National Coming Out Day

October 11 has been celebrated as National Coming Out Day for 33 years now.

Due to the systems of oppression and prejudice that are in place in this country, it takes a lot of courage to come out, for the LGB and the Gender Diverse communities.

We celebrate coming out because each person who speaks up changes the conversation, raises visibility and normalizes being in the LGBTQIA+ community. Because despite marriage equality and increased visibility, there is still discrimination, prejudice and harassment these folks face.

AND I also want to recognize it is not safe for all people to come out, not everyone is ready, and that’s okay too. It is such a personal decision and both coming out and living in the closet comes with risks and benefits to physical and mental health.

This is also your friendly reminder that research suggests that someone who comes out as trans has typically been considering and thinking through their identity for years before they share it with others. It is not a whim, it is a considered identity and deserves being honored and recognized as such.

Closeted individuals are still valid members of the community.

Some of the notable celebrities who’ve come out this year:

Queer Eye star Jonathan Van Ness came out as non-binary.

Rapper Lil Nas X came out as gay.

Actor Elliot Page came out as transgender

You Tuber Lilly Singh came out as bisexual.

Singer Sam Smith came out as non-binary and genderqueer.

YouTuber JoJo Siwa came out as pansexual.

Source: Human Rights Campaign