--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I didn't always see someone that I could…" description: "\"I didn't always see someone that I could relate to, that would tell me that being Black and gay is okay.\" — MNEK" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1a9/mnek-7800_always_i-didn-t-always-see-someone-that-i-could_767403.jpg" --- # I didn't always see someone that I could relate to, that… ![“I didn't always see someone that I could relate to, that would tell me that being Black and gay is okay.” quote by MNEK](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1a9/mnek-7800_always_i-didn-t-always-see-someone-that-i-could_767403.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1a9/mnek-7800_always_i-didn-t-always-see-someone-that-i-could_767403.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1a9/mnek-7800_always_i-didn-t-always-see-someone-that-i-could_767403.jpg) > “I didn't always see someone that I could relate to, that would tell me that being Black and gay is okay.” [MNEK](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mnek/) ## 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 on lacking representation and affirmation of Black gay identity during earlier life. **In simple terms:** Need for visible role models. Key Takeaway Seek and create inclusive spaces. Themes identity representation Lness Mood hopeful reflective Type personal social When to use this quote - LGBTQ+ advocacy - media representation - mental health support Key Concepts intersectionality visibility community support Questions to Reflect On - How can you support others like you? - What platforms can amplify diverse voices? A Different Perspective Progress may be slow and met with resistance. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Always](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/always/) [Being](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/being/) [Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/black/) [Black Gay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/black-gay-318786/) [Didn Relate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/didn-relate-1414080/) [Gay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gay/) [Gay Okay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gay-okay-2821406/) [Homosexuality](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/homosexuality/) [Okay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/okay/) [Relate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/relate/) [Relate Tell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/relate-tell-5939721/) ## Related quotes > [I didn't relate well to people my age. Maybe the truth was that I didn't relate well to people, period. Even my mother, who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephenie-meyer/i-didn-t-relate-well-to-people-my-age-maybe-the-truth-was-that-i-didn/) [Stephenie Meyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephenie-meyer/) > [People didn't relate to me as being Chinese or white, just being a hippie, a long-haired hippie.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tommy-chong/people-didn-t-relate-to-me-as-being-chinese-or-white-just-being-a/) [Tommy Chong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tommy-chong/) > [I've passed up opportunities. I've avoided the spotlight. I've never been to Academy Awards, didn't relate to them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-dean-stanton/i-ve-passed-up-opportunities-i-ve-avoided-the-spotlight-i-ve-never/) [Harry Dean Stanton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-dean-stanton/) > [“Hey, is this what they call the gay agenda?" Spirit Wire called. "Gay boys indoctrinating two innocent, uber straight girls with dirty same-sex kissing?"…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hayden-thorne/hey-is-this-what-they-call-the-gay-agenda-spirit-wire-called-gay-boys/) [Hayden Thorne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hayden-thorne/) > [Just because you're into Kate...well, it doesn't necessarily mean you're gay. Although it's okay if you are. But if that's what's worrying you...' Ariel…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lauren-myracle/just-because-you-re-into-kate-well-it-doesn-t-necessarily-mean-you-re/) [Lauren Myracle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lauren-myracle/) > [It'll be taught in homes that it's not okay to make fun of a kid because he's gay or it's not okay to make…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lena-dunham/it-ll-be-taught-in-homes-that-it-s-not-okay-to-make-fun-of-a-kid/) [Lena Dunham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lena-dunham/) > [The perspective that I come from when I sing, when I perform, is of who I am as a black gay man.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mnek/the-perspective-that-i-come-from-when-i-sing-when-i-perform-is-of-who/) [MNEK](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mnek/) > [I don't think there's been many chances for people to see a black, gay, pop experience and that's what I want to have with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mnek/i-don-t-think-there-s-been-many-chances-for-people-to-see-a-black-gay/) [MNEK](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mnek/) > [Some of white middle America haven't seen a black gay guy in a music video before.