--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I'm not sure when I first knew that I was…" description: "\"I'm not sure when I first knew that I was gay.\" — Mary Cheney" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4c1/mary-cheney-24078_firsts_i-m-not-sure-when-i-first-knew-that-i-wa_361274.png" --- # I'm not sure when I first knew that I was gay. ![“I'm not sure when I first knew that I was gay.” quote by Mary Cheney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4c1/mary-cheney-24078_firsts_i-m-not-sure-when-i-first-knew-that-i-wa_361274.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4c1/mary-cheney-24078_firsts_i-m-not-sure-when-i-first-knew-that-i-wa_361274.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4c1/mary-cheney-24078_firsts_i-m-not-sure-when-i-first-knew-that-i-wa_361274.png) > “I'm not sure when I first knew that I was gay.” [Mary Cheney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-cheney/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The speaker reflects uncertainty about when they first realized their sexual orientation, highlighting the fluidity of self‑discovery. **In simple terms:** Unclear moment of realizing being gay. Key Takeaway Accept uncertainty and explore identity. Themes identity self‑discovery LGBTQ+ personal growth Mood introspective thoughtful Type personal reflective When to use this quote - coming out - personal reflection - support groups - counseling Key Concepts sexual orientation self‑awareness Questions to Reflect On - When did you first feel a shift in self‑identity? - How do societal expectations affect personal awareness? A Different Perspective Self‑recognition can be delayed by social pressures. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Gay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gay/) [Homosexuality](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/homosexuality/) ## Related quotes > [I suppose I knew I was gay at age 11 or so.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-amaechi/i-suppose-i-knew-i-was-gay-at-age-11-or-so/) [John Amaechi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-amaechi/) > [I knew that I was gay, I knew it. I just couldn't see myself as a gay woman, even though that's where my heart…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/portia-de-rossi/i-knew-that-i-was-gay-i-knew-it-i-just-couldn-t-see-myself-as-a-gay/) [Portia de Rossi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/portia-de-rossi/) > [“I was so sure that I knew what they needed and what I wanted to sell them that I never stopped long enough to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-murray/i-was-so-sure-that-i-knew-what-they-needed-and-what-i-wanted-to-sell/) [Chris Murray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-murray/) > [I knew that I was a gay boy fairly early; what was interesting to me was that my mother didn't know. She made me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nate-berkus/i-knew-that-i-was-a-gay-boy-fairly-early-what-was-interesting-to-me/) [Nate Berkus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nate-berkus/) > [I knew I was gay at 18, but to come out then would have meant I would not have achieved what I did in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gareth-thomas/i-knew-i-was-gay-at-18-but-to-come-out-then-would-have-meant-i-would/) [Gareth Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gareth-thomas/) > [“and at first i didn't really know jed was although i was sure he knew that i was but gradually we both knew and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-levithan/and-at-first-i-didn-t-really-know-jed-was-although-i-was-sure-he-knew/) [David Levithan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-levithan/) > [When I was at Le Havre, I was always sure of myself. I knew I'd make it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/riyad-mahrez/when-i-was-at-le-havre-i-was-always-sure-of-myself-i-knew-i-d-make-it/) [Riyad Mahrez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/riyad-mahrez/) > [“I knew I was making you uncomfortable, but I just had to make sure.” “So you knew all this time?” “Let’s say I was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andre-aciman/i-knew-i-was-making-you-uncomfortable-but-i-just-had-to-make-sure-so/) [André Aciman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andre-aciman/) > [I always knew I'd be an actor. I always knew I'd at least be on a big screen somewhere. Everyone else I was watching,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keith-stanfield/i-always-knew-i-d-be-an-actor-i-always-knew-i-d-at-least-be-on-a-big/) [Keith Stanfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keith-stanfield/) > [I'd made sure I knew his name. 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I was sure I knew…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dream-theater/i-never-wanted-to-become-someone-like-him-so-secure-content-to-live/) [Dream Theater](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dream-theater/) > [“I never doubted I would have a roof over my head, a school to go to, enough to to eat, books (and newspapers) to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chelsea-clinton/i-never-doubted-i-would-have-a-roof-over-my-head-a-school-to-go-to/) [Chelsea Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chelsea-clinton/) > [I don't know how you're standing here. Yet you haven't broken. Not where it matters. Having come this far, I'm not sure you can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brandon-mull/i-don-t-know-how-you-re-standing-here-yet-you-haven-t-broken-not/) [Brandon Mull](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brandon-mull/) > [If you're very open to watching the world go by, with people's different tics, you absorb it all without realizing it and find ways…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-blunt/if-you-re-very-open-to-watching-the-world-go-by-with-people-s/) [Emily Blunt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-blunt/) ## More by Mary Cheney > [It won't take 40 years for opposition to same-sex marriage to dissipate.