--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When I was younger I dated women. I even…" description: "\"When I was younger I dated women. I even got engaged. I thought I had to live a certain way. I thought I needed to marry a woman and raise kids with he..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/756/jason-collins-4195_blue_when-i-was-younger-i-dated-women-i-even_924699.png" --- # When I was younger I dated women. I even got engaged. I… ![“When I was younger I dated women. I even got engaged. I thought I had to live a certain way. I thought I needed to marry a woman and raise kids with her. I kept telling myself the sky was red, but I always knew it was blue.” quote by Jason Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/756/jason-collins-4195_blue_when-i-was-younger-i-dated-women-i-even_924699.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/756/jason-collins-4195_blue_when-i-was-younger-i-dated-women-i-even_924699.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/756/jason-collins-4195_blue_when-i-was-younger-i-dated-women-i-even_924699.png) > “When I was younger I dated women. I even got engaged. I thought I had to live a certain way. I thought I needed to marry a woman and raise kids with her. I kept telling myself the sky was red, but I always knew it was blue.” [Jason Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-collins/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Personal identity evolves; societal expectations can be challenged by authentic self‑discovery. **In simple terms:** Be true to yourself despite norms. Key Takeaway Live authentically. Themes identity acceptance growth Mood reflective hopeful Type memoir inspirational When to use this quote - sports - family planning - public speaking Key Concepts gender studies psychology social norms Questions to Reflect On - How do you define success? - What fears hold you back? A Different Perspective May face external resistance. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Blue](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/blue/) [Kids](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/kids/) [Marriage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/marriage/) [Red](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/red/) [Sky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sky/) ## Related quotes > [Every man should marry - and no woman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-disraeli/every-man-should-marry-and-no-woman/) [Benjamin Disraeli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-disraeli/) > [They can get married. They can marry a man if they're a woman. Or they can marry a woman if they're a man.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michele-bachmann/they-can-get-married-they-can-marry-a-man-if-they-re-a-woman-or-they/) [Michele Bachmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michele-bachmann/) > [Always marry a woman from Texas. No matter how tough things get, she's seen tougher.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-rather/always-marry-a-woman-from-texas-no-matter-how-tough-things-get-she-s/) [Dan Rather](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-rather/) > [When you're told there's no way you can marry the woman you love and your only hope of being near her is to marry…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-esquivel/when-you-re-told-there-s-no-way-you-can-marry-the-woman-you-love-and/) [Laura Esquivel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-esquivel/) > [Do you know anybody under 25 that gives a damn whether you marry a man if you're a man or if you marry a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/graham-nash/do-you-know-anybody-under-25-that-gives-a-damn-whether-you-marry-a/) [Graham Nash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/graham-nash/) > [My father told me I should marry the woman that loves me, not the woman I loved.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leon-g-cooperman/my-father-told-me-i-should-marry-the-woman-that-loves-me-not-the/) Leon G. Cooperman > [Of course, I'd like to fall in love and get married one day - my brother has just got engaged and I'm thrilled for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katie-piper/of-course-i-d-like-to-fall-in-love-and-get-married-one-day-my-brother/) [Katie Piper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katie-piper/) > [I found my wedding dress about a week after we got engaged.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kiki-bertens/i-found-my-wedding-dress-about-a-week-after-we-got-engaged/) [Kiki Bertens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kiki-bertens/) > [Larry and I didn't have two nickels together when we got engaged.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurie-david/larry-and-i-didn-t-have-two-nickels-together-when-we-got-engaged/) [Laurie David](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurie-david/) > [I got divorced on February 14, 2003, and got engaged on February 14, 2019. I have had relationships in between and my kids have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pooja-bedi/i-got-divorced-on-february-14-2003-and-got-engaged-on-february-14/) [Pooja Bedi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pooja-bedi/) > [I got engaged, married, and divorced in 15 months in Hollywood, so, you know what I'm saying? We're out here putting rings on it!