National Coming Out Day – October 11, 2022 , history significance
On this October 11, National Coming Out Day will continue to raise awareness for individuals within the LGBTQ+ community, and champion the idea that homophobia thrives in silence. On this day, many people who identify as LGBTQ+ will “come out” (a term stemming from the phrase “come out of the closet”) to friends or family about their sexuality, which is a very big moment!
Beyond this, the history of the LGBTQ+ movement is a beacon of light — its champions are honored, and it underlines the personal being political. It’s also a chance to celebrate the liberation spirit — many do this by waving flags associated with LGBTQ+ groups or donning pins.
History of National Coming Out Day
The National Coming Out Day (NCOD) was first celebrated in the year 1988. Robert Eichsberg and Jean O’Leary founded the NCOD. The date’s celebration marks the anniversary of the 1987 March held in Washington for the Lesbian and Gay Rights with 500,000 people. He was also the head of the National Gay Rights Advocates in Los Angeles at the time.
NCOD is a form of celebration toward the feeling of gay pride instead of shame and social disgrace, or career suicide. It is observed annually by the members of the gay community and their straight allies throughout the world. Robert Eichsberg was the psychologist and founder of the personal growth workshop, The Experience.
Jean O’Leary was an openly lesbian political leader and long-time activist from New York. Queer activists, including Eichberg and O’Leary, thought not to respond defensively to anti-LGBT action as it would be predictable. It made them found the NCOD to maintain positivity and celebrate coming out.
In 1988, NCOD was founded in the United States. The initial idea of this day is to bring out the openly lesbian or gay person from family, friends, and colleagues to live their life independently. The foundational belief is that homophobia rises in an atmosphere of silence and ignorance. Once if people find that they have loved the ones who are lesbian or gay, then they are far less likely to sustain homophobic or oppressive views
The idea of the “Lesbian and Gay Community” in recent years has been largely subsumed into the concept of the LGBT community. In the LGBT community, the term “coming out” means the voluntary self-disclosure of one’s gender identity or sexual orientation.
The idea of “coming out” has expanded in not only including the willing self-disclosure of a gay, lesbian, or bisexual sexual orientation, but also the transgender, genderqueer, or other non-mainstream gender identities. The one important point of National Coming Out Day is to let people see the LGBT community, who they are, or the people they already like, know, and respect. It was their strongest means in the movement toward full human rights.
NATIONAL COMING OUT DAY TIMELINE
1924
The First Documented Gay Rights Organization
The Society for Human Rights was founded by Henry Gerber in Chicago.
June 28, 1969
Stonewall Riot
The riot against police at the Stonewall Inn in Manhattan triggered the beginning of the LGBTQ+ movement.
October 11, 1987
National March on Washington
This impactful event is honored by National Coming Out Day being on the same day.
October 11, 2002
The Beat of Their Own Drum
On National Coming Out Day in 2002, a benefit CD was released featuring donated songs by artists who were either in the LGBTQ+ community or were allies — it included Cyndi Lauper and Queen.
May 17, 2004
The First Same-Sex Marriage
The first legal same sex marriage takes place in Massachusetts.
5 IMPORTANT FACTS ABOUT NATIONAL COMING OUT DAY
National Coming Out Day includes more than gay or lesbian
LGBTQ+ has grown to encompass bisexual, transgender, and many more sexual identities – so more and more people are able to participate in NCOD!
It has grown in National support
On the first National Coming Out Day, only 18 states participated — this number skyrocketed with media attention and sent the event worldwide.
It used to be much more dangerous
In this decade and in Western culture, it is statistically less dangerous to come out as gay or lesbian – many who are part of the community instead celebrate their identity and wear pride-supporting accessories!
Knowledge drives out hate
One study shows that those who know a loved one is in the LGBTQ+ community are less likely to maintain oppressive and homophobic views.
It was once headquartered in West Hollywood
When NCOD first began, the headquarters of National Gay Rights Advocates was in West Hollywood, California, but has since moved to Santa Fe, New Mexico.
How to Celebrate National Coming Out Day
You can voluntarily participate in the awareness events held throughout the world to show your support for the LGBT community people. You can participate in the movement by wearing pride symbols like pink triangles and rainbow flags. Educate people around you to treat them like others in a normal way. Post and share your celebrations on social media using the hashtag #NationalComingOutDay
