National Coming Out Day 2024 is upon us – celebrating the rights of the LGBT community to be clear in their sexuality.
First celebrated 35 years ago, the day raises awareness on how members of the LGBTQ+ community have to navigate the delicate process of coming out, states De Montfort University.
Sarah Thomson, director of engagement at the university, said: “Coming out is such a personal thing to do and everyone finds their own way to express their identity.
“As a member of the LGBTQ+ community, coming out is also something that you do more than once, you will find yourself doing it at various points in your life, sometimes in big statements and sometimes in quiet conversations.”
Here is what it all means.
What is National Coming Out Day?
National Coming Out Day is an annual event that draws attention to LGBTQ+ issues and shows support to those who are “coming out of the closet”.
The day honours the bravery of LGBTQ+ individuals who choose to come out and live the life they want, freely and openly.
When is National Coming Out Day?
It takes place on October 11.
The very first National Coming Out Day was celebrated in America in 1988 more than 30 years ago. While there have been many sociocultural and legal breakthroughs since then, there is still some way to go and coming out remains a consideration for queer people to weigh up.
Leading LGBTQ+ charities have shared their advice on coming out – this is what they said.
Why do we have National Coming Out Day?
The 1988 March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights served as inspiration for the creation of National Coming Out Day.
On October 11, 1987, 500,000 people marched through the White House and the National Mall to demand an end to discrimination based on sexual orientation and more financing for the battle against AIDS, which had spread throughout the country and was, at that time, a lethal disease.
Coming out is an entirely personal decision that should be made in your own time and in a way that feels right for you.
Stonewall, an organisation that supports the LGBTQ+ community, advises: “Don’t feel under pressure to come out, whether that pressure’s coming from yourself or others. Take your time and trust your feelings — only you will know when you are comfortable and ready to go ahead.
“If you decide not to come out, that’s OK, too — your sexuality or gender identity are still completely valid. If you are ready to come out, know that there is no right or wrong time to do it.”
If you have decided to come out, the Proud Trust, which supports LGBT+ young people, recommends thinking about who you want to come out to, how and when you would like to do it, what you want to share during that exchange, and how you will respond if you receive negative reactions.
The LGBT Foundation advises that those who are coming out should keep in mind that there are others who are going through similar experiences, saying: “The most important thing to remember is that you are not alone.”
If you have come out and received an unwanted reaction, Brook, a charity that supports young people’s wellbeing, says: “Remember: their first reaction isn’t necessarily how they’ll feel forever, they might just need a bit of time to process what you’ve told them.
“However, it is important to take care of yourself in these situations; while it is a good idea to give people time to adjust, you should still be prioritising your own comfort and happiness, and seeking support from people who you trust and will be supportive.”
Charities MindOut, Mosaic Trust, Kaleidoscope Trust, ILGA, along with Just Like Us are just a few of the charities ready to give further advice and answer any questions.