--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I just, I was in such denial within…" description: "\"I just, I was in such denial within myself for the longest time, just because of the place I grew up in. Like, it wasn't common. I didn't know anybody ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e19/sonya-deville-10099_gay_i-just-i-was-in-such-denial-within-mysel_2310073.jpg" --- # I just, I was in such denial within myself for the longest… ![“I just, I was in such denial within myself for the longest time, just because of the place I grew up in. Like, it wasn't common. I didn't know anybody that was gay. I think I had one gay friend in high school and she never even, like, came out. It was just, like, we all just knew.” quote by Sonya Deville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e19/sonya-deville-10099_gay_i-just-i-was-in-such-denial-within-mysel_2310073.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e19/sonya-deville-10099_gay_i-just-i-was-in-such-denial-within-mysel_2310073.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e19/sonya-deville-10099_gay_i-just-i-was-in-such-denial-within-mysel_2310073.jpg) > “I just, I was in such denial within myself for the longest time, just because of the place I grew up in. Like, it wasn't common. I didn't know anybody that was gay. I think I had one gay friend in high school and she never even, like, came out. It was just, like, we all just knew.” [Sonya Deville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sonya-deville/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Denial stems from growing up in an environment lacking representation, causing internal conflict. **In simple terms:** Lack of visible role models can cause self‑denial. Key Takeaway Seek supportive communities to validate identity. Themes identity acceptance social environment Mood empathetic hopeful Type personal inspirational When to use this quote - coming out - mental health counseling - support groups - educational workshops Key Concepts self‑acceptance community representation Questions to Reflect On - How did your environment shape your self‑view? - What steps can you take to find representation? A Different Perspective Isolation can intensify denial without external support. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Gay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gay/) [Gay friend](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gay-friend/) [High school](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/high-school/) [Homosexuality](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/homosexuality/) [School](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/school/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) ## Related quotes > [That pains me in my heart to think that someone who is gay would think that I don't love them and care about them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kirk-cameron/that-pains-me-in-my-heart-to-think-that-someone-who-is-gay-would/) [Kirk Cameron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kirk-cameron/) > [Some people think I am gay, which I think is awesome.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-radcliffe/some-people-think-i-am-gay-which-i-think-is-awesome/) [Daniel Radcliffe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-radcliffe/) > [I can imagine that if you're a kid growing up somewhere, where you might be gay or you think you're gay, but you don't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rib-hillis/i-can-imagine-that-if-you-re-a-kid-growing-up-somewhere-where-you/) [Rib Hillis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rib-hillis/) > [Hope is just the denial of fate.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jake-doyle/hope-is-just-the-denial-of-fate/) Jake Doyle > [ \[I think there are a lot of Americans who are very scared \] that Donald Trump and his campaign, or his future administration, is… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-j-dionne/i-think-there-are-a-lot-of-americans-who-are-very-scared-that-donald/) [E. J. Dionne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-j-dionne/) > [I've been a homosexual all my life. My partner and I don't want to stand up and say we're gay, because we think that's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nigel-hawthorne/i-ve-been-a-homosexual-all-my-life-my-partner-and-i-don-t-want-to/) [Nigel Hawthorne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nigel-hawthorne/) > [People say, 'When did you decide you were gay?' and you think, 'When did you decide you were heterosexual?' It's not a decision: it's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sandi-toksvig/people-say-when-did-you-decide-you-were-gay-and-you-think-when-did/) [Sandi Toksvig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sandi-toksvig/) > [I'm not homophobic at all and I have a lot of gay friends.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephanie-rice/i-m-not-homophobic-at-all-and-i-have-a-lot-of-gay-friends/) [Stephanie Rice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephanie-rice/) > [When my brother-in-law, BIll Clinton, was elected, he had gay friends. That was a coming out.