--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When I came out, when I was 17 years old…" description: "\"When I came out, when I was 17 years old, it was one of those things where I realized that there was going to be so many obstacles, but being gay doesn..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bb8/bob-harper-16906_being_when-i-came-out-when-i-was-17-years-old_2946778.jpg" --- # When I came out, when I was 17 years old, it was one of… ![“When I came out, when I was 17 years old, it was one of those things where I realized that there was going to be so many obstacles, but being gay doesn't mean being weak.” quote by Bob Harper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bb8/bob-harper-16906_being_when-i-came-out-when-i-was-17-years-old_2946778.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bb8/bob-harper-16906_being_when-i-came-out-when-i-was-17-years-old_2946778.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bb8/bob-harper-16906_being_when-i-came-out-when-i-was-17-years-old_2946778.jpg) > “When I came out, when I was 17 years old, it was one of those things where I realized that there was going to be so many obstacles, but being gay doesn't mean being weak.” [Bob Harper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-harper/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Realizing that being gay does not equate to weakness despite many obstacles. **In simple terms:** Being gay isn’t a weakness. Key Takeaway Embrace identity, confront challenges. Themes identity resilience obstacles LGBTQ+ strength Mood determined hopeful Type personal activist When to use this quote - coming out - school - workplace - activism Key Concepts selfacceptance social stigma mental health Questions to Reflect On - How do you turn obstacles into strength? - What support helps you stay resilient? A Different Perspective Societal prejudice can still limit opportunities. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [17 Years](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/17-years/) [Being](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/being/) [Came](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/came/) [Came 17](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/came-17-1103047/) [Gay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gay/) [Going](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/going/) [Going Obstacles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/going-obstacles-973563/) [Homosexuality](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/homosexuality/) [I came](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/i-came/) [Many](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/many/) [Mean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mean/) [Obstacles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/obstacles/) [Obstacles Gay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/obstacles-gay-1103045/) [Old](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/old/) [Out](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/out/) [Realized](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/realized/) [Things](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/things/) [Those](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/those/) [Weak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/weak/) [Where](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/where/) [Years](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/years/) [Years Old](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/years-old/) ## Related quotes > [When I came out — when I was 17 years old — it was one of those things where I realized that there was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-harper/when-i-came-out-when-i-was-17-years-old-it-was-one-of-those-things/) [Bob Harper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-harper/) > [There are always going to be obstacles. I think the bigger your aspirations, the larger the obstacles.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathryn-minshew/there-are-always-going-to-be-obstacles-i-think-the-bigger-your/) [Kathryn Minshew](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathryn-minshew/) > [In life, you're always going to have obstacles put in your path and I am a prime example of from when I was a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dana-brooke/in-life-you-re-always-going-to-have-obstacles-put-in-your-path-and-i/) [Dana Brooke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dana-brooke/) > [Architecture and building is about how you get around the obstacles that are presented to you. That sometimes determines how successful you'll be: How…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeremy-renner/architecture-and-building-is-about-how-you-get-around-the-obstacles/) [Jeremy Renner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeremy-renner/) > [At the end of the day, you're going to go through obstacles, but with passion, you will be successful, and you will accomplish whatever…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brie-bella/at-the-end-of-the-day-you-re-going-to-go-through-obstacles-but-with/) [Brie Bella](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brie-bella/) > [There's always going to be obstacles and people that doubt you. So it's about proving people wrong and bettering yourself and trying to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kyle-kuzma/there-s-always-going-to-be-obstacles-and-people-that-doubt-you-so-it/) [Kyle Kuzma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kyle-kuzma/) > [I didn't really realise that I was going to have more obstacles because I was a woman. It was never something that I thought…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katherine-ryan/i-didn-t-really-realise-that-i-was-going-to-have-more-obstacles/) [Katherine Ryan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katherine-ryan/) > [I was just 17 years old and had to get some new friends to actually sign up for me to get electricity and utilities…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/blake-shelton/i-was-just-17-years-old-and-had-to-get-some-new-friends-to-actually/) [Blake Shelton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/blake-shelton/) > [By the time I was 17 years old, I already had my black belt.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vitor-belfort/by-the-time-i-was-17-years-old-i-already-had-my-black-belt/) [Vitor Belfort](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vitor-belfort/) > [I met Panchamda for the first time when I was just 17 years old.