Today is National Coming Out Day.
The Human Rights Campaign celebrated the day by releasing a new video (above) highlighting actors, athletes, musicians, and others who are helping to advance equality by coming out and sharing their stories. HRC is also featuring guides and resources that are part of its National Coming Out Project.
“Coming out — whether as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, or as an ally — is incredibly important in our fight to advance LGBTQ equality,” said Mary Beth Maxwell, HRC senior vice president for Programs, Research, and Training. “Research proves that when people know someone who is LGBTQ, they are far more likely to support equality. It takes bravery and courage to come out, and by speaking up and sharing our stories, we are helping to make the world a better place by changing hearts and minds.”
In celebration of the day, Rea Carey, executive director, National LGBTQ Task Force said, “Coming out, being you proudly and openly, is perhaps still the most significant action we can take as LGBTQ people and as an LGBTQ movement. Coming out has changed millions of hearts and minds — and has transformed labels, and letters, into real people — a son, a niece, a mom, a grandpa. In fact, it has made who we are — and the advancement of our freedom, justice and equality — personal for families across the nation. Today, we encourage everyone who has not yet come out, to come out if it is safe to do so. Your extended family is waiting to give you a huge hug.”
Every year on October 11, National Coming Out Day promotes a safe world in which LGBTQ people can live truthfully and openly. In honor of the important annual event, HRC’s new video highlights actors, athletes, musicians and YouTube sensations who have helped advance the movement for equality by coming out over the past year. Numerous celebrities and public figures have come out for equality in 2016, including Sara Ramirez, Marcelas Owens, Stefanie Dolson, Bill Kennedy, Michael Angelakos, Amandla Stenberg, Charlie Carver, Rowan Blanchard, Gus Kenworthy, Rayvon Owen, Brendan Jordan, Colton Haynes, Lilly Wachowski, Trey Pearson, Keke Palmer, Mara Wilson, Aubrey Plaza, Alexis G. Zall, Stephanie Beatriz, Claire Kittrell, Bella Thorne, Eva Gutowski, Ricky Dillon, Reid Ewing, Shawn Balentine, Nyle DiMarco, Rebecca Sugar, Elizabeth Gilbert, Brian Anderson, and Holland Taylor.
Coming out and living openly is a journey that individuals choose to make every single day of their lives. Whether it’s for the first time ever or the first time today, coming out can be an arduous journey. Every coming out experience is unique and must be navigated in the way most comfortable for the individual.
