Harvey Fierstein Quotes

Powerful Harvey Fierstein for Daily Growth

About Harvey Fierstein

Harvey Fierstein, born on June 6, 1954, in Brooklyn, New York, is an acclaimed American playwright, actor, and drag performer who has significantly contributed to the world of theater with his unique voice and unapologetic portrayal of LGBTQ+ characters. Raised in a working-class Jewish family, Fierstein's early years were marked by an environment that valued art and education. However, it was his experiences as a young drag performer at New York City's famous gay club, The Saint, that truly shaped his artistic career. These formative years laid the foundation for his groundbreaking work in representing LGBTQ+ characters honestly and authentically on stage. Fierstein's breakthrough came with the off-Broadway production of "Cornbread, Earl and Me" in 1978, followed by his self-penned one-woman show, "Annie Salvage," which brought him a Drama Desk Award for Outstanding One-Person Show. But it was his work on the play "Torch Song Trilogy" that truly catapulted him to fame. The trilogy, which explores themes of identity, relationships, and family, won Fierstein the 1983 Tony Award for Best Play and Best Actor in a Play. In addition to his work on stage, Fierstein has also made significant contributions to film and television, most notably voicing the character Edna Mode in the Pixar animated films "The Incredibles" and "The Incredibles 2." His works continue to resonate deeply with audiences, making him a beloved figure in the world of theater and a powerful advocate for LGBTQ+ rights.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"Being a little bit different is all part of being human. It's what makes us special."

This quote highlights the unique aspect of humanity: diversity. Differences among individuals, whether physical, emotional, or intellectual, are not flaws but rather distinctive qualities that make each person special and contribute to the richness and complexity of our species. Embracing these differences fosters understanding, empathy, and a more inclusive society.


"The most important thing you can learn is to learn the unlearnable - how to learn."

Harvey Fierstein's quote emphasizes the importance of developing a learning mindset, one that values continuous growth and adaptability. It suggests that the ability to learn, rather than specific knowledge or skills, is our most valuable asset in life. By embracing the art of learning, we equip ourselves to navigate an ever-changing world, adapt to new situations, and acquire new skills throughout our lives. In essence, Fierstein's quote encourages us to view learning as a lifelong process and understand that the capacity to learn is not limited by age or circumstance but lies within each of us.


"Life is a journey, not a destination."

This quote by Harvey Fierstein emphasizes that life should be valued for the experiences and growth it provides along the way, rather than solely focusing on achieving specific goals or destinations. It encourages us to appreciate each moment, learn from our journey, and embrace change as an opportunity for personal development and self-discovery. The essence of life lies not just in the end results but in the rich tapestry of events, relationships, and lessons that make up our unique path through existence.


"I don't want to live in someone else's world."

This quote by Harvey Fierstein highlights the importance of individuality, self-expression, and autonomy. It implies a desire for personal freedom, to create one's own path and live according to one's values, rather than conforming to societal norms or living in accordance with someone else's definition of reality. Essentially, it is a call for individuals to carve out their unique space in the world, free from external expectations and constraints.


"Everything changes. People change and forget. New people come along and the landmark you climbed up to have a better view from is bulldozed. But the one thing that never changes is who you are just as long as you continue to be yourself."

This quote by Harvey Fierstein emphasizes the inherent nature of change in life, people, and surroundings. Despite the constant flux around us, the speaker underscores the importance of maintaining one's authentic self – an enduring aspect of personal identity that remains unaltered amidst changes. In other words, no matter how much things change, people may forget or move on, and once cherished landmarks may be destroyed, a person can find stability in their own character as long as they remain true to themselves. Embracing this philosophy encourages self-awareness and fosters resilience in the face of life's ever-changing tapestry.


I have great faith in the United States. It's the only country I would ever live in.

- Harvey Fierstein

Country, United States, Only Country

Nothing binds a people to their leader like a common enemy. Voters don't change governments during war.

- Harvey Fierstein

Leader, Like, Binds, Common Enemy

I'm sure there's going to be some material from This Is Not Going To Be Pretty. I usually use that song to just introduce myself to the audience, although the patter in between the song is always different.

- Harvey Fierstein

Song, Some, Always, Introduce

When a politician like Marco Rubio is willing to sacrifice his career defining immigration reform legislation solely to insure that gays and lesbians are denied equal protection under the law, we have to admit that we're under attack. This is not pragmatic politics at work. These are the policies of bias, exclusion and unfairness.

- Harvey Fierstein

Politics, Career, Lesbians, Defining

Never be bullied into silence. Never allow yourself to be made a victim. Accept no one's definition of your life; define yourself.

- Harvey Fierstein

Life, Made, Allow, Victim

Anyone with a smart phone is a potential eyewitness cameraman capturing and transmitting stories at speeds that turn Reuter photos and traditional reporting into, well... yesterday's news.

- Harvey Fierstein

News, Stories, Cameraman, Capturing

When I went into 'Fiddler,' I wondered about the response I'd get - the backlash because I'm openly gay. There was none. I toured Canada and America, and not one single review suggested that I played the role gay or that I seemed anything but Tevye.