…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mod-sun/i-got-engaged-married-and-divorced-in-15-months-in-hollywood-so-you/) [Mod Sun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mod-sun/) > [Few things in life are more embarrassing than the necessity of having to inform an old friend that you have just got engaged to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-c-fields/few-things-in-life-are-more-embarrassing-than-the-necessity-of-having/) [W. C. Fields](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-c-fields/) > [I was taken aback by the amount of interest, due to my colour, that exploded when we got engaged. It has developed into a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emma-weymouth/i-was-taken-aback-by-the-amount-of-interest-due-to-my-colour-that/) [Emma Weymouth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emma-weymouth/) > [I've dated men. I've dated women. I don't know why anyone would care.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lee-pace/i-ve-dated-men-i-ve-dated-women-i-don-t-know-why-anyone-would-care/) [Lee Pace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lee-pace/) > [“As for romance, Frank had dated a few women over the years but found them to be too inconsistent and illogical, so he dated…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sherman-alexie/as-for-romance-frank-had-dated-a-few-women-over-the-years-but-found/) [Sherman Alexie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sherman-alexie/) ## More by Jason Collins > [I didn't set out to be the first openly gay athlete playing in a major American team sport.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-collins/i-didn-t-set-out-to-be-the-first-openly-gay-athlete-playing-in-a/) [Jason Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-collins/) > [The most you can do is stand up for what you believe in. I'm much happier since coming out to my friends and family.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-collins/the-most-you-can-do-is-stand-up-for-what-you-believe-in-i-m-much/) [Jason Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-collins/) > [It's my job to go out there and do my job and be ready when my name and number is called, regardless of what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-collins/it-s-my-job-to-go-out-there-and-do-my-job-and-be-ready-when-my-name/) [Jason Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-collins/) > [Anytime you lose a lot of weight you're going to feel lighter on your feet.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-collins/anytime-you-lose-a-lot-of-weight-you-re-going-to-feel-lighter-on-your/) [Jason Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-collins/) > [I have had a moment where, well actually a couple moments, where people in the realm of sports have confided in me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-collins/i-have-had-a-moment-where-well-actually-a-couple-moments-where-people/) [Jason Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-collins/) > [The best part of when you reveal your authentic self publicly is that it will allow those people around you, whether it's your teammates…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-collins/the-best-part-of-when-you-reveal-your-authentic-self-publicly-is-that/) [Jason Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-collins/) > [As all professional athletes know, Father Time is undefeated, and when I wake up in the morning, my back especially lets me know that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-collins/as-all-professional-athletes-know-father-time-is-undefeated-and-when/) [Jason Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-collins/) > [I am in love with the creator of heaven and earth. I see the morning sun and thank the Lord for everything that he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-collins/i-am-in-love-with-the-creator-of-heaven-and-earth-i-see-the-morning/) [Jason Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-collins/) > [For many young people growing up in minority communities, there is a sense that their lives are disposable. As athletes, we have a platform…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-collins/for-many-young-people-growing-up-in-minority-communities-there-is-a/) [Jason Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-collins/) > [The NBA is like a brotherhood.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-collins/the-nba-is-like-a-brotherhood/) [Jason Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-collins/) > [I've met many people who have come up to me and told me how my story has impacted them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-collins/i-ve-met-many-people-who-have-come-up-to-me-and-told-me-how-my-story/) [Jason Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-collins/) > [So, I got asked in January of 2014 to attend the State of the Union and sit as a guest in the first lady's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-collins/so-i-got-asked-in-january-of-2014-to-attend-the-state-of-the-union/) [Jason Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-collins/) > [There's only so many times you can write the story about the gay teammate.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-collins/there-s-only-so-many-times-you-can-write-the-story-about-the-gay/) [Jason Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-collins/) > [Openness may not completely disarm prejudice, but it's a good place to start.