National Coming Out Day logo designed by Keith Haring

National Coming Out Day (NCOD) is an internationally-observed civil awareness day for coming out and discussion about lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) issues. It is observed on October 11th in the United States by members of the LGBT communities and their supporters.

NCOD was founded by Robert Eichberg and Jean O'Leary on October 11, 1988 in celebration of the first gay march on Washington D.C. a year earlier in which 500,000 people marched. The purpose of the march and of NCOD is to promote government and public awareness of gay, bisexual, lesbian and transgender rights and to celebrate homosexuality.

NCOD is a time to publicly display gay pride. Many choose this day to come out to their parents, friends, co-workers and themselves. It is highly encouraged for participants on this day to wear gay pride symbols such as the pink triangle (gay men), the black triangle (gay females), the Greek letter lambda, and rainbow themed jewellery and clothing.

Multi-national Participation
In the United States, the Human Rights Campaign manages the event under the National Coming Out Project, offering resources to LGBT individuals, couples, parents and children, as well as straight friends and relatives, to promote awareness of LGBT families living honest and open lives. Candace Gingrich became the spokesperson for the day in April 1995.

Despite its name, National Coming Out Day is in fact observed in many countries, including Switzerland, Germany Canada and the United Kingdom. As of 2008 The Netherlands also has Coming Out Day on 10-11. National Coming Out Day is celebrated on the 12th October in the United Kingdom.

What does it mean to "come out"?

Coming out is the process of person acceptance of your homosexuality and the disclosure of it to family, co-workers and friends. Coming out is different for every GLBT person. Whilst some may experience a lot of pain and anguish with this process, others acceptance brings great happiness and the feeling of a weight being lifted off their shoulders. It's perfectly normal to experience fear, doubt, loneliness, anger and even depression. The coming out process may take many years, depending on your situation. Many GLBT individuals attempt to surround themselves with others that may be going through the same transition or who have already come out and are in the 'scene'. They can be a great support network and a place to learn about yourself and the community. If you don't have any gay friends or don't know anyone else coming out, there are discussion forums that have plenty of positive influences.

Do you have a coming out story to share? Email me and I will attempt to share some stories with fellow readers. You can remain anon if you wish.

Check out a clip composed by GLAAD and include many well known names who support National Coming Out Day, inlcuding T R Knight and Marlee Maitlin.

Tags: glaad, Human Rights Campaign, LGBT, Marlee Maitlin, National Coming Out Day, T R Knight