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mnek/some-of-white-middle-america-haven-t-seen-a-black-gay-guy-in-a-music/) [MNEK](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mnek/) > [I make pop music. I make music that is pretty commercial. But, at the same time, I'm a minority within a minority and it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mnek/i-make-pop-music-i-make-music-that-is-pretty-commercial-but-at-the/) [MNEK](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mnek/) > [Black gay activists should try to build coalitions of people for the elimination of all injustice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bayard-rustin/black-gay-activists-should-try-to-build-coalitions-of-people-for-the/) [Bayard Rustin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bayard-rustin/) > [From 1968 on, I was pretty much the black, gay SF writer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-r-delany/from-1968-on-i-was-pretty-much-the-black-gay-sf-writer/) [Samuel R. Delany](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-r-delany/) > [America wasn't interested in the roots of house music because it was too black, it was too gay, it was all these things, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/felix-buxton/america-wasn-t-interested-in-the-roots-of-house-music-because-it-was/) [Felix Buxton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/felix-buxton/) > [I'm black and I'm gay.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-collins/i-m-black-and-i-m-gay/) [Jason Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-collins/) > [I'm a black, gay man, and I should be able to live in a world where I'm able to live in the complexity of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deray-mckesson/i-m-a-black-gay-man-and-i-should-be-able-to-live-in-a-world-where-i-m/) [DeRay Mckesson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deray-mckesson/) ## More by MNEK > [When I wrote 'Paradise,' it was going to be an interlude - like a segue from the song before. Then I just added more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mnek/when-i-wrote-paradise-it-was-going-to-be-an-interlude-like-a-segue/) [MNEK](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mnek/) > [I almost get quite scared talking about it. It's happened, obviously. I did meet Madonna and I did work with her.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mnek/i-almost-get-quite-scared-talking-about-it-it-s-happened-obviously-i/) [MNEK](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mnek/) > [The way Beyonce works, the song is a jigsaw piece and then she will piece various elements.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mnek/the-way-beyonce-works-the-song-is-a-jigsaw-piece-and-then-she-will/) [MNEK](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mnek/) > [If I'm writing a song for Karen Harding, I know I can't impose what I want to say onto her. I literally have to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mnek/if-i-m-writing-a-song-for-karen-harding-i-know-i-can-t-impose-what-i/) [MNEK](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mnek/) > [There's an underlying sense with 'Tongue' that... it's really... it's real. I mean that in the sense that now I'm not afraid to touch…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mnek/there-s-an-underlying-sense-with-tongue-that-it-s-really-it-s-real-i/) [MNEK](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mnek/) > [I always knew I wanted to work in music. There was no plan B.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mnek/i-always-knew-i-wanted-to-work-in-music-there-was-no-plan-b/) [MNEK](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mnek/) > [I'm very thankful that I'm in a position where I'll never be without a session. I'll always have someone who will want to get…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mnek/i-m-very-thankful-that-i-m-in-a-position-where-i-ll-never-be-without/) [MNEK](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mnek/) > [I keep quiet and let the music do the talking.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mnek/i-keep-quiet-and-let-the-music-do-the-talking/) [MNEK](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mnek/) > [I think 'Girlfriend' in particular is definitely one of the songs that is angled towards early 2000s, late '90s, R&B pop and those kinds…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mnek/i-think-girlfriend-in-particular-is-definitely-one-of-the-songs-that/) [MNEK](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mnek/) > [Having the opportunity to work with someone like Beyonce is definitely going to hopefully open a few doors.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mnek/having-the-opportunity-to-work-with-someone-like-beyonce-is/) [MNEK](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mnek/) > [We have a lot of black British men who are killing it: John Boyega, Stormzy, Anthony Joshua, Tinie Tempah, and Idris Elba, of course.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mnek/we-have-a-lot-of-black-british-men-who-are-killing-it-john-boyega/) [MNEK](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mnek/) > [I love Usher's 'Confessions.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mnek/i-love-usher-s-confessions/) [MNEK](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mnek/) > [I don't feel pressure, I think there's fun to have. And I want to show that being gay and of color doesn't have to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mnek/i-don-t-feel-pressure-i-think-there-s-fun-to-have-and-i-want-to-show/) [MNEK](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mnek/) > [I was someone who knew what they wanted to do for so long. I was always fascinated by music, always a student of pop.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mnek/i-was-someone-who-knew-what-they-wanted-to-do-for-so-long-i-was/) [MNEK](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mnek/) > [I think there's so many amazing LGBTQ artists, ranging from commercial to underground, that are influencing people at large.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mnek/i-think-there-s-so-many-amazing-lgbtq-artists-ranging-from-commercial/) [MNEK](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mnek/) [Explore all 87 MNEK quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mnek/) ## More Always quotes > [I think performing has pretty much always been a part of me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isa-briones/i-think-performing-has-pretty-much-always-been-a-part-of-me/) [Isa Briones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/isa-briones/) > [I always thought if I was born 2000 years earlier, I would be a monk, probably carving a monastery or some giant pantheon buildings.