40 Jonathan Van Ness Quotes on His Journey and the LGBTQ+ Experience

Jonathan Van Ness was born in 1987 in Illinois in the United States of America. They grew up to be many things, but at their core and outside their many labels, they value the truth and equity above everything. Learn more about this fabulous character by reading the 40 quotes below.

Van Ness, who is non-binary, is a professional hairstylist, writer, comedian, and podcaster. Mainly, and what they are most known for, is their acting and production.

"Gay of Thrones," "Spinning Out," and, of course, "Queer Eye" are all productions that they were involved in. Find out more about them by reading 40 of their quotes.

Jonathan Van Ness’s quote: “We have a huge number of LGBTQ people whose stories do not get told." | Source: AmoDays

Jonathan Van Ness on the LGBTQ+ Experience

“It’s important for people to be able to see themselves in entertainment. 'Will and Grace' and, 'Queer as Folk' and 'Queer Eye' the first version, they were all indicators that there were a lot of possibilities for me.” — Jonathan Van Ness

"It wasn't an option for me to be closeted or to keep it to myself. Sky's blue, grass is green. Can't fight it.” — Jonathan Van Ness

“I do think that, in general, we are quick to congratulate ourselves for having this sense of representation, but having two shows that we can name off the top of our head that have a queer POV is not enough—no tea, no shade, no pink lemonade to you or anyone else. But we have a huge number of LGBTQ people whose stories do not get told. With all due respect, there should be so many more queer shows.” — Jonathan Van Ness

"[While in a fire station] Has there been an unrequited gay love story in here?” — Jonathan Van Ness

“I never want people to feel like they aren't gay enough or straight enough. It's about what's in your heart." — Jonathan Van Ness

Jonathan Van Ness Diva & Slay Quotes

Jonathan Van Ness’s quote: “Normal, honey? Who is she, anyway?” | Source: AmoDays

“There is a diva in there, but all she needs is a little bit of a bold lip.” — Jonathan Van Ness

“You’re strong, you’re a Kelly Clarkson song, you got this.” — Jonathan Van Ness

“Normal, honey? Who is she, anyway?” — Jonathan Van Ness

“Sexy time. You're giving me Patrick Dempsey, you're giving me take-your-top-off, you're giving me hold-me-till-the-pain-goes-away.” — Jonathan Van Ness

Jonathan Van Ness’s quote: “There is a diva in there, but all she needs is a little bit of a bold lip.” | Source: AmoDays

Jonathan Van Ness's Quotes on Self-Care & Self Love

“We are all a beautiful jumble of layers, parts, and mixtures of experiences, but my most important part, and in my opinion everyone’s most valuable part, is the one that chooses self-love instead of self-harm in the grand sweeping ways but also the little ways every single day. Learning to parent yourself, with soothing compassionate love, forgiving yourself, and learning from all the decisions you made to get you to where you are; that’s the key to being fulfilled. Learning to be the dream parent cheerleader to yourself. It’s been in you the whole time. And no matter how down you get, you can always make a gorgeous recovery.” ― Jonathan Van Ness

“Confidence is sexy.” — Jonathan Van Ness

"To me, self-care isn't really shallow. Showing up for yourself, putting on a little moisturizer, can inspire so many different parts of your life." — Jonathan Van Ness

“Self-care is the non-negotiable. That’s the thing that you have to do. And beauty is the thing that can be the benefit of the self-care. Beauty is not the point. Beauty is just a cute side-effect from self-care.” — Jonathan Van Ness

“I wanna show straight and gay men alike that self-care and grooming isn't mutually exclusive with femininity or masculinity.” — Jonathan Van Ness

Jonathan Van Ness’s quote: “Confidence is sexy.” | Source: AmoDays

“I want people to fall in love with themselves and to be really proud and full of joy for the space they take up. If someone else appreciates the space you take up, then that’s icing on the cake." — Jonathan Van Ness

Jonathan Van Ness Quotes on Perspectives & Advice

“There’s a lot of people that we just don’t talk to because we think that they disagree, and maybe they do, but let’s be fearless in those conversations.” ― Jonathan Van Ness

