National Coming Out Day
Imagine living in hiding simply because you are who you are.
Unfortunately, queer folks often have to hide their identity to avoid discrimination in various aspects of life. Celebrations of queerness, such as Pride, have created safe spaces for the LGBTQ+ community to express themselves freely.
National Coming Out Day is another celebration of queerness that advocates for the right to live life fully.
Learn how to be inclusive with LGBTQ+ folks in your workplace.
What Is National Coming Out Day?
National Coming Out Day was first celebrated in 1988 as a way to encourage LGBTQ+ individuals to "come out" to their friends, family, and colleagues, expressing their true sexual orientation or gender identity.
It serves as a reminder of the importance of visibility and openness, as well as a celebration of the LGBTQ+ community's progress in fighting for equal rights and acceptance.
Over the years, National Coming Out Day has evolved into a day of support, awareness, and education about LGBTQ+ issues. It provides a platform for individuals to share their coming-out stories, reducing stigma and promoting understanding.
The purpose of National Coming Out Day is to celebrate the simplest form of activism: sharing one’s gender identity and/or sexual orientation with friends and family and living one’s life authentically.
When is National Coming Out Day?
National Coming Out Day (NCOD) is observed on October 11 each year. The day was first observed in 1988, one year after the Second National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights.
Along the way, the LGBTQ+ community has faced a number of barriers with the United States:
In 1953, President Dwight Eisenhower banned gay individuals from working for the federal government (CNN)
In 1969, the Stonewall riots occurred in Greenwich Village, New York (PBS)
In 1973, Maryland became the first state to statutorily ban same-sex marriage (CNN)
In 1993, the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” directive was issued to the military (PBS)
In 2018, President Donald Trump banned most transgender individuals from serving in the military (CNN)
Why Is National Coming Out Day Important?
Celebrating this day is of the utmost importance to the LGBTQ+ community and the advancement of open-mindedness in the United States and globally.
Still today however, LGBTQ+ people experience hardship including:
Emotional, verbal, financial, sexual and physical abuse.
Rejection by friends and family that claim to love and support them.
Eviction by their parents at a young age and forced to live on the streets.
Discrimination in the workplace and school, as their careers and education suffers.
Being told that they are mentally ill and must be cured.
Facing depression leading them to contemplate and commit suicide at an unprecedented rate.
All of this and more, simply because they choose to live their lives authentically.
Facts about the LGBTQ+ Community
Homosexuality is criminalized in 69 countries (BBC)
The criminalization of homosexuality is deeply rooted in colonialism (BBC)
Transgender individuals are criminalized in 15 jurisdictions around the world (Human Dignity Trust)
The World Health Organization maintained that homosexuality was a mental illness until 1990 (Human Rights Watch)
How To Celebrate National Coming Out Day in the Workplace
Respect Names and Pronouns
While it may seem small, respecting a person’s name and pronouns is very important. It makes them feel seen and heard. It shows them that you care about their well-being.
Furthermore, it validates their identity. You may want to create name and pronoun pins for those who would like to wear them.
LGBTQ+ History
History is rich with LGBTQ+ figures and events, if you know where to look.
Books and movies are excellent sources of information for those who are looking to expand their knowledge of the community.
Find several pieces of media and share them with your office. You may want to establish a queer media group that gathers weekly or monthly to discuss what you’ve recently read and/or watched. Here is a short list of media to get you started:
Books
The Gay Revolution: The Story of the Struggle by Lillian Faderman
Leaving Isn’t the Hardest Thing by Lauren Hough
Boy Erased by Garrard Conley
Movies
Accountability
Anyone that discriminates against a member of the LGBTQ+ community must be held accountable. When appropriate, accountability should include education.
If one employee tells another employee that they do not “look gay”, accountability for that statement should include education about what it means to be gay. Remember, there is no one way to exist as a gay individual.
Resources for LGBTQ+ Employees
Below are several general and specific resources for members of the LGBTQ+ community.
Stand for Justice
Imagine what society would be like if LGBTQ+ individuals were allowed to live their lives in peace. Without fear, without judgement, without hate.
An individual’s gender identity and/or sexual orientation should not dictate the way that they are treated by society.
We must stand together and we must stand for justice. Whether you are an employee or a leader, use your privilege to create a safe environment for queer professionals.
