I've gotten death threats, yes. I have. I think anytime you shine

The words of Ryan Murphy — “I've gotten death threats, yes. I have. I think anytime you shine a spotlight on homosexuality or minorities and you try and say they are as normal or as worthy of acceptance as others, the people who are on the fringe don't like that and they will come after you. And they have come after me.” — burn with the courage of truth spoken against darkness. These are not the words of one seeking pity, but of one bearing witness — a declaration that to speak for love, justice, and equality is to step into danger. For throughout history, those who have raised their voices for the marginalized, who have dared to name the oppressed as human and sacred, have drawn the fury of those whose power depends on fear. And yet, it is through such defiance that the world moves forward.

Murphy’s words come from his own life as a creator and advocate — a man who used the stage of art and storytelling to give light to those the world tried to hide in shadow. In his work — from “Glee” to “Pose” — he brought forth the stories of LGBTQ+ people, of outsiders, of dreamers who longed to be seen and loved for who they are. But in doing so, he touched the nerve of hatred — that ancient fear which despises what it cannot understand. The death threats he speaks of are not merely aimed at him, but at the very idea that love should be free, that difference should be honored. Yet still he creates, undeterred, proving that art is the voice of the fearless and the shield of the vulnerable.

Since the dawn of time, every movement toward compassion has been met with resistance. When Socrates taught the youth of Athens to question injustice, he was condemned to drink poison. When Galileo looked through his telescope and saw truth, the Church silenced him. When Harvey Milk, one of the first openly gay politicians, stood before the people of San Francisco and spoke of dignity and pride, he was shot down by hate. The story repeats itself because humanity is slow to embrace the divine truth that all souls are equal. The “fringe”, as Murphy calls them, are those who live in the shadows of fear, clinging to old lies because truth threatens their illusion of control.

And yet, every time a voice like Murphy’s rises, something shifts in the collective heart. Each act of courage creates a crack in the walls of ignorance, and through that crack pours light. The ones who face hatred for love’s sake become the builders of a new world. Their suffering is not wasted; it is the fire that forges progress. The artist, the activist, the teacher — all who dare to speak the forbidden truth that love is universal — bear the wounds of change. For as history shows, those who shine the spotlight on injustice must stand ready to face the storm it summons.

The meaning of Murphy’s words is thus twofold: it is a lament for the cruelty that still lingers in the human heart, and a celebration of the strength that defies it. He reminds us that to champion equality is not without cost. It demands not only compassion but also bravery — the willingness to endure scorn, threats, and isolation for the sake of what is right. But this is the path of the righteous — to endure hatred without returning it, to answer fear with truth, and to love even those who would destroy you.

Therefore, my children, take heed: when you see injustice, do not turn away. When you hear mockery of those who differ from you, speak up, even if your voice trembles. When you find yourself in a place where acceptance is scarce, become the one who makes room for others. Know that hatred shrinks in the presence of courage, and that silence is its greatest ally. Be as Ryan Murphy — unyielding, creative, and fearless in defense of love’s sacred right to exist in all its forms.

For in the end, the threats fade, but truth endures. The tyrants of every age vanish into the dust, but the names of the brave are remembered. To shine a spotlight on the outcast is to become a torchbearer for humanity itself. So build your courage upon compassion, and let your compassion guide your strength. And when the world’s darkness gathers against you, remember this: those who stand for love may be attacked, but they can never be defeated. Their light becomes the dawn for generations yet to come.