“As scary as this can be I want you to know no matter how broken you feel, and how seemingly unlikely it is, we are never too broken to heal.” ― Jonathan Van Ness

“Because when you have this much personality, there’s a fear lurking just below the surface: If you knew all of me, you wouldn’t love me anymore.” ― Jonathan Van Ness

Jonathan Van Ness’s quote: “You have to create little pockets of joy in your life.” | Source: AmoDays

"In yoga, we say that everyone has a magnet on them, and you're either positively or negatively charged. So if you're liking how you're looking, you're gonna be more positively charged." — Jonathan Van Ness

“Healing can be imperfect.” ― Jonathan Van Ness

“Imperfection is beautiful. To anyone who has ever felt broken beyond repair, this is for you. If you’ve ever been excluded, or told you were not enough, know that you are enough, and beautifully complete.” — Jonathan Van Ness

“You have to create little pockets of joy in your life.” — Jonathan Van Ness

“When people say 'you can't teach an old dog new tricks' it's not true, because you can reinvent yourself and learn new things whenever you want.” ― Jonathan Van Ness

Jonathan Van Ness’s quote: “Healing can be imperfect.” | Source: AmoDays

"From the extreme political polarization that is everywhere, there's so much suffering going on, so many people are really thirsty to feel good about something." ― Jonathan Van Ness

Jonathan Van Ness Quotes Reflecting on Themself, Their Career and Journey

“I can’t use my platform and lift other people up and educate and amplify and do all the things I want to do to help make things better if I’m so burnt out and under so much pressure that everything’s not coming across. You have to have enough gas in your tank to be able to do the work.” ― Jonathan Van Ness

“To my younger self, I would say unless you’re literally in danger, ask forgiveness instead of asking permission.” ― Jonathan Van Ness

'You know those plants that are always trying to find the light? Maybe they were planted in a location that didn’t necessarily facilitate growth, but inexplicably they make a circuitous route to not only survive but bloom into a beautiful plant. That was me—my whole life.” ― Jonathan Van Ness

Jonathan Van Ness’s quote: “My default is to be really critical of myself.” | Source: AmoDays

“What I thought were my biggest tragedies, like getting HIV and surviving sexual abuse, I’ve been able to use to help people…The goal is using your platform and using your experience to help other people.” ― Jonathan Van Ness

"I'm good at following my own grooming advice." ― Jonathan Van Ness

“I don’t want to waste any of my life not being who I am.” ― Jonathan Van Ness

“I obviously love to do hair. And I love to do transformation sometimes. But I feel like my passion, and my role is more about accepting who we are and embracing who we are. I’m a lot of times more of, like, the anti-transformation beauty expert. I really want people to celebrate themselves, and that’s always what I’m trying to do.” ― Jonathan Van Ness

“I’m really just this cuddly, cozy, boobie baby.” ― Jonathan Van Ness

Jonathan Van Ness’s quote: “Yes balance! Yes, symmetry!” | Source: AmoDays

“My default is to be really critical of myself.” ― Jonathan Van Ness

“So I’m telling my story—the whole story—to show that some masterpieces start off a mess.” ― Jonathan Van Ness

More Positive Jonathan Van Ness Quotes

“Yes, balance! Yes, symmetry!” ― Jonathan Van Ness

“When your best look is fresh out of bed, Sasquatch, it is not inspiring…” ― Jonathan Van Ness

“You're giving me strong man, 'I will change your tire, I will pay your bills, I will provide.” ― Jonathan Van Ness

Jonathan Van Ness’s quote: “I want people to fall in love with themselves.” | Source: AmoDays

In their book "Over the Top," Jonathan Van Ness opened up about having H.I.V., which they were diagnosed with at 25 years old.

Other celebrities that currently have or had H.I.V. before passing away include Billy Porter, Magic Johnson, Charlie Sheen, Danny Pintauro, and Eazy-E.

Matthew McConaughey, who does not suffer from H.I.V, helped bring the conversation to the public by acting as the H.I.V. positive Ron Woodroof in the movie "Dallas Buyers Club," for which McConaughey received much acclaim.

Let's pay homage to one of the greatest music artists whose status was confirmed the day before he died by reading these 63 quotes from the recent biopic on Freddie Mercury's Life.