(For how i crafted these quotes, see What i changed in survey-takers' responses and What i didn't change.)
"We look to them as role models! It is so nice to see queer adults thriving, and young queer people need queer adults to look up to."
“We are going through very difficult things and are scared we need role models to help us."
"Seeing an older openly queer/LGBTQ person can really do a lot for young queer people. Be visible, if you can!"
"We look up to you as proof that we can get to a happy point in our lives."
"How much joy it brings us to see LGBTQIA+ adults existing, thriving, and advocating for us."
"It can be extremely powerful for younger people to see how they live their life and that it is possible to be happy, especially when their whole life they were told they would never be happy if they were part of the LGBTQA community."
"It's always comforting to see an older trans individual because it helps me feel comforted that someone has gotten where I'm wanting to be. It gives me a push to keep going."
"We need you to help fight for us. And we need you to be willing to live openly if you can. This is a scary time, and seeing lgbtq adults living free is inspiring. Anytime I see a trans adult, specifically one with grey hair, I feel hopeful that I can live that long and have a happy life. Older LGBTQ people are hope that I can make it that far."
"Just seeing them in public or showing up to events brings me to the verge of tears. It's a sign that people can make it, that we can be happy, and that we've been around for a long time. I'm in college now, and the vast majority of my friends are queer, but we're all in our 20s. It is so so special to see LGBTQA+/same-gender loving folks that are decades older than us, because it is easy to forget that they are here too with how little I get to see them, both out and about as well as in the media."
"They remind me that it gets better, that I deserve to be happy, and that queer kids can become happy adults."
"visibly being urself is 100% gonna help some queer kid in ur vicinity who's too nervous to tell u how much it means to them. i didn't even know it was an option to be queer until i was in middle school, i wish i'd had any representation in my life of ppl like me."
"Positivity is important in general. Don't ignore the bad things in the world but seeing positive lgbtq adults is probably the most helpful things for me."
"My friends are a gay couple. It has been very inspiring seeing a successful relationship in the community."
"They exist as older, visibly LGBTQA+ people. Their visible existence does so much already."
"it is extremely empowering to see ourselves reflected in the adults around us. I was so inspired by the first openly trans teacher I had. Representation really is all that it is made out to be, and if you are in a place where you can disclose your LGBTQA+ identity, it will help a young LGBTQ+ person."
"Young queer and trans children really look up to adults who they see as representative of themselves."
"They went through many of the things I am going through and they are proof that there's a light to the end of the tunnel."
"Sharing their experiences and history is inspiring and gives me hope. I love it when they work to provide resources for young queer people that they didn't get when they were young."
"I definitely enjoy speaking with trans adults, I don't know many at all, maybe 1 or 2 but it's nice to see that they exist and that I won't somehow grow out of my identity or that it's some sort of phase. I also enjoy having someone who shares my experiences there to guide me."
"Just seeing LGBTQA+ adults being open about their identities is unbelievably empowering to me--it gives me a sense of hope for my own future."
