National Coming Out Day 2018: What is National Coming Out Day?
With national headlines regarding transgender men and women and federal and statewide changes to laws about LGBT workers, today's national celebration of "coming out" signifies a particularly courageous moment for those in the LGBTQIA community.
National Coming Out Day celebrates those that have or may be struggling to come out as lesbian, gay, transgender, bisexual and queer, according to the National Human Rights Campaign (HRC).
When was it first celebrated?
The day was originally celebrated on the anniversary of the National March on Lesbian and Gay Rights on Oct. 14, 1987. On that day, more than 500,000 people marched in Washington, D.C., holding up the now historic AIDS Memorial Quilt, covering the length of a football field, according to The AIDS Memorial Quilt website.
What does “coming out” mean?
Coming out - whether it is as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or allied - STILL MATTERS. When people know someone who is LGBTQ, they are far more likely to support equality under the law. Beyond that, our stories can be powerful to each other. - HRC
Why does it matter?
For the LGBTQ community and straight allies, the day honors the courage of facing the potential backlash and discrimination being gay, lesbian, transgender, bisexual or queer might draw.
According to the HRC, one out of two Americans has a gay or lesbian friend or family member.
Around the country, NCOD supporters took to social media to share their support and tell their stories of coming out.
wow its #NationalComingOutDay and i came out almost 6 years ago with this note i wrote on the kitchen notice board because i hate confrontation pic.twitter.com/Aveg5xZyz6
— chole (@chloereidishere) October 11, 2018
Happy #NationalComingOutDay! It’s been 6 years since I came out as gay. pic.twitter.com/yCZs7Bq9Di
— isaac(was sevenvisions) (@IsaacMirsan) October 11, 2018
Happy #NationalComingOutDay to this lil gay kid from her future self. pic.twitter.com/FE00bYlta8
— Cameron Esposito (@cameronesposito) October 11, 2018
Two weeks shy of a year since I came out and I cannot tell you how much happier this year has been compared to all that came before it. ☺️ #NationalComingOutDay pic.twitter.com/JAHnE4evem
— 🎃 I'm Justin here for the boos 🎃 (@JustinFL76) October 11, 2018
On #NationalComingOutDay (and every day, when it comes right down to it!) remember the words of First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt, born #OTD in 1884: "No one can make you feel inferior without your consent." pic.twitter.com/0rE6mayKzo
— Downtown EugeneBrown (@DTEugeneBrown) October 11, 2018
Some even pointed out that even on National Coming Out Day it is important to realize why some choose to keep their sexuality private.
A reminder on #NationalComingOutDay that not everyone will be safe — fiscally, physically, or mentally — if they come out in their current circumstances.
— Phillip Picardi (@pfpicardi) October 11, 2018
If you need time, take it. Find your immediate support network (online or IRL) and take care. We’ll be waiting for you.
happy #NationalComingOutDay 🏳️🌈 i came out as pansexual 4 months ago, but not on my own terms. i know firsthand the fears of being outed prematurely, so don’t let this holiday pressure you into dangerous situations. you are a valid member of the lgbt+ community no matter what 💕 pic.twitter.com/N8EhwcQ5RG
— bongo cherche (@marios_brother) October 11, 2018
For more on the history of National Coming Out Day, visit hrc.org.
About the Author
Stephanie has been telling stories her whole life. Her interest in the written word started with short stories and journal entries about run-ins with classroom bullies as a child and matured to writing for her high school newspaper over the years. She has written and edited for The Tennessean, Augusta Chronicle and American City & County.