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anu-malik/i-met-panchamda-for-the-first-time-when-i-was-just-17-years-old/) [Anu Malik](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anu-malik/) > [“I am 18 years old, that's for sure, OFFICIALLY... no need to hide anymore my age or to try to fake it for one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deyth-banger/i-am-18-years-old-that-s-for-sure-officially-no-need-to-hide-anymore/) [Deyth Banger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deyth-banger/) > [I spent 17 years at Real Madrid and nobody can doubt that I'm a 'madridista.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raul/i-spent-17-years-at-real-madrid-and-nobody-can-doubt-that-i-m-a/) [Raul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raul/) > [I will have some time off, do some media works, and I think, for 17 years, I have given everything I could.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-carney/i-will-have-some-time-off-do-some-media-works-and-i-think-for-17/) [Karen Carney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-carney/) > [Here we are 17 years later. Those agencies never did come through.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeremy-rifkin/here-we-are-17-years-later-those-agencies-never-did-come-through/) [Jeremy Rifkin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeremy-rifkin/) > [During the last 17 years... I have been working at the restoration of a once exhausted hillside. Its scars are now healed over, though…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wendell-berry/during-the-last-17-years-i-have-been-working-at-the-restoration-of-a/) [Wendell Berry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wendell-berry/) ## More by Bob Harper > [I really believe that our past can really hold us back from growth, so the best thing that we can do is MOVE ON…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-harper/i-really-believe-that-our-past-can-really-hold-us-back-from-growth-so/) [Bob Harper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-harper/) > [When I was first introduced to CrossFit, I found it to be the hardest workout that I'd ever done. It wiped the floor with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-harper/when-i-was-first-introduced-to-crossfit-i-found-it-to-be-the-hardest/) [Bob Harper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-harper/) > [If you want to be right-sized in body, you've got to get rid of the supersize way of life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-harper/if-you-want-to-be-right-sized-in-body-you-ve-got-to-get-rid-of-the/) [Bob Harper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-harper/) > [If you're wanting something salty, do air-popped popcorn. That, to me, would be a healthier choice than having any kind of fried chip.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-harper/if-you-re-wanting-something-salty-do-air-popped-popcorn-that-to-me/) [Bob Harper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-harper/) > [“Curried Chicken and Quinoa Salad INGREDIENTS 3 ounces cooked chicken breast, cooled ¼ teaspoon curry powder ¼ cup nonfat Greek yogurt ¼ cup cooked…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-harper/curried-chicken-and-quinoa-salad-ingredients-3-ounces-cooked-chicken/) [Bob Harper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-harper/) > [For me, working out is a form of therapy. It's cathartic for me; it's a good stress reliever. I know that when I go…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-harper/for-me-working-out-is-a-form-of-therapy-it-s-cathartic-for-me-it-s-a/) [Bob Harper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-harper/) > [Even though you really don't feel like you're motivated to go to the gym, remember how good you felt after the last time you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-harper/even-though-you-really-don-t-feel-like-you-re-motivated-to-go-to-the/) [Bob Harper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-harper/) > [It's the fact that no matter how bad it's gotten, the body wants to be healthy. The body wants to bounce back. When you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-harper/it-s-the-fact-that-no-matter-how-bad-it-s-gotten-the-body-wants-to-be/) [Bob Harper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-harper/) > [You can't be a parent and say, 'I need you to be more active and I need you to eat right,' when you're still…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-harper/you-can-t-be-a-parent-and-say-i-need-you-to-be-more-active-and-i-need/) [Bob Harper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-harper/) > [I found that people like rules, and I love to tell people what to do. It's not rocket science when it comes to weight…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-harper/i-found-that-people-like-rules-and-i-love-to-tell-people-what-to-do/) [Bob Harper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-harper/) > [Since I started CrossFit, I've read and heard about the critics talk about how unsafe it is, and my only response to that is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-harper/since-i-started-crossfit-i-ve-read-and-heard-about-the-critics-talk/) [Bob Harper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-harper/) > [Stop talking about tomorrow. You owe it to yourself to do whatever you can to live you can to live a better life today.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-harper/stop-talking-about-tomorrow-you-owe-it-to-yourself-to-do-whatever-you/) [Bob Harper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-harper/) > [Our external environment no longer seems to have any firm boundaries, any limits, or any positive cues about when to stop consuming anything. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-harper/our-external-environment-no-longer-seems-to-have-any-firm-boundaries/) [Bob Harper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-harper/) > [I believe in the power of the human spirit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-harper/i-believe-in-the-power-of-the-human-spirit/) [Bob Harper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-harper/) > [Yoga is the fountain of youth. You're only as young as your spine is flexible.