"These names: gay, queer, homosexual are limiting. I would love to finish with them. We're going to have to decide which terms to use and where we use them. For me to use the word "queer" is a liberation; it was a word that frightened me, but no longer"
- Derek Jarman
About this Quote
This quote by Derek Jarman speaks to the power of language and how it can be used to both oppress and liberate. He is recommending that the terms "gay," "queer," and "homosexual" are restricting and that it is time to move beyond them. He is also suggesting that the terms we utilize ought to be chosen carefully and with intention. For him, the word "queer" is a liberation, as it was once a word that terrified him. This quote speaks with the power of language and how it can be utilized to both oppress and liberate. It is a suggestion that language is not static and that it can be used to produce a more inclusive and verifying environment. It is also a tip that we must be mindful of the language we utilize and how it can impact those around us.
"Computers are magnificent tools for the realization of our dreams, but no machine can replace the human spark of spirit, compassion, love, and understanding"