20 Quotes About LGBTQ+ Pride

I am a strong, black, lesbian woman. Every single time I say it, I feel so much better.

Brittney Griner, the first openly gay athlete to sign with Nike

Remember, bisexuality doesn't mean halfway between gay or straight. It is its own identity.

Actress Evan Rachel Wood, in celebration of Bi Visibility Day

All of us who are openly gay are living and writing the history of our movement. We are no more — and no less — heroic than the suffragists and abolitionists of the 19th century; and the labor organizers, Freedom Riders, Stonewall demonstrators, and environmentalists of the 20th century.

Senator Tammy Baldwin, the first openly gay U.S. senator

Being gay is a natural normal beautiful variation on being human. Period. End of subject.

Larry Kramer, journalist and activist

I truly believe that every gay and lesbian person who has been lucky enough to survive the turmoil of growing up is a survivor.

Bob Paris, writer and activist

When all Americans are treated as equal, no matter who they are or whom they love, we are all more free.

Barack Obama

I think being gay is a blessing, and it's something I am thankful for every single day and have been my entire adult life.

Anderson Cooper

I was not ladylike, nor was I manly. I was something else altogether. There were so many different ways to be beautiful.

Michael Cunningham, novelist and screenwriter

Believing you are unworthy of love and belonging — that who you are authentically is a sin or is wrong — is deadly. Who you are is beautiful and amazing.

Laverne Cox, transgender actress

Remember this, whoever you are, however you are, you are equally valid, equally justified, and equally beautiful.

June Dawson, actress and writer

If I wait for someone else to validate my existence, it will mean that I’m shortchanging myself.

Zanele Muholi, activist and artist

All identity labels are umbrella terms to some degree, but this term “bisexual” is not only serviceable but it is sufficient. And yes, it brings together a bunch of people who are maybe shades different from one another. And maybe that’s the beauty of labels: that they force you to be with other people and see the difference.

Charles M. Blow, journalist

Love him and let him love you. Do you think anything else under heaven really matters?

James Baldwin, author

I believe that telling our stories, first to ourselves and then to one another and the world, is a revolutionary act.

Janet Mock, transgender rights activist and author

Nature made a mistake, which I have corrected.

Actress Christine Jorgensen, after becoming one of the first people in the world to undergo gender confirmation surgery

The Lord is my Shepherd and he knows I’m gay.

Troy Perry, LGBTQ+ preacher

To all trans youth out there, I would like to say respect yourself and be proud of who you are. All human beings deserve equal treatment no matter their gender identity or sexuality. To be perceived as what you say you are is a basic right.

Andreja Pejić, the world's first fully androgynous supermodel

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, actor and activist

We are powerful because we have survived.

Audre Lorde, activist and poet

Burst down those closet doors once and for all, and stand up, and start to fight.

Harvey Milk, politician and gay rights leader