Today is the 38th annual International Coming Out Day. This celebration started in 1988 as a way to raise awareness of the LGBT community and civil rights movement. While it originated in the United States, the celebration is now international and is observed in Canada, Germany, The Netherlands, Switzerland, Ireland, Portugal, and Australia. The UK celebrates on the following day, October 12th.
Coming out, whether it is as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or queer, matters now more than ever. When people know someone who is LGBTQ, they are far more likely to support equality under the law and that is of utmost importance in this day and age when our civil rights and our very lives are still -- STILL -- under attack, much more than in past decades. But beyond that, our stories can be powerful and empowering to each other, inspiring change.
Every person who speaks up changes more hearts and minds, and creates new advocates for equality. If you haven't yet, and you can do so with physical and emotional safety within your family and community (please protect yourself first and foremost... do not put yourself at risk), join us.
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