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Born this way Quote by Cassandra Clare

“What's that you're holding?" he asked, noticing the pamphlet, still rolled up in her left hand. "Oh, this?" She held it up. "How to Come Out to Your Parents." He widened his eyes. "Something you want to tell me?" "It's not for me. It's for you." She handed it to him. "I don't have to come out to…” quote by Cassandra Clare
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““What's that you're holding?" he asked, noticing the pamphlet, still rolled up in her left hand. "Oh, this?" She held it up. "How to Come Out to Your Parents." He widened his eyes. "Something you want to tell me?" "It's not for me. It's for you." She handed it to him. "I don't have to come out to my mother," said Simon. "She already thinks I'm gay because I'm not interested in sports and I haven't had a serious girlfriend yet. Not that she knows of, anyway." "But you have to come out as a vampire," Clary pointed out. "Luke thought you could, you know, use one of the suggested speeches in the pamphlet, except use the word 'undead' instead of--" "I get it, I get it." Simon spread the pamplet open. "Here, I'll practice on you." He cleared his throat. "Mom. I have something to tell you. I'm undead. Now, I know you may have some preconceived notions about the undead. I know you may not be comfortable with the idea of me being undead. But I'm here to tell you that the undead are just like you and me." Simon paused. "Well, okay. Possibly more like me than you." "SIMON." "All right, all right." He went on. "The first thing you need to understand is that I'm the same person I always was. Being undead isn't the most important thing about me. It's just part of who I am. The second thing you should know is that it isn't a choice. I was born this way." Simon squinted at her over the pamphlet. "Sorry, reborn this way.””

Cassandra Clare

About This Quote

Source Novel: The Mortal Instruments series, 2007–2010

A character uses a pamphlet about coming out to navigate a personal revelation, humorously substituting “vampire” for “gay,” highlighting the difficulty of disclosing identity.

In simple terms: Coming out can be awkward, especially when identity feels unusual.

Key Takeaway

Approach honest conversations with humor and clarity.

Themes

identity coming out humor fantasy communication

Mood

empathetic light‑hearted thoughtful

Type

narrative dialogue educational

When to use this quote

  • family discussions
  • support groups
  • role‑playing scenarios

Key Concepts

self‑acceptance social stigma metaphor role‑play

Questions to Reflect On

  • What fears arise when revealing hidden aspects of yourself?
  • How can humor aid or hinder serious conversations?
A Different Perspective

Humor may oversimplify serious emotional challenges.

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