Happy National Coming Out Day!

Today, October 11th, is National Coming Out Day! National Coming Out Day was founded in 1988 to celebrate the Second National March on Washington for Gay and Lesbian Rights. It is observed by LGBTQ persons and their "Ally" supporters to raise awareness and encourage open dialogue about lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender issues. More than ever, people the world over are encouraged to come out. The Human Rights Campaign (in addition to hundreds of others LGBT organisations, including the Core Council) are working for equality for all persons, regardless of sexual orientation or gender expression.

In light of the recent suicides of more than six LGBT young people, it is crucial for anyone who is closeted or struggling with their sexual identity to see that there is a large and diverse (and fabulous) community that is waiting to welcome them with open arms. So, on this National Coming Out Day, I encourage everyone to come out. Come out as LGBT, come out as a supporter, a parent, a sibling, a mentor, or a friend. Show the world that you care, and that you desire a better society in which all people are welcome and accepted.

In his tape which he recorded to be played in the event of his assassination, Harvey Milk said, "I ask this... If there should be an assassination, I would hope that five, ten, one hundred, a thousand would rise. I would like to see every gay lawyer, every gay architect come out -- If a bullet should enter my brian, let that bullet destroy every closet door."

One blogger for the HRC posted an excerpt from a letter written by his mother in an email to school nursing staff members, family, and friends:

" I am personally blessed to have a son who was able to “come out” to us his freshman year in college. I am blessed because he must have felt that he had accepted himself and could risk being accepted by his family and friends, even though I know it was very scary and he didn’t know how truly accepting all of his family would be. I am also blessed to work in a place where I can “be out” as a mother of a young gay man and not have to lie about him having a “girlfriend” and can openly discuss the jobs and lives of both of my wonderful sons, as it should be.

I am indeed blessed, but many are not.

My heart breaks thinking about the young people that have recently taken their lives because they must not have felt that they would be loved or accepted or couldn’t even accept themselves and couldn’t see a future ahead of them without pain and fear.  I can’t help but wonder if there wasn’t a school person such as yourself that they could have confided in or knew believed in them and maybe it would have resulted in a different ending.  I also realize that even if someone at school had supported them, it may not have been enough, but if more and more people would be open about their support for all of our youth and take a stand against bullying, then maybe it would truly feel like people cared enough about them to get them through the tough times so they could envision a future with hope and love and acceptance. "

For more information about National Coming Out Day, check out:

The HRC's history of National Coming Out Day

A Resource Guide to Coming Out (written by the HRC)

A Straight Guide to LGBT Americans (for all those straighties out there, also written by the HRC and PFLAG)