On Saturday, National Coming Out Day will mark a time dedicated to raising civil awareness and celebrating members of the LGBTQ community.
The holiday was started in 1988 to give people support and allow them to connect with their peers. The celebration also acts as a reminder that coming out is one of the LGBTQ community’s most powerful basic tools.
On National Coming Out Day 2021, celebrate by looking back on some of these inspirational quotes, complied from Goodreads and Good Housekeeping:
“People will stare. Make it worth their while.” ― Harry Winston
“Only by speaking out can we create lasting change. And that change begins with coming out.” ― DaShanne Stokes”
“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’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
“If I wait for someone else to validate my existence, it will mean that I’m shortchanging myself.” ― Zanele Muholi
“If you possess enough courage to speak out what you are, you will find you are not alone.” ― Richard Wright
“This world would be a whole lot better if we just made an effort to be less horrible to one another.” ― Elliot Page
“There’s nothing wrong with you. There’s a lot wrong with the world you live in.” ― Chris Colfer
“Those who have not taken this step, who have not come to terms with themselves, are not necessarily frightened, they are perhaps helpless, disoriented, lost as one is in the middle of a forest that's too dark or dense or vast.” ― Philippe Besson
“Owning our story and loving ourselves through that process is the bravest thing we’ll ever do.” ― Brené Brown
“Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don’t matter and those who matter don’t mind.” ― Dr. Seuss
“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.” ― Amandla Stenberg
“The closet does have a benefit. It provides safety. Which at times is important. But remember, as long as you are in there, two other things will be too. Fear and shame.” ― Anthony Venn-Brown
“The true ugliness of the closet is its subtlety. It eats away at your soul bit by bit and you don’t even realize it. If you never deal with it or comes to terms with it, then ultimately the closet will destroy you.” ― Gar McVey-Russell
“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
Marchers walk down Fifth Avenue during the LGBT Pride March in New York, June 29, 2014. Getty Images
