19 LGBTQ Quotes to Express Your Pride

The words we share and consume matter. Whether you're celebrating Pride Month or just aiming to inspire, finding the right ones to express yourself is paramount. 

When it comes to Pride quotes that resonate with the LGBTQ community and our allies, specifically, we’re thankfully not at a loss for words. From LGBT quotes to uplift your spirits to rainbow quotes to add color to your life (or to the next greeting card you send) and acceptance quotes to foster unity, we've got you covered.

Inspirational quotes

Inspirational words can lift us up, make us think, and even change our perspective. These quotes have been a beacon of light in times of darkness, offering hope and encouragement. 

"Hope will never be silent." — Harvey Milk

Trivia: Harvey Milk was one of the first openly gay elected officials in the United States. This quote encapsulates his belief in the power of hope as a driving force for change.

"It is not our differences that divide us. It is our inability to recognize, accept, and celebrate those differences." — Audre Lorde

Trivia: “Black, lesbian, mother, warrior, poet” is how Audre Lorde described herself. This quote is often cited in discussions about intersectionality, a concept she helped popularize.

"You have to go the way your blood beats. If you don’t live the only life you have, you won’t live some other life, you won’t live any life at all." — James Baldwin

Trivia: James Baldwin was an openly gay Black writer and social critic. This quote is a testament to his belief in authenticity and the importance of living one's truth.

"We are not what other people say we are. We are who we know ourselves to be, and we are what we love. That’s okay." — Laverne Cox

Trivia: Laverne Cox is an Emmy-nominated actress and a prominent transgender advocate. This quote reflects her advocacy for self-acceptance and the freedom to define one's identity.

"Being born gay, Black, and female is not a revolutionary act. Being proud to be a gay, Black female is." — Lena Waithe

Trivia: Lena Waithe is an Emmy-winning writer and actress — the first Black woman to win an Emmy for Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series. This quote emphasizes the revolutionary act of embracing one's multiple identities with pride.

Quotes on coming out and acceptance

Coming out is a transformative experience that varies from person to person. It's a journey of self-discovery, courage, and vulnerability.

These quotes capture the essence of this life-changing moment and criticize the people who make others feel like they belong in the closet. Whether you're contemplating coming out or have already taken that brave step, here are five passages that speak to that experience.

"Some people are blind or ignorant, and you can't be that prejudiced and hateful and go through this world and still be happy." — Dolly Parton

Trivia:  Country music legend Dolly Parton is a long-time supporter of the LGBTQ community. This quote asserts that acceptance is the only way to achieve happiness.

"I am tired of hiding, and I am tired of lying by omission." — Elliot Page

Trivia: Elliot Page is an actor known for his roles in "Juno" and "The Umbrella Academy." This quote is from his original coming-out speech, encapsulating the emotional toll hiding one's identity can take.

"When an individual is protesting society's refusal to acknowledge his dignity as a human being, his very act of protest confers dignity on him." — Bayard Rustin

Trivia: Bayard Rustin was an American leader in social movements for civil rights, socialism, nonviolence, and gay rights. This quote emphasizes the importance of living authentically.

"If you're not personally free to be yourself in that most important of all human activities — the expression of love — then life itself loses its meaning." — Harvey Milk

Trivia: This is another powerful quote from Harvey Milk that speaks to the importance of love and freedom in one's life.

Supportive LGBTQ+ quotes

The power of support cannot be underestimated, especially for the LGBTQ+ community. Support comes from many sources: friends, family, allies, and even from within. These acceptance quotes offer a supportive hand or a comforting word, whether you're an ally looking to uplift someone or a member of the LGBTQ community needing some encouragement.

"The only queer people are those who don't love anybody." — Rita Mae Brown

Trivia: Rita Mae Brown is an American writer and activist. This quote challenges societal norms and emphasizes that the real oddity is contempt, not affection.

"Love yourself, whatever makes you different, and use it to make you stand out." — Ross Mathews

Trivia: Ross Mathews is a television host who gained fame as a correspondent on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. His quote encourages embracing uniqueness as a strength.

"It takes no compromise to give people their rights… it takes no money to respect the individual. It takes no political deal to give people freedom. It takes no survey to remove repression." — Harvey Milk

Trivia: Harvey Milk, a recurring figure in our list, emphasizes here that human rights should be uncompromisable and unconditional.

Quotes for youth

The youth are not just the future; they’re the vibrant, dynamic present. Young members of the LGBTQ community often face unique challenges, from bullying in schools to legislation hampering their self-expression.

These quotes speak directly to the experiences and aspirations of young people and those who support them.

"There's nothing wrong with you. There's a lot wrong with the world you live in." — Chris Colfer

Trivia: Chris Colfer is known for his role on the hit TV show Glee. Here, he aims to reassure young people that their identity is not the problem; societal prejudices are.

"We can climb mountains with self-love. I want to make sure that any young person, or anyone, really, who is looking up to me… that they see no shame, that they see pride, and that I'm truly unabashed about the person that I am." — Samira Wiley

Trivia: Samira Wiley is known for her roles in Orange Is the New Black and The Handmaid's Tale. She explains here that she wants to be a role model for the young people who admire her.

"I want people to walk around delusional about how great they can be — and then to fight so hard for it every day that the lie becomes the truth." — Lady Gaga

Trivia: Pop icon and LGBTQ advocate Lady Gaga’s "Born This Way” has become an undeniable anthem for self-acceptance among young people.

Quotes on rights and taking action

In a world where the fight for equal rights and social justice is far from over, words can serve as powerful tools for change.

These quotes go beyond personal experiences and touch on the broader issues affecting the LGBTQ community. They’re calls to action, urging us to stand up for our rights and actively participate in the fight for equality.

"I'm not missing a minute of this. It's the revolution!" — Sylvia Rivera

Trivia: Sylvia Rivera was a transgender activist and a founding member of the Gay Liberation Front. She uttered this quote during the Stonewall Riots, emphasizing her commitment to the movement.

"The beauty of standing up for your rights is others see you standing and stand up as well." — Cassandra Duffy

Trivia: Cassandra Duffy is a writer and LGBTQ rights advocate. Her quote highlights the ripple effect that one person's actions can have on a community.

"Never be bullied into silence. Never allow yourself to be made a victim. Accept no one's definition of your life; define yourself." — Harvey Fierstein

Trivia: Harvey Fierstein is an actor and playwright known for advocating for LGBTQ+ rights. This quote serves as a call to action against bullying while advocating for self-assurance.

"Openness may not completely disarm prejudice, but it's a good place to start." — Jason Collins

Trivia: This is another impactful quote from Jason Collins, the first openly gay athlete to play in any major North American professional sport. This quote emphasizes the importance of openness and dialogue in combating bigotry.