October 11, 2022 is the 35th anniversary of National Coming Out Day. This day was inspired by the March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights that took place on October 11, 1987. This march inspired momentum that lasted for months and inspired countless LGBTQ+ individuals to be honest to their true selves and "come out" of the proverbial closet to friends and family.
According to the Human Rights Campaign, National Coming Out Day was created by psychologist and gay rights activist Rob Eichberg exactly a year after the National March to "create a holiday that celebrated queer identities in order to decrease stigma and homophobia."
Coming Out is a deeply personal experience and it can also be difficult and dangerous for myriad reasons. That's why we recommend coming out on your own terms in your own time... but know that hundreds of organizations and millions of people have your back and support you.
We will be celebrating National Coming Out Day on PRIDE Radio with special celebrity messages from Dua Lipa, Greyson Chance, Tyler Glenn, Sarah Barrios and more. Be sure to listen for encouraging words from your favorite artists.
Because Coming Out is a different experience for everyone, we've compiled some resources from the Human Rights Campaign to help you on your path of self-discovery: