National Coming Out Day
October 11 Marks a Global Opportunity to Come Out and Be Heard
Some individuals use this day as an opportunity to speak to family and friends for the first time. Others, who have already “come out” to their families and communities, use this as a time to speak about their experiences and empower others to do the same. The event is celebrated on October 11 in all fifty U.S. states as well as in several other countries, and is recognized on the following day, October 12, in the United Kingdom.
What Does it Mean to “Come Out”?
A pretty popular and well-understood phrase in the United States, “coming out,” is the act of revealing one’s sexual identity or orientation to others. But, the act of “coming out” is different for everyone. Some individuals find it to be a lengthy and traumatic process while others do not. National Coming Out Day was founded as a way to celebrate each of these stories and to celebrate the individuals who tell them.
History of National Coming Out Day
Early in 1988, a group of more than 100 LGBT activists from all over the United States convened in Manassas, Virginia to discuss issues related to the LGBT community. It was during that meeting that National Coming Out Day was established, with credit for the concept given to Rob Eichberg, who founded a personal growth workshop called The Experience, and Jean O’Leary who was, at that time, the head of National Gay Rights Advocates. The date of the celebration (October 11) was chosen to commemorate the 1987 national March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights that had attracted more than half a million participants and had included the first showing of the NAMES Project Quilt, better known to some as the AIDS Quilt.
Momentum for National Coming Out Day: Celebrities and Politics
As a result of hard-working individuals and the help of organizations such as the Human Rights Campaign (see their website for a more detailed explanation of the history and impact of the event), National Coming Out Day quickly turned into a movement and celebrities such as Ellen DeGeneres, Melissa Etheridge, and Amanda Bearse began to offer their input. Straight supporters such as Anne Meara and Jerry Stiller also lent their voices to the cause.
Along with attracting the attention of celebrities and the media, politics became a centerpiece of the discussion. National Coming Out Day was used as a platform to boost voter registration and to encourage LGBT individuals and straight supporters to vote for leaders and laws that would help bring equality to the LGBT community.
This noticeable emphasis on politics has changed little over the years. In fact, the 2008 National Coming Out Day was used, in large part, to raise awareness about marriage equality and equal rights. And, for the upcoming 2009 event, another march in Washington has been planned.
Impact of National Coming Out Day
Regardless of the impact on U.S. (or international) politics or the number of celebrities who offer their services, the most important fact remains that National Coming Out Day is a time for LGBT individuals worldwide to express their identity and seek out support in their community.
As actor T.R. Knight states in a National Coming Out Day PSA for the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD), “if someone you know comes out, be willing to listen. You have the power to make a difference, just by treating people with dignity and respect. Choose,” he says, “to be an ally and a friend.”
For more information about National Coming Out Day, visit the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) website, the website for the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, or the National Coming Out Day event page on any of the various social networking sites, including MySpace and Facebook.
Rainbow Flag
|
What do you think about this article?
More in Politics & Society
Latest Articles