The History of National Coming Out Day: Why It Matters
On October 11th, millions of LGBTQIA+ Americans will participate in the 35th annual National Coming Out Day. It celebrates the LGBTQIA+ community, usually through in-person events and social media posts. Many people have resentment towards the holiday, as they believe it over-normalizes heterosexuality, while others believe it is not fair to those who cannot come out. However, National Coming Out Day has a deep connection to the history of the community and the Gay Rights Movement, far beyond how it may be perceived today.
Source: Gay Center
On October 11, 1987, 750,000 people gathered for the March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights. Participants demanded action be taken by the federal government in the AIDS epidemic, legal recognition for gay and lesbian couples, and the abolition of anti-gay sodomy laws. The March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights took place during the peak of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, which disproportionately affected the LGBT community. This led to a stigma surrounding HIV/AIDS that was harmful and dehumanizing to the LGBT community.
The March on Washington for Gay and Lesbian Rights was led by former National Organization for Women President Eleanor Smeal, Latino Civil Rights leader Cesar Chavez, Democratic candidate at the time Jesse Jackson, and Whoopi Goldberg. The march was attended by ACT UP, an activist group advocating for those living with HIV/AIDS. This was the group’s first time receiving national media coverage, which was a major step in the right direction for the movement.
The March on Washington for Gay and Lesbian Rights marked the first public display of the AIDS memorial quilt, created by activist and author Cleve Jones. The quilt had an area larger than a football field and consisted of 1,920 panels, each representing a life lost to AIDS.
One year following this monumental march, on October 11, 1988, came the first-ever National Coming Out Day. The day was organized by Rob Eichberg and Jean O'Leary to recognize and honor the influence and power of the March on Washington for Gay and Lesbian Rights.
35 years later, National Coming Out Day is just as important, with the LGBTQIA+ community in the United States in a current state of emergency. This day is one to bring together people across the country to spread love and embrace their true selves. It is a reminder of the battles the community has overcome and that no force can truly stop the power of love.
Coming out is not always an easy feat to accomplish. Click here for resources on coming out.
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