--- 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 doe..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8c2/bob-harper-16906_being-gay_when-i-came-out-when-i-was-17-years-old_1696043.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. And being gay doesn't mean that you are less than anybody else. It's just who you are.” quote by Bob Harper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8c2/bob-harper-16906_being-gay_when-i-came-out-when-i-was-17-years-old_1696043.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8c2/bob-harper-16906_being-gay_when-i-came-out-when-i-was-17-years-old_1696043.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8c2/bob-harper-16906_being-gay_when-i-came-out-when-i-was-17-years-old_1696043.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. And being gay doesn't mean that you are less than anybody else. It's just who you are.” [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. Being openly gay does not diminish strength; identity is a core part of self, not a weakness. **In simple terms:** Being gay isn’t a weakness. Key Takeaway Embrace identity confidently. Themes identity strength equality Mood empowering affirmative Type motivational inspirational When to use this quote - workplace inclusion training - pride events - personal storytelling - support groups Key Concepts self‑acceptance social stigma Questions to Reflect On - How can allies support LGBTQ+ individuals? - What personal habits reinforce self‑worth? A Different Perspective Societal prejudice may still pose challenges. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Being gay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/being-gay/) [Gay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gay/) [Homosexuality](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/homosexuality/) [Obstacles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/obstacles/) ## Related quotes > [When I came out, when I was 17 years old, it was one of those things where I realized that there was going to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-harper/when-i-came-out-when-i-was-17-years-old-it-was-one-of-those-things-2/) [Bob Harper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-harper/) > [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 > [Being gay doesn't mean that you are less than anybody else. It's just who you are.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-harper/being-gay-doesn-t-mean-that-you-are-less-than-anybody-else-it-s-just/) [Bob Harper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-harper/) > [I never really looked at Formula One like that was the long-term goal. I obviously dreamed, and my aspirations were to get to Formula…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lance-stroll/i-never-really-looked-at-formula-one-like-that-was-the-long-term-goal/) [Lance Stroll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lance-stroll/) > [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/) > [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/) > [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 really didn't settle stuff spiritually until I was 17 years of age. But through my teenage years I just knew that someday I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/i-really-didn-t-settle-stuff-spiritually-until-i-was-17-years-of-age/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [It is completely a God thing that I am here today because for the first 17 years of my life, I never thought I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-rhett/it-is-completely-a-god-thing-that-i-am-here-today-because-for-the/) [Thomas Rhett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-rhett/) > [I've been in the industry for 17 years. I am over that phase of wanting my first watch, car etc.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sudha-kongara/i-ve-been-in-the-industry-for-17-years-i-am-over-that-phase-of/) [Sudha Kongara](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sudha-kongara/) > [I've been a Dolphin for 17 years, and I'll be a Dolphin for the rest of my life. That will never change.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-marino/i-ve-been-a-dolphin-for-17-years-and-i-ll-be-a-dolphin-for-the-rest/) [Dan Marino](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-marino/) > [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 gay quotes > [Jeff Chu's pilgrimage across America to discover his own place as a gay man in the Christian church as well as attitudes about being…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donna-freitas/jeff-chu-s-pilgrimage-across-america-to-discover-his-own-place-as-a/) [Donna Freitas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donna-freitas/) > [You dont go to hell for being gay unless you confess your sin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/you-dont-go-to-hell-for-being-gay-unless-you-confess-your-sin/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I don't particularly like going on about being gay or making a big thing about it, but I think it's a bit of a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/evan-davis/i-don-t-particularly-like-going-on-about-being-gay-or-making-a-big/) [Evan Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evan-davis/) > [Being gay and being a woman has one big thing in common, which is that we both become invisible after the age of 42.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rupert-everett/being-gay-and-being-a-woman-has-one-big-thing-in-common-which-is-that/) [Rupert Everett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rupert-everett/) > [I used too cry cause I'd be accused of being gay all the time ...now people are just like noooo whyyyy?!?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-used-too-cry-cause-i-d-be-accused-of-being-gay-all-the-time-now/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Being gay is like glitter, it never goes away.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lady-gaga/being-gay-is-like-glitter-it-never-goes-away/) [Lady Gaga](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lady-gaga/) > [And being gay isn't so easy, either I've always said that if anyone ever thought I was straight they must need glasses - but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/boy-george/and-being-gay-isn-t-so-easy-either-i-ve-always-said-that-if-anyone/) [Boy George](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/boy-george/) > [There's nothing wrong with being gay. I have plenty of friends who are going to hell.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-colbert/there-s-nothing-wrong-with-being-gay-i-have-plenty-of-friends-who-are/) [Stephen Colbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-colbert/) > [Wouldn't it be nice if we lived in a world where no one thought being gay was even something to ride someone about?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-konigsberg/wouldn-t-it-be-nice-if-we-lived-in-a-world-where-no-one-thought-being/) [Bill Konigsberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-konigsberg/) > [Gays being gay is wrong. Two women can't produce a baby, two men can't produce a baby, so it's not how it's supposed to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-everett/gays-being-gay-is-wrong-two-women-can-t-produce-a-baby-two-men-can-t/) Carl Everett > [Being gay is just a small fraction of who I am, not what defines me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/being-gay-is-just-a-small-fraction-of-who-i-am-not-what-defines-me/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I didn't get bullied any more than anybody else. I think I got bullied more for being poor than being gay. But no more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brandi-carlile/i-didn-t-get-bullied-any-more-than-anybody-else-i-think-i-got-bullied/) [Brandi Carlile](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brandi-carlile/) > [Being gay is not a choice. Being homophobic is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/being-gay-is-not-a-choice-being-homophobic-is/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [ I did think Justice \[Antony\] Kennedy's opinion on Lawrence was critical to that because it really, what Lawrence in one sense was, of course,… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-verrilli-jr/i-did-think-justice-antony-kennedy-s-opinion-on-lawrence-was-critical/) [Donald Verrilli Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-verrilli-jr/) > [As for the people that say "God made them that way," that's not true. The bible says that mankind is born in sin. Including…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/as-for-the-people-that-say-god-made-them-that-way-that-s-not-true-the/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) [Browse all 205 Being gay quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/being-gay/) ```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. And being gay doesn't mean that you are less than anybody else. 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