- Harvey Fierstein

Role, About, Backlash, Suggested

I do believe we're all connected. I do believe in positive energy. I do believe in the power of prayer. I do believe in putting good out into the world. And I believe in taking care of each other.

- Harvey Fierstein

Positive, Other, Putting, Energy

But actually just yesterday we raised the key of one of my songs two steps up, so my voice is obviously responding. It's a muscle, and the more you use it, the more you use it right, the more you should get out of it. So yes, I sing.

- Harvey Fierstein

Voice, Two, Use, Key

I actually may do a musical next year... not one that I've written; one that I may star in. Plus my concert and other people's work and all of a sudden you've got a very full life.

- Harvey Fierstein

Next, Other, Very, Full Life

You may feel powerless as a child, but the world will one day be yours. And you're responsible for it. So, seize the day and take charge of it.

- Harvey Fierstein

Will, Charge, May, Powerless

Art has the power to transform, to illuminate, to educate, inspire and motivate.

- Harvey Fierstein

Art, Inspire, Transform, Motivate

It's a lot of fun to play someone you don't normally think of yourself as.

- Harvey Fierstein

Play, Think, Lot, Normally

I often say that if you want to really want to understand the contract of marriage, just ask anyone who has been divorced. The marriage contract is one of property rights. Or maybe you can look in the Bible to see what Adam had to say about divorce, since Eve was his second wife.

- Harvey Fierstein

Been, Maybe, About, Divorced

I was exposed to a mix of cultures, lots of different religions and beliefs. I was a spiritual kid and went to Indian powwows and Buddhist temples. But over a period of time, with reading and thinking, I started to feel it was all so absurd: The whole idea of life after death is ridiculous.

- Harvey Fierstein

Death, Kid, Idea, Mix

While we dance in the streets and pat ourselves on the back for being a nation great enough to reach beyond racial divides to elect our first African-American president, let us not forget that we remain a nation still proudly practicing prejudice.

- Harvey Fierstein

Reach, Nation, Streets, Divides

I have a lot of faith in President Obama. The thing that seems to be true of him is that he doesn't speak when you would expect him to speak. He's very measured in his response to things. He likes to get all the facts first before he shoots his mouth off. It makes me crazy; it makes a lot of people crazy.

- Harvey Fierstein

Measured, Before, Very, Shoots

You really, really, really have to love what you are going to do in theater because it is an unmerciful life. It's six days a week. It's eight performances a week. And that's doing the exact same thing over and over and over again.

- Harvey Fierstein

Love, Doing, Week, Six Days

I got a lovely check today from being a writer that I earned by sitting at home. That's rewarding.

- Harvey Fierstein

Lovely, Check, Rewarding, Sitting

I actually pray everyday, but I don't believe in God.

- Harvey Fierstein

God, Believe, Actually, Everyday

I have to work really hard, eight shows a week, to get a nice check as an actor. But when I write a play, and it's a - knock wood - hit, the checks come in for many years.

- Harvey Fierstein

Play, Week, Knock, Wood

My father was brought up in an orphanage in the Catskills. He was a factory worker. And because his family wasn't there for him, family was everything. We could disagree inside the house, but outside the house it was us against the world. So when I became a drag actor, he looked sideways but said okay.

- Harvey Fierstein

Against, Became, Brought, Drag

I got the regular call, that they were doing a Broadway musical of Hairspray, and would I come and audition. I was familiar with the movie, because at the time it came out my lover wrote for Premiere magazine, and we had to see everything.

- Harvey Fierstein

Doing, Movie, Broadway, Hairspray

Theater is my temple and my religion and my act of faith. Strangers sit in a room together and believe together.

- Harvey Fierstein

Temple, Act, Theater, Sit

I am thrilled - I can't stress that enough - thrilled when I see kids getting active.

- Harvey Fierstein

Stress, Active, I See, Thrilled

Well, I always looked at Mulan as a movie about a lesbian coming out.

- Harvey Fierstein

Movie, Always, Looked, Lesbian

State-sanctioned marriage is a civil contract, period. A contract is not a judgment of moral value. It is a legal agreement between two parties that testifies to a meeting of minds between those consenting entities. It is not a religious act or rite and so has nothing to do with Adam and Eve or Steve or even Harvey.

- Harvey Fierstein

Moral, Two, Religious, Harvey

My play Safe Sex was picked apart because critics thought it was untrue. It was a play in which no one had AIDS, but the characters talked about how it was going to change their lives.

- Harvey Fierstein

Thought, Play, Which, Apart

To me, if a heterosexual has a right to do it, then I have a right to do it. And if it's important to the gay youth - who are now setting the agenda - then its important to me.

- Harvey Fierstein

Right, Then, Heterosexual, Agenda

As soon as I started writing, other writers stopped wanting me acting in their shows - maybe they thought I was going to rewrite them.

- Harvey Fierstein

Other, Wanting, Stopped, Rewrite

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