Today is October 11. That means it’s National Coming Out Day.
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, 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. National Coming Out Day is a time to publicly display gay pride. Many choose this day to come out to their parents, friends, co-workers and, most importantly, to themselves.
Despite its name, National Coming Out Day isn’t just an American event; it’s in fact observed in many countries, including Switzerland, The Netherlands, Germany, Canada and the United Kingdom. National Coming Out Day is celebrated on October 12th in the United Kingdom.
Coming out is the process of personally accepting your homosexuality and disclosing it to family, co-workers and friends. Coming out is different for every gay person. Some experience a lot of pain and anguish, while for others acceptance is a joyous time, though it’s seldom an easy thing.
For those of you who just don’t get it: tough shit. Some people are gay. Get over it, and get over yourselves.
And for all of my friends in the LGBT community, today I salute you all. I’m proud to have you all as my friends.
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