IDENTITY

Oh, what to say about Coming Out Day? 

There are so many reasons why this national holiday is significant in the lives of LGBTQ individuals. This day has been recognized by the gay community as a means for breaking free from the chains that have been holding us down for so long.  Events such as rallies, workshops, celebrations, etc., take place on this day—in honor of those in the LGBT community who have dealt with discrimination based upon their sexual orientation, identity, gender expression, and so on.  This day also gives us time to remember and meditate on the lives who have been taken away from us due to that discrimination and intolerance.  The LGBT community continuously tries to make National Coming Out Day a day in which people from all over can embrace their true selves, and be happy with who they truly are (whether they are gay, lesbian, bisexual, transsexual, queer, questioning, OR straight).

Here are a few historic events that I came across while researching National Coming Out Day on the Human Rights Campaign website, www.hrc.org.

This annual tradition started on October 11, 1987 when approximately half a million people participated in a march on Washington for Lesbian and Gay rights.  According to the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), this was the second march that was demonstrated on Washington.  On this date, the first representation of the NAMES Project Quilt became known, which is in remembrance of those who have lost their lives to AIDS.  From this day on, LGBT organizations started making their way to the forefront.  These organizations included NLGLO (National Latino/a Gay & Lesbian Organization), as well as AT&T’s LGBT employee group LEAGUE.

I found that in 1996, LGBT people were urged to come out and vote, with a positive message stating, “You’ve got the power. Register. Vote!”  Spokespeople such as olympic diver Greg Louganis, actor Mitchell Anderson, and Cher’s daughter Chastity Bono spoke up at pride parades, HRC dinners, and a number of other functions in support of gays and lesbians coming out to vote and letting their voices be heard.

Another event I found to be interesting on the Human Rights Campaign website, was that In 2002, a cd (with the theme “Being Out Rocks!”) was released in honor of LGBT musicians who have achieved their dreams by living openly and honestly.  These musicians included K.D. Lang, Queen, Cyndi Lauper, and Sarah McLachlan.  Melissa Etheridge, who is also an openly gay musician, stated this in response to the “Being Out Rocks!” theme:

“I hope that efforts such as this one will help teen-agers feel that they can be themselves - and not worry that their sexual orientation may be made an obstacle to their success,” said Grammy Award-winning artist Melissa Etheridge.

These are just a few historic events that have marked us in the LGBT community as human beings just like the rest of society.  No matter who you are, where you’ve come from, what you plan on doing with your life, etc., National Coming Out Day should be a day where LGBT people and their straight allies should come together and support each other.  With the recent suicides of gay youth in America, we can’t afford to lose anymore valuable human beings!  Stand up for who you are and let your voice be heard!

Happy Coming Out Day!!

—Mac

for more information on Coming Out Day, visit www.hrc.org