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-collins/openness-may-not-completely-disarm-prejudice-but-it-s-a-good-place-to/) [Jason Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-collins/) > [I knew that I was choosing the road less traveled but I'm not walking it alone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-collins/i-knew-that-i-was-choosing-the-road-less-traveled-but-i-m-not-walking/) [Jason Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-collins/) [Explore all 114 Jason Collins quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-collins/) ## More Blue quotes > [When I haven't any blue I use red.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pablo-picasso/when-i-haven-t-any-blue-i-use-red/) [Pablo Picasso](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pablo-picasso/) > [It is sometimes said that scientists are unromantic, that their passion to figure out robs the world of beauty and mystery. But is it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-sagan/it-is-sometimes-said-that-scientists-are-unromantic-that-their/) [Carl Sagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-sagan/) > [If you're white and you're wrong, then you're wrong; if you're black and you're wrong, you're wrong. People are people. Black, blue, pink, green…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-marley/if-you-re-white-and-you-re-wrong-then-you-re-wrong-if-you-re-black/) [Bob Marley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-marley/) > [Memory revises me. Even now a letter comes from a place I don’t know, from someone with my name and postmarked years ago, while…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/li-young-lee/memory-revises-me-even-now-a-letter-comes-from-a-place-i-don-t-know/) [Li-Young Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/li-young-lee/) > [Human beings should stick together. Honestly, if I see a red-haired person with blue eyes now, I say, 'Is your granny black?'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/grace-jones/human-beings-should-stick-together-honestly-if-i-see-a-red-haired/) [Grace Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/grace-jones/) > [The Louvre! The Louvre has me in its clutches. Every time I'm there rich blessings rain down upon me. I am coming to understand…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paula-modersohn-becker/the-louvre-the-louvre-has-me-in-its-clutches-every-time-i-m-there/) [Paula Modersohn-Becker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paula-modersohn-becker/) > [We live in a state with a wonderful climate and plenty of natural beauty, from the shores of Cumberland Island to the Chattahoochee River…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roy-barnes/we-live-in-a-state-with-a-wonderful-climate-and-plenty-of-natural/) [Roy Barnes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roy-barnes/) > [I had never done anything with blue screen before, or prosthetics, or anything like that. Lord of the Rings was like stepping into a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cate-blanchett/i-had-never-done-anything-with-blue-screen-before-or-prosthetics-or/) [Cate Blanchett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cate-blanchett/) > [UN peacekeeping operations are now increasingly complex and multi-dimensional, going beyond monitoring a ceasefire to actually bringing failed States back to life, often after…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kofi-annan/un-peacekeeping-operations-are-now-increasingly-complex-and-multi/) [Kofi Annan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kofi-annan/) > [Mother, she likes the blue material just fine.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ron-white/mother-she-likes-the-blue-material-just-fine/) [Ron White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ron-white/) > [You know, I'm the only one in this family who has no problems, . . . And you know why? Because any time I'm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/you-know-i-m-the-only-one-in-this-family-who-has-no-problems-and-you/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [it'll be this kind of deep blue”she said. “The kind of color that somehow sucks your eyes and your ears and all your words…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/banana-yoshimoto/it-ll-be-this-kind-of-deep-blue-she-said-the-kind-of-color-that/) [Banana Yoshimoto](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/banana-yoshimoto/) > [It is moonlight. Alone in the silence I ascend my stairs once more, While waves remote in pale blue starlight Crash on a white…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/conrad-aiken/it-is-moonlight-alone-in-the-silence-i-ascend-my-stairs-once-more/) [Conrad Aiken](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/conrad-aiken/) > [The grape Hyacinth is the favorite spring flower of my garden - but no! I though a minute ago the Scilla was! and what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-morse-earle/the-grape-hyacinth-is-the-favorite-spring-flower-of-my-garden-but-no/) [Alice Morse Earle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-morse-earle/) > [I swam with my first shark in the 1980s. I was 20 miles off the coast of Rhode Island, working with a group of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-skerry/i-swam-with-my-first-shark-in-the-1980s-i-was-20-miles-off-the-coast/) [Brian Skerry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-skerry/) [Browse all 3,452 Blue quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/blue/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "When I was younger I dated women. I even got engaged. I thought I had to live a certain way. I thought I needed to marry a woman and raise kids with her. 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