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-harper/yoga-is-the-fountain-of-youth-you-re-only-as-young-as-your-spine-is/) [Bob Harper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-harper/) [Explore all 38 Bob Harper quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-harper/) ## More Being quotes > [Because of the womb being a central phenomenon in the feminine body, the whole psychology of woman differs: she is non-aggressive, non-inquiring, non-questioning, non-doubting,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rajneesh/because-of-the-womb-being-a-central-phenomenon-in-the-feminine-body/) [Rajneesh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rajneesh/) > [Philosopher is a dictator who modifies accepted standards with his thoughts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilkin-santak/philosopher-is-a-dictator-who-modifies-accepted-standards-with-his/) [Ilkin Santak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilkin-santak/) > [There is something magical about being able to feel somebody. And that is something that has always moved me with music.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-brink/there-is-something-magical-about-being-able-to-feel-somebody-and-that/) [Maria Brink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-brink/) > [I love being in Malibu. It's so cool there, and the water is just, it's nice and, and I love the beach. And I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jackie-evancho/i-love-being-in-malibu-it-s-so-cool-there-and-the-water-is-just-it-s/) [Jackie Evancho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jackie-evancho/) > [I talk to my mates about our kids, being too tired and being worn out.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-willoughby/i-talk-to-my-mates-about-our-kids-being-too-tired-and-being-worn-out/) [Holly Willoughby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-willoughby/) > [I love to fish. I love the peacefulness of being around the water.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/evonne-goolagong-cawley/i-love-to-fish-i-love-the-peacefulness-of-being-around-the-water/) [Evonne Goolagong Cawley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evonne-goolagong-cawley/) > [When you're in your twenties and starting out, the problem is that you care about being cool. Being older, I can care less about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-righton/when-you-re-in-your-twenties-and-starting-out-the-problem-is-that-you/) [James Righton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-righton/) > [I am tired of our characters being so incomplete. When do we ever save the day in a film? When does a Latino actor…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/esai-morales/i-am-tired-of-our-characters-being-so-incomplete-when-do-we-ever-save/) [Esai Morales](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/esai-morales/) > [Being a new mother is a blessing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phaedra-parks/being-a-new-mother-is-a-blessing/) [Phaedra Parks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phaedra-parks/) > [I think I've had the longest career of strength, focus, and still being able to sell records. I think I'm that guy. I'm still…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nas/i-think-i-ve-had-the-longest-career-of-strength-focus-and-still-being/) [Nas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nas/) > [If we accept being talked to any kind of a way, then we are telling ourselves we are not quite worth the best. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maya-angelou/if-we-accept-being-talked-to-any-kind-of-a-way-then-we-are-telling/) [Maya Angelou](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maya-angelou/) > [Having small children and being an investigative reporter would seem like a difficult mix, but it worked well for me. I was often working…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jill-abramson/having-small-children-and-being-an-investigative-reporter-would-seem/) [Jill Abramson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jill-abramson/) > [I am just enjoying the dream of being Milan coach at the age of 40.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gennaro-gattuso/i-am-just-enjoying-the-dream-of-being-milan-coach-at-the-age-of-40/) [Gennaro Gattuso](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gennaro-gattuso/) > [America, you're sending girls a mixed message. On one hand, you're saying to have positive body image and love who we are; on the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adora-svitak/america-you-re-sending-girls-a-mixed-message-on-one-hand-you-re/) [Adora Svitak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adora-svitak/) > [We should not live in fear, we should all enjoy being able to express our views freely and openly, challenge each other on issues.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tan-cheng-bock/we-should-not-live-in-fear-we-should-all-enjoy-being-able-to-express/) [Tan Cheng Bock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tan-cheng-bock/) [Browse all 18,139 Being quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/being/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "When I came out, when I was 17 years old, it was one of those things where I realized that there was going to be so many obstacles, but being gay doesn't mean being weak.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Bob Harper" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-harper/when-i-came-out-when-i-was-17-years-old-it-was-one-of-those-things-2/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Being" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-harper/when-i-came-out-when-i-was-17-years-old-it-was-one-of-those-things-2/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bb8/bob-harper-16906_being_when-i-came-out-when-i-was-17-years-old_2946778.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bb8/bob-harper-16906_being_when-i-came-out-when-i-was-17-years-old_2946778.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bb8/bob-harper-16906_being_when-i-came-out-when-i-was-17-years-old_2946778.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“When I came out, when I was 17 years old, it was one of those things where I realized that there was going…” — Bob Harper", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Bob Harper", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-harper/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "When I came out, when I...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-harper/when-i-came-out-when-i-was-17-years-old-it-was-one-of-those-things-2/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-harper/when-i-came-out-when-i-was-17-years-old-it-was-one-of-those-things-2/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```