National Coming Out Day

National Coming Out Day

National Coming Out Day (NCOD) is an annual LGBT awareness day observed on October 11th to support anyone “coming out of the closet”. First celebrated in the United States in 1988, the initial idea was grounded in the feminist and gay liberation spirit of the personal being political, and the emphasis on the most basic form of activism being coming out to family, friends and colleagues, and living life as an openly lesbian or gay person.

LGBT activists, including Eichberg and O’Leary, did not want to respond defensively to anti-LGBT action because they believed it would be predictable. This led them to establish NCOD to maintain positivity and celebrate coming out. The date of October 11 was chosen because it is the anniversary of the Second National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights in 1987. Most people think they don’t know anyone gay or lesbian, and in fact, everybody does. It is imperative that we come out and let people know who we are and disabuse them of their fears and stereotypes.

Coming out is a unique experience for each LGBTQ+ person. It’s not a one-time event; many LGBTQ+ individuals who come out to their closest friends and family may later come out at work or school, to their extended family, or to casual acquaintances.

National Coming Out Day is a day to celebrate the diversity of the LGBTQ+ community and to show support for those who are still in the process of coming out. It is also a day to raise awareness of the challenges that LGBTQ+ people face and to advocate for equality and justice.

It’s important to remember that just because It’s National Coming Out Day doesn’t mean that you have to come out if you’re not ready or if you aren’t in a safe environment to do so.

Ways to Celebrate National Coming Out Day

If you’re looking to celebrate National Coming Out Day we hope you have an amazing time, take a look at some of the various ways below that you can use to celebrate the day with pride.

Here are some ways to celebrate National Coming Out Day:

• Come out to someone you trust.
• Share your coming out story on social media or with a trusted friend or family member.
• Attend a National Coming Out Day event.
• Donate to an LGBTQ+ charity or organisation.
• Educate yourself and others about LGBTQ+ issues.
• Be an ally to LGBTQ+ people in your community.

Famous LGBTQIA+ Celebrities

In recent years celebrities have spoken up more and more on LGBTQ+ rights and although they have fame and fortune it’s important to remember that they help shape new laws and policies that support the LGBTQ+ community.

• Wanda Yvette Sykes
• Dustin Lance Black
• Noah Schnapp
• Wentworth Miller