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-cheney/it-won-t-take-40-years-for-opposition-to-same-sex-marriage-to/) [Mary Cheney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-cheney/) > [It's always better to deliver the news yourself rather than allow your boss to be surprised.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-cheney/it-s-always-better-to-deliver-the-news-yourself-rather-than-allow/) [Mary Cheney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-cheney/) > [It wasn't a secret that I was gay. I'd come out to my parents during my junior year of high school, on the day…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-cheney/it-wasn-t-a-secret-that-i-was-gay-i-d-come-out-to-my-parents-during/) [Mary Cheney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-cheney/) > [The vice presidential candidate tends to be a bit of an afterthought.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-cheney/the-vice-presidential-candidate-tends-to-be-a-bit-of-an-afterthought/) [Mary Cheney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-cheney/) > [I didnt know that President Bush would endorse a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-cheney/i-didnt-know-that-president-bush-would-endorse-a-constitutional/) [Mary Cheney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-cheney/) > [I'm probably a little more like my dad. But because of my mom, I never saw being a woman as being an impediment to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-cheney/i-m-probably-a-little-more-like-my-dad-but-because-of-my-mom-i-never/) [Mary Cheney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-cheney/) > [Campaigning in Wyoming is politics at its most retail level. It's done one voter at a time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-cheney/campaigning-in-wyoming-is-politics-at-its-most-retail-level-it-s-done/) [Mary Cheney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-cheney/) > [Life would be so much harder if I had to lie about who I was.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-cheney/life-would-be-so-much-harder-if-i-had-to-lie-about-who-i-was/) [Mary Cheney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-cheney/) > [I'd rather not be known as the Vice President's lesbian daughter.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-cheney/i-d-rather-not-be-known-as-the-vice-president-s-lesbian-daughter/) [Mary Cheney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-cheney/) > [Early numbers are always wrong.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-cheney/early-numbers-are-always-wrong/) [Mary Cheney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-cheney/) > [John Kerry didn't out me, nor did he offend or attack me by calling me a lesbian. I certainly couldn't be offended by the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-cheney/john-kerry-didn-t-out-me-nor-did-he-offend-or-attack-me-by-calling-me/) [Mary Cheney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-cheney/) > [I would also hope that no one would think about trying to amend the constitution as a political strategy,](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-cheney/i-would-also-hope-that-no-one-would-think-about-trying-to-amend-the/) [Mary Cheney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-cheney/) > [In the 1980s, there weren't a lot of role models for gay teenagers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-cheney/in-the-1980s-there-weren-t-a-lot-of-role-models-for-gay-teenagers/) [Mary Cheney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-cheney/) > [I had to admit I'd pretty much failed at the whole low-profile thing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-cheney/i-had-to-admit-i-d-pretty-much-failed-at-the-whole-low-profile-thing/) [Mary Cheney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-cheney/) > [I didn't know that President Bush would endorse a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-cheney/i-didn-t-know-that-president-bush-would-endorse-a-constitutional/) [Mary Cheney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-cheney/) [Explore all 25 Mary Cheney quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-cheney/) ## More Firsts quotes > [I always say there are two things to be successful. The first is decide exactly what you want - set your goals - and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-tracy/i-always-say-there-are-two-things-to-be-successful-the-first-is/) [Brian Tracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-tracy/) > [My first ever job after college was as a flight attendant. I wanted to travel and could not afford it, so I decided to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacqueline-winspear/my-first-ever-job-after-college-was-as-a-flight-attendant-i-wanted-to/) [Jacqueline Winspear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacqueline-winspear/) > [Since I worked with Danny Boyle before on Slumdog Millionaire, we have great success and everything. So, when I first got the script and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-r-rahman/since-i-worked-with-danny-boyle-before-on-slumdog-millionaire-we-have/) [A. R. Rahman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/a-r-rahman/) > [You sort of can't talk about the post production unless you talk about what comes first.