32 Inspiring Quotes From Transgender and Nonbinary People

Now more than ever, transgender and nonbinary people are visible in every aspect of society, from politics to the media. However, while the trans community has gained visibility, with that has come an increase in legislative attacks. The American Civil Liberties Union is closely tracking the rise in legislative discrimination against transgender people — currently, there are 318 anti- LGBTQ bills moving forward across the United States. These bills often target transgender/nonbinary people in core areas of life including access to safe bathrooms, employment, education and healthcare.

I started exploring my own complicated gender identity in 2001, as a 17-year-old genderqueer runaway. As I became more connected to the community, and learned of our transgender history of resistance and visibility, I felt less isolated. Back then, there was not a lot of transgender visibility in mainstream culture and media, and it took searching to find community representation. For me and so many of my friends, finding queer, and, specifically, trans community, was finding the kind of supportive home I didn’t know existed.

Now, as our community is under attack through political legislation, it’s more important than ever to support trans people as we come out and continue to encourage affirming loud and proud representation of our lives and community. This isn’t about toxic positivity or tokenized rainbow washing. Affirming representation is about showing up authentically and fully to support everyone, especially gender expansive people.

Here, diverse transgender and nonbinary people offer you words of hope. Take their encouragement as a soothing and inspirational balm during challenging times.

Quotes From Transgender and Nonbinary People

• “Let’s destroy all hierarchies and create the space for gender, sexual, social and political self-determination for everyone.” —Mattilda Bernstein Sycamore (she/her) is the author of Touching the Art.
• “We have the power to create our own reality. Dream it, Think It, Say It, Do It.” —Twiggy Pucci Garçon (she/her/hers & they/them/theirs) is a director, producer and healer. In 2023, she won the GLAAD Media Award and was nominated for an Emmy as the producer for All Boys Aren’t Blue.

• “I encourage everyone struggling to run on pure spite for the status quo. We need numbers, and we can do it together.” —Quin Pox (they/them), is an autistic, disabled farmer and founder of Autistic on the Range.
• “Those who have survived the unthinkable are also those who know how to create a better world – because it’s ended for us before.” — Kai Cheng Thom (she/her) is writer and facilitator.
• “Being a human is hard work, but it’s easier to carry that load together. Keep showing up and extending grace for yourself and others.”—Mx. Pucks A’Plenty (they/them/yas queen) is a Black, fat, queer, nonbinary and disabled artist and parent. They are the executive director of an arts & culture organization.
• “There’s power in being seen. By living authentically and fully as ourselves, we’re also ensuring that those who need to see someone like us, can.” — Andy Duran (He/him) is a queer/trans activist, fat skater and sex educator. He is founder of Chub Rollz.
• “You aren’t hard to love (your existence is a blessing). Your pronouns (or if you don’t use them) aren’t a burden. You’re a dream fulfilled.” — Julián Jamaica Soto (per or they) is a Unitarian Universalist minister and Executive Director of TRUUsT (Trans Unitarian Universalist Religious Professionals Together).
• “I want all my Queer and Trans siblings to remember that we are not alone. We never have been and we never will be.”—James Dillon III (they/them) is a photographer, writer, peer recovery coach and founder of Queercovery.
• “My femininity makes me a better man.” —Mars Wright (he/him) is a trans man, artist, and streetwear designer who started Life On Mars apparel.
• “When you show up as your authentic self, whatever that may be, you allow others to do the same, creating the world we all deserve.”—Shanna Katz Kattar (they/them) is a professor, sexuality educator and activist.

