October 11th is National Coming Out Day! Fixated right in the middle of LGBTQ+ History Month, the day is important for members of the community to take the chance to come out to family and friends. However, coming out can be a hard and stressful experience. There is just so much uncertainty around it, especially since there is still so much stigma surrounding the LBGTQ+ community in this country that can add another layer of fear and stress to someone planning on coming out.
Still, coming out is a chance to celebrate, whether you choose to use it to come out, or to just quietly validate who you are to yourself. It’s a day to be you and authentically you, whatever that means to you. Here are some empowering coming out quotes to inspire you today!
“Every time someone steps up and says who they are, the world becomes a better, more interesting place.” -Raymond Holt, Brooklyn 99
“Having to hide something like that just ruined me. It really, really killed me. I really honestly think that anybody who is openly gay and visible is powerful. It doesn’t matter what you do, you are impacting people.” -Portia de Rossi
“There is no right or wrong way to be gay. No right or wrong way to come out. It’s your journey, do it the way you wanna do it.” -Tan France
“But eventually, you realize you’re just a person, and it’s really empowering not to have to be defined by who you want to make out with.” -Pilar, One Day at a Time
“I had to fight, a lot of years, to be really proud of the person I see in the mirror and really love this person.” -Jonathan Van Ness
“I just have to keep being myself and being true to who I am, and do what I love, and things will eventually come.” -Hayley Kiyoko
“The real violence, the violence I realized was unforgivable, is the violence that we do to ourselves, when we’re too afraid to be who we really are.” -Nomi, Sense8
“No point of holding onto fear when you have love for yourself and a love for a community that’s around you.” -Koramo Brown
“In the end, we will all be judged by the courage of our hearts.” -Hernando, Sense8
“Bust down those closet doors once and for all, and stand up and start to fight.” -Harvey Milk
Coming out is a deeply personal thing. Most of all, let people come out on their own time when they’re comfortable doing so, and how they’re comfortable doing so. No one should ever be put in a position where they are forced to out themselves. Other than that, remember to stay open-minded and gentle during this National Coming Out Day to those members of the community who choose to finally be open with who they are.
