National Coming Out Day

National Coming Out Day is an internationally-observed civil awareness day for coming out and discussion about lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) issues. It is observed on October 11 every year by members of the LGBT communities and their supporters (often referred to as "allies").

Coming out / being "open"

It is highly encouraged for participants on this day to wear gay pride symbols, such as the pink triangle (gay men), the black triangle (gay females), the Greek letter lambda, and rainbows in jewelry and on clothing.

History

The day was founded by Dr. Robert Eichberg and Jean O'Leary in 1988, in celebration of the Second National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights one year earlier, in which 500,000 people marched on Washington, DC, United States, for gay and lesbian equality. National Coming Out Day events are aimed at raising awareness of the LGBT community among the general populace in an effort to give a familiar face to the LGBT rights movement.

Multi-national observance

In the United States, the Human Rights Campaign manages the event under the National Coming Out Project, offering resources to LGBT individuals, couples, parents and children, as well as straight friends and relatives, to promote awareness of LGBT families living honest and open lives. Candace Gingrich became the spokesperson for the day in April 1995.

Despite its name, National Coming Out Day (so called because it originated as an event in the United States) is in fact observed in many countries, including Switzerland, Germany, Canada and the United Kingdom. As of 2008 The Netherlands also has Coming Out Day on October 11th.

National Coming Out Day is celebrated on October 12th in the United Kingdom.

External links

• National Coming Out Day 2008
• National Coming Out Day 2007
• National Coming Out Day 2008 (UK)
• Coming-Out Day UK Poster Campaign
• National Coming-Out Day Switzerland
• National Coming Out Day 2007 video
• Coming Out 101