Everyone should be able to follow their heart and love who they choose regardless of their gender and identity. And while we still push toward a society where this is true, the sad fact is that we just aren’t quite there yet.
Across the globe, there is still a massive 69 countries where homosexuality is a criminal offense, and discrimination is still prevalent in many areas of even the most modern countries.
So while generally, there has definitely been a massive shift in the openness and acceptance of the LGBTQ community. There is still work to be done.
And while the quotes below may not be a form of activism that will evoke great change, they will inspire you to be proud of who you are and remind you to keep up the fight!
LGBTQ Pride Quotes
1. What Is Straight? – Tennessee Williams
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.
Love is not bound by laws. It is not one thing or another. It is complex and it is wonderful. Williams puts this point across so elegantly.
2. I Learned Compassion – Ellen DeGeneres
I learned compassion from being discriminated against. Everything bad that’s ever happened to me has taught me compassion.
Those who experience real hardship are the kindest and the most loving. Don’t let mistreatment harden your heart, but instead let it drive your love for others.
3. Equality Means More Than Passing Laws – Barbara Gittings
Equality means more than passing laws. The struggle is really won in the hearts and minds of the community, where it really counts.
While it’s true that passing laws moves us forward in the right direction, Gittings emphasises the point that it’s how we treat people that really matters.
4. Never Be Bullied Into Silence – Harvey Fierstein
Never be bullied into silence. Never allow yourself to be made a victim. Accept no one’s definition of your life; define yourself.
Fierstein beautifully illestrates that it is nobody’s right to force you into anything other than who you are. Being yourself can be scary but pretending to be a version of you that is not genuine is much, much worse.
5. Worse Things In Life – Benjamin Alire Saenz
There are worse things in life than kissing boys.
Quite plain and simply put. Why are people worrying about same-sex kissing when the world is full of much worse things. This gives me get-over-it vibes and I’m here for it.
6. Living By Example – Portia de Rossi
I’m living by example by continuing on with my career and having a full, rich life, and I am incidentally gay.
I love this quote because being gay should be just as common knowledge as being straight. You’re achievements and hardwork should be much more defining of your character than your sexuality.
7. Lucky Enough To Survive – Bob Paris
Every gay and lesbian person who has been lucky enough to survive the turmoil of growing up is a survivor. Survivors always have an obligation to those who will face the same challenges.
Paris shows here that the journey of coming out is never an easy one. It is essential that everyone in the community accepts, comforts, and helps one another.
8. Put Love Out In The World – Laverne Cox
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.
Love doesn’t follow rhyme and reason. It can come in the least likely of places and it can change everything. Love is a really beautiful thing that shouldn’t be restrained.
9. You’re An A**hole – Morgan Freeman
I hate the word homophobia. It’s not a phobia. You’re not scared. You’re an a**hole.
This one is self-explanatory. Your sexuality isn’t a choice but how you treat others definitely is.
10. It’s OK To Take Your Time – Amandla Stenberg
Gender and sexuality are so fluid. It’s OK to change your mind a million times and figure out what works for you. It’s OK to take your time.
I love that this quote reminds us that we don’t have to rush these things, and we don’t need a definitive answer. It’s not black or white. Just be true to you along the way.
11. We Deserve To Expierence Love – Elliot Page
We deserve to experience love fully, equally, without shame, and without compromise.
Elliot Page remind us here that we shouldn’t have to sacrifice anything or any part of who we are to be treat equally or to follow our hearts.
12. You Are The Definition Of Courage – Lady Gaga
This community has fought and continues to fight a war of acceptance, a war of tolerance, and the most relentless bravery. You are the definition of courage, do you know that?
To stand out from the crowd, or to point out someones intolerance, can be a terrifying thing to do. Sometimes you need to remember to give yourself credit for your bravery.
13. People Fall In Love With People – Miley Cyrus
What I preach is: People fall in love with people, not gender, not looks, not whatever. What I’m in love with exists on almost a spiritual level.
