Part of the lesbian consciousness is an absolute recognition of the erotic within our lives and, taking that a step further, dealing with the erotic not only in sexual terms.

what you hear in my voice is fury, not suffering. Anger, not moral authority

The oppression of women knows no ethnic nor racial boundaries, true, but that does not mean it is identical within those boundaries.

[Speaking] is never without fear; of visibility, of the harsh light of scrutiny and perhaps judgment, of pain, of death. But we have lived through all of those already, in silence, except death. And I remind myself all the time now, that if I were to have been born mute, and had maintained an oath of silence my whole life for safety, I would still have suffered, and I would still die.

In our work and in our living, we must recognize that difference is a reason for celebration and growth, rather than a reason for destruction.

It is not our differences that divide us. It is our inability to recognize, accept, and celebrate those differences.

It is not the destiny of Black America to repeat white America's mistakes. But we will, if we mistake the trappings of success in a sick society for the signs of a meaningful life.