National Coming Out Day
National Coming Out Day is observed every year on October 11th to advocate for the LGBTQ+ community, raising awareness about their rights and aims to fight against homophobia.
Whether someone wants to come out or not and when they want to do so, it is their choice. However, National Coming Out Day encourages people who identify as part of the community to come out and those around them to embrace them with love and respect.
This is also a day for LGBTQ+ people to be out and proud, and display the community's symbols such as the pride rainbow flag.
History of National Coming Out Day
On October 11, 1987, thousands participated in the National March for Lesbian and Gay Rights in Washington in a display of support for the LGBTQ+ community.
This was a huge event for the community and proved to be crucial in the fight for gay, lesbian, and transgender rights.
On the first anniversary of the march, in 1988, Rob Eichberg and Jean O'Leary founded National Coming Out Day, to be observed annually on the day of the march.
National Coming Out Day was first celebrated in the United States in 1988 with the idea to help people come to their closest people and live like any other straight person while embracing their sexuality.
The founders believed that homophobia spreads in a silent and ignorant environment. Hence, once people come to know that their very own people are part of the community, the oppressive views are more likely to lessen.
Many public figures and celebrities have been inspired by this day to come out, and openly share with the world that they are LGBTQ+. Every year the Human Rights Campaign sponsors National Coming Out Day, and until 2014 there was a different theme for every year.
The first time National Coming Out Day took place, only eighteen states participated in celebrating it. Since then the holiday has grown in popularity and it is now commemorated internationally.
What to do on National Coming Out Day
National Coming Out Day is a very important day for the LGBTQ+ community - it educates people on one of the biggest and most important movements in history, the fight for LGBTQ+ rights, and it garners allies for the cause.
It celebrates diversity, which is very important when fighting discrimination and homophobia, and it inspires people to make the life-changing decision of sharing their true selves with the world. However, it is important to acknowledge that it is not always safe for LGBTQ+ to come out to their communities, and no one should be forced to do so.
If you identify as LGBTQ+ this is the perfect day to show your pride in being a part of the community.
There are many LGBTQ+ organizations that you can think about joining, to meet more people in the community, and have some kind of support network of people who understand what you are going through.
If you want to be an ally, support and donate to LGBTQ+ organizations and take part in marches, protests, and demonstrations. Make the LGBTQ+ people in your life feel loved and accepted.
You would also want to know about Pride Month next.