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-clinton/when-my-brother-in-law-bill-clinton-was-elected-he-had-gay-friends/) [Kate Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-clinton/) > [The last time I checked, the only difference between my gay friends and I is who we choose to love. I'm not sure how…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pink/the-last-time-i-checked-the-only-difference-between-my-gay-friends/) [Pink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pink/) > [My friend's mom said to me, 'honey, I think you're gay.' And I go, 'yeah, I am.' As soon as someone vocalized it to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sonya-deville/my-friend-s-mom-said-to-me-honey-i-think-you-re-gay-and-i-go-yeah-i/) [Sonya Deville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sonya-deville/) > [People who think I'm gay, some part of me thinks it's wonderful. Because I want to challenge people on their homophobia. I love seeing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cory-booker/people-who-think-i-m-gay-some-part-of-me-thinks-it-s-wonderful/) [Cory Booker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cory-booker/) > [I really brought that with me: that people think gay people are disgusting... I remember thinking, 'Okay, I might be gay. But I won't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-rippon/i-really-brought-that-with-me-that-people-think-gay-people-are/) [Adam Rippon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-rippon/) > [I don't think I'm a gay icon. I have no axe to grind. I mean, I'm clearly not homophobic! I'm not pro or con.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-o/i-don-t-think-i-m-a-gay-icon-i-have-no-axe-to-grind-i-mean-i-m/) [Steve-O](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-o/) > [I think honestly, some people who think they're gay, they're confused.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stevie-wonder/i-think-honestly-some-people-who-think-they-re-gay-they-re-confused/) [Stevie Wonder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stevie-wonder/) ## More by Sonya Deville > [I look up to and have learned a lot from the women before me. With that said, there has never been a woman in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sonya-deville/i-look-up-to-and-have-learned-a-lot-from-the-women-before-me-with/) [Sonya Deville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sonya-deville/) > [It's important to not have my sexuality define me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sonya-deville/it-s-important-to-not-have-my-sexuality-define-me/) [Sonya Deville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sonya-deville/) > [From a very early age, I realized why I was put on this planet: to fight.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sonya-deville/from-a-very-early-age-i-realized-why-i-was-put-on-this-planet-to-fight/) [Sonya Deville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sonya-deville/) > [I have a theory that confidence comes from self-worth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sonya-deville/i-have-a-theory-that-confidence-comes-from-self-worth/) [Sonya Deville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sonya-deville/) > [I do feel pressure, but I put it on myself because I want to represent the LGBTQ community in a place where they've never…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sonya-deville/i-do-feel-pressure-but-i-put-it-on-myself-because-i-want-to-represent/) [Sonya Deville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sonya-deville/) > [I just think I'm very honest and I say how I feel. Some people like that about me. Some people hate that about me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sonya-deville/i-just-think-i-m-very-honest-and-i-say-how-i-feel-some-people-like/) [Sonya Deville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sonya-deville/) > [When I was 14 years old, I said, 'Mom, I want to fight MMA.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sonya-deville/when-i-was-14-years-old-i-said-mom-i-want-to-fight-mma/) [Sonya Deville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sonya-deville/) > [Sonya is the way she is for a reason and I love enlightening the fans on what those things are because so many people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sonya-deville/sonya-is-the-way-she-is-for-a-reason-and-i-love-enlightening-the-fans/) [Sonya Deville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sonya-deville/) > [It's not a good feeling to hide a huge part of your life. If you were meant to be somebody else, you'd be somebody…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sonya-deville/it-s-not-a-good-feeling-to-hide-a-huge-part-of-your-life-if-you-were/) [Sonya Deville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sonya-deville/) > [To force something that was not organic to who I am was tough on me, and so I can relate to all those girls…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sonya-deville/to-force-something-that-was-not-organic-to-who-i-am-was-tough-on-me/) [Sonya Deville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sonya-deville/) > [I've had tattoos since I was like 16, but if you would have asked the younger me to get a tattoo that symbolized my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sonya-deville/i-ve-had-tattoos-since-i-was-like-16-but-if-you-would-have-asked-the/) [Sonya Deville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sonya-deville/) > [Acting is my love.