When people have points of reference that are humanizing, that demystifies difference.
Laverne CoxRead
I was assigned male at birth, is the way I like to put it, because I think... we're born who we are... and the gender thing is something someone imposes on you. And so, I was assigned male at birth, but I always felt like I was a girl.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Identity is inherent, while societal labels can be imposed.
Laverne Cox's quote emphasizes the distinction between biological sex and gender identity, suggesting that while one may be assigned a specific gender at birth, one's true identity is an intrinsic aspect of who they are, often shaped by personal experiences and feelings rather than societal expectations.
Themes
GenderIdentitySelf-DiscoverySocietyImposition
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech on LGBTQ+ rights, one could use this quote to highlight the difference between assigned gender and true identity.
More from Laverne Cox
All quotes →Each and every one of us has the capacity to be an oppressor. I want to encourage each and everyone of us to interrogate how we might be an oppressor and how we might be able to become liberators for ourselves and for each other.
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Believing that you are unworthy of love and belonging or that who you are authentically is a sin or is wrong, is deadly.
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We shouldn't demonize the woman who wears high heels and we shouldn't demonize the woman who doesn't wear high heels. We should accept all forms of comportment.
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If you have a problem with people living their lives and being authentically who they are, you really should go and do some soul-searching.
Laverne CoxRead
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