The notion for National Coming Out Day originated from a solitary march. On October 11, 1987, 500,000 individuals participated in the March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights, which generated momentum that persisted for four months following the march's conclusion.
National Coming Out Day will persist on October 11 to advocate for the cause of LGBTQ+ individuals and dispel the notion that discrimination flourishes in silence. A significant moment occurs on this day when many LGBTQ+ individuals “come out” (a term derived from the expression “come out of the closet”) to family and acquaintances regarding their sexual orientation. In addition to this, the historical trajectory of the LGBTQ+ movement serves as a source of inspiration, commemorating its trailblazers and emphasizing the intersection of the personal and the political.
The notion for National Coming Out Day originated from a solitary march. On October 11, 1987, 500,000 individuals participated in the March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights, which generated momentum that persisted for four months following the march’s conclusion. On the first anniversary of their historic march, more than a hundred LGBTQ+ identifying individuals congregated outside of Washington, DC and decided to establish a national day to honor coming out.
Rob Eichberg and Jean O’Leary were the originators of the NCOD concept. At the time that Eichberg established The Experience, a workshop for personal development, O’Leary was the executive director of National Gay Rights Advocates. Eichberg, who passed away in 1995 from AIDS-related complications, once stated that the most effective weapon in the human rights movement was to demonstrate that the majority of individuals already know and respect a member of the LGBTQ+ community; NCOD assists in bringing these individuals to light.
The Human Rights Campaign has selected a theme for each National Coming Out Day over the past fifteen years. “Come Out To Congress” was the theme in 1999, and “Coming Out Still Matters” was the theme for 2014. Additionally, distinct representatives have represented each NCOD. In the 1990s, “Frasier” actor Dan Butler and Candance Gingrich, the half-sister of Newt Gingrich, were two notable figures.
The NCOD attracts more and more participants annually. Numerous public figures and celebrities have openly identified as LGBTQ+ since the organization’s inception, and each year they share messages of encouragement and support for those who remain in the closet. In 2019, notable celebrities such as actress and advocate Sara Ramirez and Olympic figure skater Adam Rippon both tweeted in support of NCOD. In an effort to further eradicate hatred and homophobia, the event intends to invite family and friends to dispel stereotypes.
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As the LGBTQ+ community has expanded to include bisexual, transgender, and numerous other sexual orientations, an increasing number of individuals are eligible to engage in NCOD.
On the inaugural National Coming Out Day, only 18 states took part; media coverage and the event’s global reach caused this number to soar.
In Western culture and in the current decade, coming out as homosexual or lesbian is statistically safer; many members of the community wear accessories that express their pride in this status quo.
Individuals who have familial ties to the LGBTQ+ community are less likely to hold oppressive and discriminatory views, according to one study.
National Gay Rights Advocates’ headquarters were formerly located in West Hollywood, California; however, they have since relocated to Santa Fe, New Mexico.
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | October 11 | Wednesday |
| 2024 | October 11 | Friday |
| 2025 | October 11 | Saturday |
| 2026 | October 11 | Sunday |
| 2027 | October 11 | Monday |
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