indefinite condition. It permeated the streets of London like the smell of pies and sweetmeats.”
― Peter Ackroyd, Queer City: Gay London from the Romans to the Present Day

“Unlike heterosexuals, LGBTQ+ youths who usually grow up without relatable role models in their own homes, are at much greater risk of mental health problems, and are several times more likely to be made homeless, a process that often damages their sense of identity.”
― Franko Figueiredo-Stow, Out On An Island

“Older age can be challenging for LGBTQ people when living an independent life becomes more difficult. Having lived in a same-sex relationship for many years there are limited choices about living in a retirement home where some people may feel that they have to supress their sexuality in order to appease others. I hear less these days about this aspect of LGBT life, being forced back into the closet in order to live in close proximity to others, that can cause depression particularly where there may be no close relatives or friends having lived a long life”
― Franko Figueiredo-Stow, Out On An Island

“Une fois, un policier m’a demandé de m’essuyer le visage avec la serviette qu’il me tendait. Il voulait voir si mes joues allaient laisser des traces rouges sur le papier blanc, comme si le fard était une preuve incriminante.”
― Vincent Fortier, Les racines secondaires

“Researching and documenting the past and present lives of members of the LGBTQ+ population is, I suggest, a form of activism” - Clare Summerskill introducing Out On An Island book.”
― Franko Figueiredo-Stow, Out On An Island

“I like America very much,' she said. I replied that I liked France very much. And, as our future collaboration proved, we meant it.”
― Sylvia Beach, Shakespeare and Company