A curated register of quotes from under-represented voices.

“ It is a revolutionary act simply to be who you are. ”

— Laverne Cox

“ Being gay is among the greatest gifts God has given me. ”

— Tim Cook, 2014

“ I'm tired of being invisible. ”

— Sylvia Rivera

“ I mostly have to think about identity when it's imposed on me. When people on the street send slurs my way. When forms require me to pick a gender. ”

— Alok Vaid-Menon

“ There are as many genders as there are people. ”

— Alok Vaid-Menon, 2022

“ There's absolutely nothing wrong with you. ”

— Elliot Page, 2023

“ I can't overstate the biggest joy, which is really seeing yourself. I know I look different to others, but to me I'm just starting to look like myself. ”

— Elliot Page, 2021

“ I never want to shy away from acknowledging who I am, being authentic as much as I can be. It's an important thing to be able to say, 'Yes, I'm out. I'm not ashamed of any part of who I am.' ”

— Sharice Davids, 2018

“ We all have agency over our own stories, and no one can strip you of that agency. Your story is yours and it's your story to tell. ”

— Janet Mock, 2014

“ Just me existing, as an openly black transgender woman from a working-class background, thriving, is a political act. ”

— Laverne Cox

“ Ever since I could form coherent thoughts, I knew I was a girl trapped inside a boy's body. There was never any confusion in my mind. ”

— Jazz Jennings, 2016

“ Your sexuality and your gender identity are one part of who you are. But it's so important that you focus on who you are and what you want for yourself. ”

— Munroe Bergdorf

“ If it wasn't for the drag queen, there would be no gay liberation movement. ”

— Sylvia Rivera, 2001

“ We're all in the same boat as long as we're being oppressed one way or the other, whether we are gay, straight, trans, black, yellow, green, purple, or whatever. ”

— Sylvia Rivera, 2001

“ If me being gay was a choice, it was a choice that was made far, far above my pay grade. ”

— Pete Buttigieg, 2019