Five Important Facts About National Coming Out Day (from National Today)
- National Coming Out Day includes more than gay or lesbian.
LGBTQ+ has grown to encompass bisexual, transgender and many more sexual identities — so more and more people are able to participate!
- It has grown in national support.
On the first National Coming Out Day, only 18 states participated. This number skyrocketed with media attention and the event was soon celebrated worldwide.
- It used to be much more dangerous.
In this decade and in Western culture, it's statistically less dangerous to come out as gay or lesbian. Many who are part of the community instead celebrate their identity and wear pride-supporting accessories!
- Knowledge drives out hate.
One study shows that those who know a loved one is a member of the LGBTQ+ community are less likely to maintain oppressive and homophobic views.
- It was once headquartered in West Hollywood.
When NCOD first began, the headquarters of National Gay Rights Advocates was in West Hollywood, California, but has since moved to Santa Fe, New Mexico.