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sonya-deville/acting-is-my-love/) [Sonya Deville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sonya-deville/) > [I've never dealt with really anything negative in the WWE as a whole, in the locker room, anything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sonya-deville/i-ve-never-dealt-with-really-anything-negative-in-the-wwe-as-a-whole/) [Sonya Deville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sonya-deville/) > [I think back to when I was in high school, to 17-year old Daria, who was dating guys and thought that that was the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sonya-deville/i-think-back-to-when-i-was-in-high-school-to-17-year-old-daria-who/) [Sonya Deville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sonya-deville/) > [I'm the first-ever openly gay female in the WWE.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sonya-deville/i-m-the-first-ever-openly-gay-female-in-the-wwe/) [Sonya Deville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sonya-deville/) [Explore all 68 Sonya Deville quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sonya-deville/) ## More Gay quotes > [As a child, I had a lot of older gay men taking care of me. There's a trust there. I feel like little girls…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-cho/as-a-child-i-had-a-lot-of-older-gay-men-taking-care-of-me-there-s-a/) [Margaret Cho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-cho/) > [I'm not against gay people. I have a relative who is also gay. We can't help it if they were born that way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/manny-pacquiao/i-m-not-against-gay-people-i-have-a-relative-who-is-also-gay-we-can-t/) [Manny Pacquiao](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/manny-pacquiao/) > [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/) > [Each of us is precious to God because each of us has their name written on the palms of God's hands. And God says…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/desmond-tutu/each-of-us-is-precious-to-god-because-each-of-us-has-their-name/) [Desmond Tutu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/desmond-tutu/) > [“A disproportionate number of stories are love stories – and what is homosexuality but a special narrative of love?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-bram/a-disproportionate-number-of-stories-are-love-stories-and-what-is/) [Christopher Bram](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-bram/) > [The Bible is to gays what Mein Kampf is to Jews.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-tatchell/the-bible-is-to-gays-what-mein-kampf-is-to-jews/) [Peter Tatchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-tatchell/) > [I had to smile when stories emerged questioning whether I was gay. Obviously I knew I wasn't but people were curiously desperate to suggest…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-radcliffe/i-had-to-smile-when-stories-emerged-questioning-whether-i-was-gay/) [Daniel Radcliffe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-radcliffe/) > [Jesus never said a word about homosexuality. In all of his teachings about multiple things - he never said that gay people should be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-carter/jesus-never-said-a-word-about-homosexuality-in-all-of-his-teachings/) [Jimmy Carter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-carter/) > [Any home where there is love constitutes a family and all families should have the same legal rights, including the right to marry and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-taylor/any-home-where-there-is-love-constitutes-a-family-and-all-families/) [Elizabeth Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-taylor/) > [Since 'coming out,' I've marched in gay pride parades all around the world, I've filled my home full of rainbow tat and I've become…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/liz-carr/since-coming-out-i-ve-marched-in-gay-pride-parades-all-around-the/) [Liz Carr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/liz-carr/) > [I tend to get reactions just by being on screen, because I guess I'm physically queer-coded or something. Especially with 'Star Wars;' I get…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katy-o-brian/i-tend-to-get-reactions-just-by-being-on-screen-because-i-guess-i-m/) [Katy O'Brian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katy-o-brian/) > [I didn't have any role models. I really thought I was doomed to this loveless, lonely life. I didn't know any gay people until…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryan-batt/i-didn-t-have-any-role-models-i-really-thought-i-was-doomed-to-this/) [Bryan Batt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryan-batt/) > [ That is another theme in the book \[Dreams from My Father\]. How do we exercise more empathy in our public discourse? How do we… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/that-is-another-theme-in-the-book-dreams-from-my-father-how-do-we/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [Western culture is what keeps women and gays safe.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/milo-yiannopoulos/western-culture-is-what-keeps-women-and-gays-safe/) [Milo Yiannopoulos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/milo-yiannopoulos/) > [Unless you're of a certain age, you may not know my name, but you can Google it - I was a pretty big movie…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tab-hunter/unless-you-re-of-a-certain-age-you-may-not-know-my-name-but-you-can/) [Tab Hunter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tab-hunter/) [Browse all 5,038 Gay quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gay/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I just, I was in such denial within myself for the longest time, just because of the place I grew up in. Like, it wasn't common. 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