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jenova-chen/i-always-thought-if-i-was-born-2000-years-earlier-i-would-be-a-monk/) [Jenova Chen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jenova-chen/) > [I always like a character who makes me laugh.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachael-stirling/i-always-like-a-character-who-makes-me-laugh/) [Rachael Stirling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachael-stirling/) > [It's always great to see old friends, especially those I have not been able to see in 15 months.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-regal/it-s-always-great-to-see-old-friends-especially-those-i-have-not-been/) [William Regal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-regal/) > [When you step out and do a song in a musical, the easier thing to do is make it funny. But when those transitions…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelli-o-hara/when-you-step-out-and-do-a-song-in-a-musical-the-easier-thing-to-do/) [Kelli O'Hara](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelli-o-hara/) > [I have really good lateral movement. I've always had quick lateral movement.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/austin-rivers/i-have-really-good-lateral-movement-i-ve-always-had-quick-lateral/) [Austin Rivers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/austin-rivers/) > [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/) > [Mythology is something that always has opportunities to explore. 'It' has been on Earth for millions of years. He's been in contact with humans…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-muschietti/mythology-is-something-that-always-has-opportunities-to-explore-it/) [Andy Muschietti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-muschietti/) > [It's not writing in the traditional sense, but I've always said that the writing process continues on the set and even into the editing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-b-weide/it-s-not-writing-in-the-traditional-sense-but-i-ve-always-said-that/) [Robert B. Weide](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-b-weide/) > [I always watch my matches back 100 times afterwards because that's how I improve. This is something I've always done, even in NXT.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mandy-rose/i-always-watch-my-matches-back-100-times-afterwards-because-that-s/) [Mandy Rose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mandy-rose/) > [I've always been of the idea that is doesn't really matter where you are geographically - with 'Lonerism,' we made half the album in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-parker/i-ve-always-been-of-the-idea-that-is-doesn-t-really-matter-where-you/) [Kevin Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-parker/) > [It's very easy to fool yourself that you're working, you know, when you're really not working very hard. I mean, I'm very lazy. So…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-caro/it-s-very-easy-to-fool-yourself-that-you-re-working-you-know-when-you/) [Robert Caro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-caro/) > [Whether it was Little League or playing with your brothers or sisters, that was always a problem. If I would lose - because I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cal-ripken-jr/whether-it-was-little-league-or-playing-with-your-brothers-or-sisters/) [Cal Ripken, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cal-ripken-jr/) > [I always say if you put someone from a small town into a big city for ten years, then when they go back, they'll…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-colter/i-always-say-if-you-put-someone-from-a-small-town-into-a-big-city-for/) [Mike Colter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-colter/) > [Bayern is always a team that can win the Champions League title in Europe.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lothar-matthaus/bayern-is-always-a-team-that-can-win-the-champions-league-title-in/) [Lothar Matthaus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lothar-matthaus/) [Browse all 36,048 Always quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/always/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I didn't always see someone that I could relate to, that would tell me that being Black and gay is okay.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "MNEK" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mnek/i-didn-t-always-see-someone-that-i-could-relate-to-that-would-tell-me/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Always" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mnek/i-didn-t-always-see-someone-that-i-could-relate-to-that-would-tell-me/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1a9/mnek-7800_always_i-didn-t-always-see-someone-that-i-could_767403.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1a9/mnek-7800_always_i-didn-t-always-see-someone-that-i-could_767403.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1a9/mnek-7800_always_i-didn-t-always-see-someone-that-i-could_767403.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I didn't always see someone that I could relate to, that would tell me that being Black and gay is okay.” — MNEK", "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": "MNEK", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mnek/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "I didn't always see someone that...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mnek/i-didn-t-always-see-someone-that-i-could-relate-to-that-would-tell-me/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mnek/i-didn-t-always-see-someone-that-i-could-relate-to-that-would-tell-me/#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 } } ] } ```