In a world where transgender soldiers are being told they are a burden and reproductive rights are at stake, celebrations like National Coming Out Day are more important than ever.
Here is when and how to celebrate you and and support your loved ones.
When is National Coming Out Day 2017?
National Coming Out Day has been held on every Oct. 11 since its inception 29 years ago.
“…on the anniversary of the National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights, we first observed National Coming Out Day as a reminder that one of our most basic tools is the power of coming out,” according to the Human Rights Campaign. “One out of every two Americans has someone close to them who is gay or lesbian. For transgender people, that number is only one in 10.”
On Oct. 11, 1987, a half-million people marched on Washington for lesbian and gay rights for the second time. LGBTQ organizations like the National Latino/a Gay & Lesbian Organization (LLEGÓ) and AT&T’s LGBTQ employee group, LEAGUE were born, according to HRC.
Four months later, more than 100 lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer activists from around the country gathered in Manassas, Va., about 25 miles outside Washington, D.C. Rather than act reactively and defend against anti-LGBTQ actions, originators Rob Eichberg, a founder of the personal growth workshop, The Experience, and Jean O’Leary, then head of National Gay Rights Advocates created the idea of National Coming Out Day as a proactive celebration. Oct. 11 was chosen to commemorate the march on the nation’s capital.
“Each year on Oct. 11, National Coming Out Day continues to promote a safe world for LGBTQ individuals to live truthfully and openly,” according to the HRC website.
Exclusive video message from the cast of Fusion TV’s Shade: Queens of NYC
Ways to celebrate National Coming Out Day
National Coming Out Day is of course celebrated by coming out with your fellow humans and living your truth. (Resources, like coming out at work or coming out as bisexual, can be found on the Human Rights Campaign website.) You can support someone who is ready to come out. You could swipe right on dating apps that specifically cater to the LGBTQ community (like Chappy).
If you want a bit more glam in your Wednesday night, our favorite idea is to grab OneHope’s California Brut Sparkling Wine Rainbow Glitter Edition or Pride Box (proceeds help fund hours for the Trevor’s Project lifeline) and gather with friends to watch the second episode of Shade: Queens of NYC on Fusion TV, which premiered on Oct. 5.
Or, hit up a viewing party!
And there is always Will and Grace on Thursday nights, the OG of LGBTQ television. Start your night with the fab foursome then hit the club!
Celebrities from National Coming Out Day 2016
– Marcelas Owens – “ObamaCare kid”
– Stefanie Dolson – WNBA player
– Bill Kennedy – NBA veteran referee
– Michael Angelakos – lead singer of the band Passion Pit
– Amandla Stenberg – actress
Shared something on the teenvogue snapchat last night. Bi black girls unite. https://t.co/gvXdtKLUfT
— Amandla (@amandlastenberg) January 8, 2016
– Charlie Carver – Teen Wolf actor
– Rowan Blanchard – actress
– Gus Kenworthy – 2014 Olympic silver medalist, freeskier
I am gay. pic.twitter.com/086ayvChq2
— Gus Kenworthy (@guskenworthy) October 22, 2015
– Rayvon Owen – American Idol finalist
– Brendan Jordan – YouTube star
– Colton Haynes – actor
– Lilly Wachowski – filmmaker Lilly Wachowski, sister of director and producer Lana Wachowski
– Trey Pearson – Christian rock star and lead singer of the band Everyday Sunday
To my fans and friends: I’m finally being honest with myself. I love you all. https://t.co/bfP5CXpuCx pic.twitter.com/0EmwHiljrz
— Trey Pearson (@treypearson) May 31, 2016
– Keke Palmer – actress, singer and songwriter
– Mara Wilson – actress, author and former child star
.@__SonjaLouise__ I said I *used* to identify as mostly straight. I’ve embraced the Bi/Queer label lately
— Mara Wilson (@MaraWilson) June 14, 2016
– Aubrey Plaza – Parks and Recreation actress
– Alexis G. Zall – YouTube star
– Stephanie Beatriz – Brooklyn Nine-Nine actress
— Stephanie Beatriz (@iamstephbeatz) July 16, 2016
yes y’all. ????❤️????
— Stephanie Beatriz (@iamstephbeatz) July 16, 2016
– Elena Delle Donne – WNBA MVP
– Claire Kittrell – creator and star of the viral video Gingers Do Have Souls
– Bella Thorne – actress
– Eva Gutowski – YouTube star
I am ready for myself to fall in love with someone, no matter who they end up being, and have been since I was 12. Boy or girl.
— Spoopy Eva Gutowski (@lifeaseva) August 31, 2016
– Ricky Dillon – YouTube star
– Reid Ewing – actor in Emmy Award-winning sitcom Modern Family
@MichaelJMapes I was never in
— Reid Ewing (@media_reid) November 21, 2015
– Shawn Balentine – first openly gay stuntman
– Nyle DiMarco – first deaf winner of America’s Next Top Model and Dancing With the Stars
– Rebecca Sugar – creator of the animated T.V. series Steven Universe
– Elizabeth Gilbert – author of the bestselling book Eat, Pray, Love
– Brian Anderson – professional skateboarder
– Holland Taylor – actress
