October 11, 2019 marks the 31st National Coming Out Day, guys. Are you out to your family, friends, and colleagues? If you are, how did they take it? What is your coming out story?
For Adam4Adam users who already did their coming out and had lost their family members and friends in the process, always remember that we are here for you, you’ll never be alone. The entire A4A community is behind you and with our 11M users you can find friends on here pretty easily. You are only one click away; all you need to do is download our app here.
As for the other Adam4Adam members who are thinking of coming out, you may want to read first the resource guides that the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) has put together here.
Today is #NationalComingOutDay and we shall be posting a few messages from our committee members. Here’s Sen’s story:
— Amnesty UK Rainbow Network (@AmnestyUK_LGBTI) October 11, 2019
“I ‘come out’ constantly — to family, friends, colleagues, and strangers. I now just flaunt the word ‘gay’ on my social media profiles and prance around with … pic.twitter.com/mTIq9DI7vy
Happy #NationalComingOutDay — a day to celebrate who we are but also to remember those who can’t come out because it’ll mean ridicule, danger or worse and to remind ourselves and each other to keep working however we can to liberate all of our familyhttps://t.co/nDHGsGdxEc
— noah michelson (@noahmichelson) October 11, 2019
This is the original poster #KeithHaring designed for the first annual #NationalComingOutDay, which took place #onthisday in 1988.
— Tate (@Tate) October 11, 2019
On display @tateliverpool.
Have a happy day ❤️🧡💛💚💙💜https://t.co/H6FvqWIxx7
© Keith Haring Foundation/Collection Noirmontartproduction, Paris. pic.twitter.com/T7qQ2kM7oV
Anyway, why do we observe NCOD every year? It’s to “celebrate coming out and to raise awareness of the LGBT community and civil rights movement” of course. It’s sad to say however, that there are still many countries in the world that continue to criminalize LGBT people making it impossible for them to come out. To be precise, there are 72 countries all in all, check this to view the map. But also, there are countries like Canada that provide protection and help to resettle vulnerable groups like the LGBT community and if you live in one of these 72 countries and are interested with the process, click here to learn more on how to move to Canada.
Lastly, if you are looking for ways to celebrate National Coming Out Day, you can support Rainbow Railroad‘s campaign called “Help Each Other Out.” Rainbow Railroad is a Toronto-based charitable organization that helps LGBT people escape violence and persecution in their home countries. We donated to them before and we sponsored a gay refugee from Chechnya.
Or you can opt to pledge your support for Aimee Stephens who was fired at her job when she came out as a transgender woman to her employer. We wrote about her story here and you may pledge your support on ACLU as they take on the appeal of her case at the Supreme Court.
Happy National Coming Out Day, guys!
The only two days of any significance are the day you come out between your Mother’s legs and the day you are put into the ground, urn or scattered.
Every other day is just like the day before or the day after. “Coming out is passe.” Either you’ve already done it or you don’t need to do it.
Everyone is already out…according to the Democraps!
While I appreciate Dave and others’ sentiments toward supporting those who come out and lose their family members in the process, for me I think I’ll leave things the way they are. Personally, I’m not concerned about being “out”. If somebody needs to know I’m gay, I’ll let them know. For me, the risk of any family alienation is probably rather small though it could happen. So, I just leave it alone and go about my business. As for work, it’s a no go; I don’t need the attendant back-stabbing and loose talk. I’m certain others may feel differently but… Read more »
Im just a tad curious. If June is Pride month why is coming out day all the way in October?
I am over 65 and I have never came out to anyone. But in a way I knew that my fellow workers knew about me. I never came out to my family, but when I came home, from the military and my partner came with me, I believer they knew. I just told them he was a friend from the army. Even when the don’t ask don’t tell was going on, I knew my army bubbies knew to. So growing up in the early 70’s in the military, finding a partner with kids, in which we both raised them as… Read more »
If a gay guy finds his sexuality so front and center, so primary, so defining to who he is that everyone needs to know about it, it’s his choice to come out. It’s his choice to put it in front of others. It’s his choice to make it an issue. It’s his choice to tell them to “deal with it.” It’s his choice to demand acceptance. If a gay guy finds his sexuality is but a fraction of who be is, it’s his choice to reveal it … or not to reveal it … to whoever he wishes to. Militants… Read more »
Do you what “passing” means? It’s what “quadroons” did, or do you know of such a term? It means people that are “3 drops of African” or 1/4 of African descent. They often passed themselves of as “white” to further their careers or to marry white; usually woman who tried, often failed with dyer consequences…losing their lives, murdered. The most notable, successful actress, songstress- Lena Horne, she did “pass” to further her career only to later-on, come-out. I am militant on a few fronts, as there is no shame, see, and that is the very point of coming out. “I… Read more »
I think it’s too bad that it is ‘still’ the big that it apparently is. People can always, well, to put it the way Dolly did in the movie “Workin’ 9-5,” figure out “which side your bread is butter-on,” lol, office politics and such being what it tends to be “clique-ish.” Certain kinds of gossip, especially if you’re a male who is good-looking “is he gay, well he never talks about women” especially like the kind of usual banter that goes on in the office among men, probably women on the prowl as well. My experience, admittedly by one woman,… Read more »
FARMDUDE:
I am sorry to read of your partner’s death.
I, too, was a member of the US Medical Corps. Was a Cadet of The United Military Academy and served “In-Country” for eight years.
Met the Love-of-my-life, at 20. He died in Vietnam in 1967. He was 36.
I personally think it’s overrated. Some people/ family in general are two-faced. You tell them you’re gay and they hug you and tell you they love you and can’t wait to get behind your back and tell that gossipy cousin or coworker. They will put you down like a freak of nature behind your back and smile in your face. Although they don’t go to church, they use scriptures they looked up just to put you down; behind your back of course. You try to adopt kids and ask for their opinion and they will encourage you to proceed and… Read more »