Miley Cyrus brings up an excellent point here. You don’t fall in love with someone for the shape of their jaw, the color of their eyes, or their figure. It’s who they are as a person.
14. Love Demands Expression – Jeanette Winterson
Love demands expression. It will not stay still, stay silent, be good, be modest, be seen and not heard, no. It will break out in tongues of praise, the high note that smashes the glass and spills the liquid.
This is such an eloquent way of describing that feeling of needing to scream it to the world when you’re in love. And who is anybody else to silence that?
15. We Can No Longer Stay Invisible – Sylvia Rivera
We have to do it because we can no longer stay invisible. We have to be visible. We should not be ashamed of who we are.
Show the world the real you – because the real you is pretty awesome!
16. You Might As Well Dance – Gertrude Stein
You look ridiculous if you dance. You look ridiculous if you don’t dance. So you might as well dance.
You’ll be critized no matter what you do, so you may as well do what’s true to you.
17. An Offering That Can Border On Miraculous – Elizabeth Gilbert
To be fully seen by somebody, then, and be loved anyhow – this is a human offering that can border on miraculous.
You deserve to be seen. You deserve to be loved.
18. There’s Nothing Wrong With You – Chris Colfer
There’s nothing wrong with you. There’s a lot wrong with the world you live in.
The world needs to become more accepting – you don’t need to change who you are.
19. There Will Always Be Enemies – Larry Kramer
There will always be enemies. Time to stop being your own.
Don’t get in your own way by listening to the wrong people.
20. Lifting From My Shoulders The Millstone Of Lies – Sir Ian McKellen
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.
Sometimes you may not realize how much hiding holds you back until you’re free from those chains.
21. The Person You’re Pointing A Finger At – Alaric Hutchinson
Your judgments about another person say more about your own character than the character of the person you’re pointing a finger at.
Being cruel to another person for being who they are shows that you are not a good person.
22. Keep Calm In The Face Of Difference – George Takei
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.
No two people are the same! So why do we feel the need to marginalize people that are different from us?
23. The Richness, Beauty, And Depths Of Love – Anthony Venn Brown
The richness, beauty, and depths of love can only be fully experienced in a climate of complete openness, honesty, and vulnerability.
Until all love is equal, how can we truly appreciate the magic of such an emotion?
24. Nobody Can Insult You – Rachel Maddow
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.
I love this! Don’t let people use your feelings as a weapon!
25. It’s A Good Place To Start – Jason Collins
Openness may not completely disarm prejudice, but it’s a good place to start.
Being open to others is a great doorway to acceptance.
26. You Find Others Like You – Chaz Bono
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.
The LGBTQ community really is unlike no other, and once you enter that safe space you won’t ever turn back.
27. We Are All More Free – Barack Obama
When all Americans are treated as equal, no matter who they are or whom they love, we are all more free.
Equality will truly benefit us all in the long run!
28. Being Gay Is A Blessing – Anderson Cooper
I think being gay is a blessing, and it’s something I am thankful for every single day.
Being in love is beautiful – don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.
29. Your Silence Will Not Protect You – Audre Lorde
My silences had not protected me. Your silence will not protect you.
You will not find peace in silence. You must be you – and scream it from the rooftops.
30. Society Needs To Recognize The Unstoppable Momentum – Zachary Quinto
Our society needs to recognize the unstoppable momentum toward unequivocal civil equality for every gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender citizen of this county.
We grow closer and closer to an accepting society – and if they think we’re going down without a fight, then more fool them.
Hello, my name is Gay Worlley - no, really - and I love learning about all things queer. I am also a qualified gardener and enjoy traveling in my spare time.
I love sharing my travel stories with anyone who will listen, and now I want to share them with the world through my new website! Not only that, but I want to inspire others and teach you about LGBTQ+ travel, queer media, pride, and much more.
Enjoy my website and, more importantly, enjoy learning about important subjects that need more educational attention. Thanks for stopping by!
