Society’s very difficult to navigate. Sometimes, society’s perception of what general normality is can be a bit distorted. After all, what is “normal”? Humans aren’t one-size-fits-all. Each human being’s an individual; we’re different from each other and that’s what makes us special.
If you are part of the LGBT+ community, you might have experienced the discrimination it carries. As a consequence of some religious beliefs and some traditions that are from centuries ago, being different than what is considered normal can make other people ostracize you.
This is why we have gathered some of the most powerful LGBT+ quotes on why you should be proud of yourself no matter what.
Quotes on LGBT+ and Love
The premise of the LGBT+ community is to be able to love freely and openly. Love is something everybody should experience and the sexual orientation or the gender identity of the person shouldn’t matter.
“The only queer people are those who don’t love anybody.”
Rita Mae Brown
“A long time ago I asked myself, ‘Do I want to be right, or do I want to be kind?’. I opted for kind.”
Jane Lynch
“When you put love out in the world it travels, and it can touch people and reach people in ways that we never even expected.”
Laverne Cox
“There is only one happiness in this life, to love and be loved.”
George Sand
“We deserve to experience love fully, equally, without shame, and without compromise.”
Elliot Page
“To be fully seen by somebody, then, and be loved anyhow – this is a human offering that can border on miraculous.”
Elizabeth Gilbert
“Love is never wrong.”
Melissa Etheridge
“What is straight? A line can be straight, or a street, but the human heart, oh, no, it’s curved like a road through mountains.”
Tennessee Williams
“A man can love another man. A woman can love other women. Homophobic bastards should keep their motherf***ing mouths shut.”
D.L. Lewis
“This world would be a whole lot better if we just made an effort to be less horrible to one another.”
Elliot Page
“I learned compassion from being discriminated against. Everything bad that’s ever happened to me has taught me compassion.”
Ellen DeGeneres
“The important thing is not the object of love, but the emotion itself.”
Gore Vidal
“I’m a young, bisexual woman, and I’ve spent a large part of my life trying to validate myself-to my friends, to my family, to myself-trying to prove that who I love and how I feel is not a phase.”
Halsey
“Love takes off the masks we fear we cannot live without and know we cannot live within.”
James Baldwin
Quotes on LGBT+ and Religion
Religion is one of the many reasons why being different and having different lifestyles than the heteronormative ones is so controversial. Some beliefs dictate that having another sexual orientation or different gender identity than the one assigned at birth is a sin or something terribly wrong,
Sadly, this has allowed people that practice these religions to discriminate against the LGBT+ community. Everybody should be allowed to live however they want to. Religion, lifestyle, and orientation are things each individual should be able to practice in peace.
“If you think homosexuality is a sin, then your very life is a sin. If you think homosexuality is disgusting, then your very mind is disgusting. If you think homosexuality is a disease, then your very existence is a disease.”
Abhijit Naskar
“I think being gay is a blessing, and it’s something I am thankful for every single day.”
Anderson Cooper
“I would not worship a God who is homophobic and that is how deeply I feel about this. I would refuse to go to a homophobic heaven. No, I would say sorry, I mean I would much rather go to the other place.”
Desmond Tutu
“The Lord is my Shepherd and he knows I’m gay.”
Troy Perry
“We should indeed keep calm in the face of difference, and live our lives in a state of inclusion and wonder at the diversity of humanity.”
George Takei
“From a religious point of view, if God had thought homosexuality is a sin, he would not have created gay people.”
Howard Dean
Quotes on LGBT+ and Politics
The LGBT+ community has been fighting against legislation in multiple countries around the world. Same-sex marriage is legal in 30+ countries worldwide. Despite this fact, some still have to fight for their very existence.
In most countries, people from the community face some type of discrimination every day. Sometimes, this discrimination is supported by the laws of said countries. This can be detrimental to the citizens who should be protected according to their human rights.
“For some of us, politics means fighting for our right to exist.”
Scott Westerfeld
“History isn’t something you look back at and say it was inevitable. It happens because people make decisions that are sometimes very impulsive and of the moment, but those moments are cumulative realities.”
Marsha P. Johnson
“Only by speaking out can we create lasting change. And that change begins with coming out.”
DaShanne Stokes
“There will always be enemies. Time to stop being your own.”
Larry Kramer
“If you help elect more gay people, that gives a green light to all who feel disenfranchised a green light to move forward.”