• “Church can be feeling pleasure, when the world would have you feel none, church can be your body, under the heat of the stars.” —Emma Loomis-Amrhein (she/her) is a trans writer and naturalist.
• “Always keep looking for authentic ways to belong. Find the people who will celebrate and uplift every aspect of your beautiful self. You’re worth it!” —Sophie Labelle (she/her) is a cartoonist, novelist and musical theater enthusiast.
• “Gender is a galaxy! You’re a miraculous embodiment of belonging, possibility and wonder! There’s nobody like you in the universe—that’s exactly why you belong. (Trust your star stuff.)” — samantha rise (they/them/elle) is a trans, gender-expansive performing artist, songwriter and art-activist.
• “We live in a world that has always been biologically and culturally sex/gender diverse. Rise up and celebrate this birthright.” —Jenn Burleton (she/they) is a woman of transgender experience and one of the founders of the gender-expansive child affirmation movement.
• “Instead of ‘I’ve always been this way,’ I think: ‘I have always been becoming who I am right now.’” —Johnny Blazes (they/them) is a queer, trans, disabled educator, performer and creator. Find out more at johnnyblazes.com

• “Sharing yourself, your feelings and your dreams is a gift of connection. Surround yourself with people who want to exchange gifts.” —Alex Gino (they/them) is a children’s author.
• “How we present ourselves is language, reclamation, magic, joy, and power. Wear whatever you want. Break all the rules. Be all the genders.” —Addie Tsai (any/all) is a queer biracial Asian writer & artist.
• “Don’t wait until tomorrow to make your art. Be creative with your whole self, right now.”—SJ Sindu (she/they) is a queer Tamil author.
• “After 25 years, the only regret I have about transitioning is that I couldn’t live my truth as soon as I knew it — age 4.” —Scott Turner Schofield (he/they) is an Emmy nominated actor and creator of Becoming a Man in 127 EASY Steps.
• “The world is so much Queerer than I was raised to believe! My transition has given me everything the world said I would lose.” —Dresden Graff (he/him) is a dog sport coach.
• “When we find each other, celebrate, honor one another and are held in the center of trans community, it frees us to live joyfully!” —Julia Terry (they/themme) serves at the intersections of building beloved community.
• “Tell your stories. Often and loudly. We need to hear you, and you need to be heard. Tell your stories. Someone is listening. I promise.” —Tony Amato (he/him) is a writing coach and author.
• “Prioritizing your own mental health and safety ensure those who experience you in relationship will have a positive impact on their wellbeing and mental health.” —Brielle (she, her, hers) is an activist, freedom fighter and visionary.
• “Experiencing the sacred bond and devotion of queer TGI kinship and the warmth that comes from existence as a celebration is nothing short of holy.” —Rommy Torrico (they/them) is a formerly undocumented, queer, trans nonbinary visual artist and cultural worker.
• “I want back the years I worried about my own authenticity. Turns out, confidently being yourself makes you a source of strength for other people” —Everett Maroon (he/they) is a civil rights advocate, community health and nonprofit leader, and author Co-Chair, WA State LGBTQ Commission.
• “The movement for justice needs every skill and ability, including yours. For everyone making a stirring speech, there’s someone who remembered to change the megaphone batteries. —S. Bear Bergman (he/him) is an author and educator.
• “There’s a tremendous amount of power in community and in defiant joy. Keep your chin up, find people who get you, have each other’s backs.” —Fureigh (they/them) is an indie rocker writing songs to stay alive to.
• “So many of us feel like we need permission to do things we want or need. So, you have my permission. Keep going.” —Isaiah Roby (he/him) is a trans masc, autigender, AroAce, queer, Future Librarian.

• “Self-worth shall be defined by the individual seeking. Keep an open mind, be kind, and always make time for yourself.”—Cameron Loomis (he/him) is a peer counselor.
• “No matter who you are or what you do in the world, you make a difference every single day.” —Simon (they/them) is a transmasculine, nonbinary, professional dog trainer.
• “Life is about human connection achieved through small acts of kindness and compassion. I remember this through life’s challenges, and I keep those connections alive” —Mason Caminiti (he/him) is a husband, dad, son, brother, uncle, friend and activist.
• “You are who you are. No one can tell you who you are but you. Whoever you know yourself to be, you are right.” —Maybe Burke (she/her) is an artist and educator.