"I think knowing people by first names, not by what they do sexually, is really what it's about. Not being afraid. Fear is the enemy. I've always been comfortable with being gay"

In this quote, photographer Herb Ritts stresses the value of seeing individuals as individuals instead of specifying them by their sexual preference. He thinks that true understanding and approval comes from knowing somebody on an individual level, instead of reducing them to a label. Ritts likewise speaks up against fear, specifying that it is the opponent of development and acceptance. He happily declares his own convenience with being gay, highlighting the value of self-acceptance and self-confidence in one's identity. Overall, Ritts motivates a state of mind of inclusivity and understanding, where people are valued for who they are rather than who they like.