Harvey Milk
“I hear the word “tolerance” — that some people are trying to teach people to be tolerant of gays. I’m not satisfied with that word. I am gay, and I am not seeking to be “tolerated.” One tolerates a toothache, rush-hour traffic, an annoying neighbor with a cluttered yard. I am not a negative to be tolerated.”
Chely Wright
“When all Americans are treated as equal, no matter who they are or whom they love, we are all more free.”
President Barack Obama
“The next time someone asks you why LGBT Pride marches exist or why Gay Pride Month is June tell them ‘A bisexual woman named Brenda Howard thought it should be.’”
Brenda Howard
“There’s nothing wrong with you. There’s a lot wrong with the world you live in.”
Chris Colfer
“Equality means more than passing laws. The struggle is really won in the hearts and minds of the community, where it really counts.”
Barbara Gittings
“Every LGBTQ+ refugee has a unique situation-but the fear and pain they endured before coming to Canada is universal.”
Arsham Parsi
“Human beings are human beings, just treat everyone like that.”
Hayley Williams
“It’s hard not to be a fighter when you’re constantly under siege.”
Cassandra Duffy
“I want to do the right thing and not hide anymore. I want to march for tolerance, acceptance and understanding. I want to take a stand and say, ‘Me, too.’”
Jason Collins
Quotes on LGBT+ and Freedom
People that are part of the LGBT+ community often hide in order to protect their jobs, reputations, and loved ones from discrimination and scrutiny. Those who should be hiding are those who discriminate.
You shouldn’t be afraid to show who you really are or who you love. If there is equality, everyone should be allowed to live their lives freely and without the worry of having their lives turned upside down just because they showed who they are.
“I believe that no one should ever have to choose between a career we love and living our lives with authenticity and integrity.”
Selisse Berry
“Nature made a mistake, which I have corrected.”
Christine Jorgensen
“To all the young people who discover they are gay: Don’t be afraid to come out of the closet right now.”
Núria Añó
“I am happy to dispel any rumors or misconceptions and am quite proud to say that I am a very content gay man living my life to the fullest and feel most fortunate to be working with wonderful people in the business I love.”
Neil Patrick Harris
“The single best thing about coming out of the closet is that nobody can insult you by telling you what you’ve just told them.”
Rachel Maddow
“I’m living by example by continuing on with my career and having a full, rich life, and I am incidentally gay.”
Portia de Rossi
“It is a testament to my parents that they never reacted negatively to the four-year-long pride parade that marched through their house.”
Tina Fey
“Being asked why you’re gay is like being asked why you were born human!”
K.L. Laitinen
“The pressures on gay teens can be overwhelming-to keep secrets, tell lies, deny who you are, and try to be who you’re not. Remember: you are special and worth being cared about, loved, and accepted just as you are. Never, ever let anyone convince you otherwise.”
Alex Sanchez
“Gender identity belongs to the person who lives it, but one cannot deny that observers will make assumptions about us based on their understanding or comprehension of gender signals.”
Jamison Green
“If Harry Potter taught us anything it’s that no one should live in a closet.”
J.K. Rowling
“Personally, coming out was one of the most important things I’ve ever done, lifting from my shoulders the millstone of lies that I hadn’t even realized I was carrying.”
Sir Ian McKellen
“The fact is, I’m gay, always have been, always will be, and I couldn’t be any more happy, comfortable with myself, and proud.”
Anderson Cooper
“Don’t hide yourself in regret, just love yourself, and you’re set.”
Lady Gaga
“There are worse things in life than kissing boys.”
Benjamin Alire Sáenz
“I’ve been embraced by a new community. That’s what happens when you’re finally honest about who you are; you find others like you.”
Chaz Bono
“Your judgments about another person say more about your own character than the character of the person you’re pointing a finger at.”
Alaric Hutchinson
“Openness may not completely disarm prejudice, but it’s a good place to start.”
Jason Collins
“Freedom isn’t just about voting and marrying and kissing on the street, although all of these things are important. Freedom is also about what you will allow yourself to do.”
David Levithan
Wrapping Up
This collection of quotes goes to show that you are not alone in this. There are many people like you in the world, and you should be proud of yourself despite what some people might tell you. Being yourself, loving yourself, and surrounding yourself with people that love you are key.
If you ever doubt your place in this world, remind yourself of these quotes. No one should make you feel like you are less than anybody. Everybody is equal. Good luck!
