1996 Honda Civic Shifts hard out of park

Very, very, very common issue.

The shifter linkage pivot near the transmission needs to be lubed up.

Follow the shifter linkage underneath the vehicle, you will see a little bracket covering it up where it goes into the transmission. I believe it's 4 12 mm bolts. Remove the cap/cover and you will see the pivot and the cable. Get some penetrating fluid and soak it while shifting back and forth (either have a friend inside the vehicle or you can do it by hand by pulling the cable). Eventually you will feel it start to loosen up.

Goodluck.