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-greengrass/you-sort-of-can-t-talk-about-the-post-production-unless-you-talk/) [Paul Greengrass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-greengrass/) > [I'm a business first and foremost so whatever my business is, it's separate from my personal. It's like whatever I do business wise, it's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/snoop-dogg/i-m-a-business-first-and-foremost-so-whatever-my-business-is-it-s/) [Snoop Dogg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/snoop-dogg/) > [A man walks down the street. It's a street in a strange world. Maybe it's the third world. Maybe it's his first time around.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-simon/a-man-walks-down-the-street-it-s-a-street-in-a-strange-world-maybe-it/) [Paul Simon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-simon/) > [I did not know that the planning for biological and chemical warfare was so widespread in England, and even in France before France fell.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicholson-baker/i-did-not-know-that-the-planning-for-biological-and-chemical-warfare/) [Nicholson Baker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicholson-baker/) > [The biggest change for me as a mom was realizing I needed to put someone else before me. Now the hardest part about the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kim-alexis/the-biggest-change-for-me-as-a-mom-was-realizing-i-needed-to-put/) [Kim Alexis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kim-alexis/) > [When I first started, my message was about joy, but I didn't really have the vocabulary and life experience to fully deliver it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-mraz/when-i-first-started-my-message-was-about-joy-but-i-didn-t-really/) [Jason Mraz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-mraz/) > [I'm very used to working with first time actors - you can just look back at 'E.T.' with Drew Barrymore, and Christian Bale from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-spielberg/i-m-very-used-to-working-with-first-time-actors-you-can-just-look/) [Steven Spielberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-spielberg/) > [I have lifted my plane . . . for perhaps a thousand flights and I have never felt her wheels glide from the Earth…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/beryl-markham/i-have-lifted-my-plane-for-perhaps-a-thousand-flights-and-i-have/) [Beryl Markham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/beryl-markham/) > [We need a system that serves our needs, not the needs of others. Remember, under a Trump administration it's called America first. Remember that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-trump/we-need-a-system-that-serves-our-needs-not-the-needs-of-others/) [Donald Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-trump/) > [The U.S.-Mexican border es un herida abierta where the Third World grates against the first and bleeds. And before a scab forms it hemorrhages…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gloria-e-anzald-a/the-u-s-mexican-border-es-un-herida-abierta-where-the-third-world/) [Gloria E. Anzaldúa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gloria-e-anzald-a/) > [Meanwhile someone is shining my head to get it dry to attach my top-hat to my head with toupee tape. I get into microphone…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tituss-burgess/meanwhile-someone-is-shining-my-head-to-get-it-dry-to-attach-my-top/) [Tituss Burgess](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tituss-burgess/) > [Peace is the first thing the angels sang. Peace is the mark of the children of God. Peace is the nurse of love. Peace…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-leo-i/peace-is-the-first-thing-the-angels-sang-peace-is-the-mark-of-the/) [Pope Leo I](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-leo-i/) Browse all 32,432 Firsts quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I'm not sure when I first knew that I was gay.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Mary Cheney" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-cheney/i-m-not-sure-when-i-first-knew-that-i-was-gay/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Firsts" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-cheney/i-m-not-sure-when-i-first-knew-that-i-was-gay/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4c1/mary-cheney-24078_firsts_i-m-not-sure-when-i-first-knew-that-i-wa_361274.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4c1/mary-cheney-24078_firsts_i-m-not-sure-when-i-first-knew-that-i-wa_361274.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4c1/mary-cheney-24078_firsts_i-m-not-sure-when-i-first-knew-that-i-wa_361274.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I'm not sure when I first knew that I was gay.” — Mary Cheney", "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": "Mary Cheney", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-cheney/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "I'm not sure when I first...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-cheney/i-m-not-sure-when-i-first-knew-that-i-was-gay/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-cheney/i-m-not-sure-when-i-first-knew-that-i-was-gay/#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 } } ] } ```