Sylvia Rivera

"I am my own greatest invention."

"We are the ancestors' dreams made flesh."

"Forgive yourself for not being perfect."

"The streets have their own wisdom if you listen."

"I never needed their approval to be who I am."

"Real friendship means showing up when it's hard."

"We deserve to take up space in this world."

"I've learned that love is the most radical act."

"Fear is just the price of freedom."

"We must build bridges between our struggles."

"The health of our community depends on caring for the most vulnerable."

"I am not your charity case, I am your equal."

"Adventure is what happens when you refuse to stay small."

"Imagination is the first step to creating change."

"We are pioneers of our own freedom."

"My story doesn't have to have a happy ending to be worth telling."

"The philosophy of survival is simple: keep moving."

"We make art from our pain because it heals us."

"Life is the greatest adventure you'll ever have."

"I choose kindness even when the world chooses cruelty."

"Your past doesn't determine your future."

"We need to celebrate ourselves because nobody else will."

"Education is power, but so is street knowledge."

"I have nothing to lose except my chains."

"The most beautiful thing is when people come together."

"We are scientists of our own survival."

"Music has always been my escape and my voice."

"Faith in yourself is more important than faith in anything else."

"I am a work in progress, and that's beautiful."

"The world doesn't need perfection, it needs authenticity."