RuPaul, Dustin Lance Black and other LGBTQ celebs offer inspiring messages for Pride: 'Never give up'
Gay Pride month is in full swing and that means a nonstop calendar of special events, from awards galas to openings, all packed with LGBTQ celebs. Yahoo Lifestyle caught up with many of them, both on the red carpet of the recent GLAAD Media Awards and on our own Build stage, to gather some words of wisdom and inspiration, both for young folks just coming out and for the community at large.
Watch, above, to hear all that was said, or read below to get a sampling of their heartfelt quotes.
“It is our job to reach out to these kids, let them know that they are loved. If they can’t find it anywhere else in the world, they should be able to find it in us.” —Kalen Allen, YouTube star
“I don’t think people celebrate, like, how heroic everybody is. And the power for change that every single person has.” —Jonathan Van Ness, Queer Eye cohost
“We’ve come from such horrible backgrounds. Just to see where we’re going now, I think everyone needs to say ‘congratulations’ to one another.” —Hailie Sahar, Pose actress
“You’ve got to be yourself. And you should be proud of who you are. And there are tons of people who love you and want to support you.” —Matthew Sklar, The Prom composer
“No matter who you are, no matter how you present or move through the world, you are worthy.” —Corey Camperchioli, actor
“Don’t allow prejudice, don’t allow discrimination, don’t allow unequal rights. Open your heart, never give up.” —Mykki Blanco, rapper and performance artist
“Reach your hands out across the table and treat each other like family… And, you know all those things that everybody told you to stop doing? Keep doing them.” — Alexandra Billings, Transparent actress
“You’re not alone. There are folks out here just like you — who look like you, who act like you, who love like you, who feel like you, who have dreams like you. And you can achieve them.” —Dyllón Burnside, Pose actor
“Sometimes you can fall, and there are people out there, definitely, who are going to try and make you feel small. But there’s also a community that loves you and embraces you.” —Gus Kenworthy, athlete
“Never feel prohibited, never feel like you are not enough. You are here for a reason.” —MJ Rodriguez, Pose actress
“You are more than the LGBT community: You are a person. You are just as valid, beautiful, and you belong just as much as anyone else.” —Indya Moore, Pose actress
“No matter what administration, no matter what outside force, no matter what other group does not accept us, we accept ourselves, and we have to stand up and stand together.” —Shangela, drag performer
“We have something that they don’t have: love, music, laughter, joy. We have colors, we have dancing, we have creativity. That’s how we inspire. Hold on to laughter. Stay in the joy. That is our secret weapon.” —RuPaul Charles, TV host
Read more from Yahoo Lifestyle:
LGBTQ-rights activist Jazz Jennings shares a message for Pride: ‘We deserve to exist freely’
Dominique Jackson of ‘Pose’ on LGBTQ Pride and culture: ‘Trans women have always been the nurturers’
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