National Coming Out Day (NCOD) is a day of LGBT awareness that is marked every year on October 11 to encourage those who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender to “come out of the closet.” The idea behind the holiday, which was first observed in the United States in 1988, was inspired by the feminist and gay liberation movement. It placed an emphasis on the idea that the most fundamental form of activism is coming out to one’s family, friends, and coworkers and living a life as a publicly lesbian or gay person.
The underlying idea is that homophobia thrives in an environment of quiet and ignorance and that once people are aware that they have loved ones who are lesbian or homosexual, they are far less likely to hold oppressive or homophobic ideas, especially if they reside in industrialized nations.
| Date | Wednesday, October 11, 2023 |
| Related to | Second National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights |
| Observed by | LGBT community |
| Frequency | Annual |
National Coming Out Day Wishes 2023
- “I think being gay could be a blessing, and it’s one thing I’m glad for every day. Happy National Coming Out Day…”
- “Today is National Coming Out Day. I have always felt comfortable in the spotlight. Happy National Coming Out Day…”
- “Be proud of who you are. Happy National Coming Out Day 2023…”
- “Love is about love, not gender. I wish you a very prideful National Coming Out Day 2023…”
- “Openness might not utterly disarm prejudice. However, it’s a decent place to start. Happy National is coming out day Quotes…”
- “It is revolutionary for any trans person to decide on to be seen and visual in an exceeding world that tells us we should always not exist. Happy National Coming Out Day 2023…”
- “Openness might not utterly disarm prejudice. However, it is a suitable place to start. Happy National Coming Out Day Quotes 2023…”
- “The beauty of standing up for your rights is others see you standing and arise likewise. Happy National Coming Out Day 2023…”
- “It’s true; I believe you can fall in love with the person, not their gender. I wish you a very prideful National Coming Out Day 2023…”
National Coming Out Day Is In 2023, When?
Every year on October 11, people everywhere observe National Coming Out Day. The inaugural observance took place in 1988, and by 1990, all 50 states were participating.
Why do people “come out”?
The phrase is short for “coming out of the closet” since many LGBTQ individuals believe they are hiding their true selves. When someone comes out, they accept their sexual orientation—gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, or queer—and tell the people they care about and trust about it.
National Coming Out Day 2023 Messages
- “We ought to keep calm within the face of distinction and live our lives in a very state of inclusion and surprise at the range of humanity…”
- “The beauty of standing up for your rights is others can see you standing and arise likewise.
- “Gender preference doesn’t outline you. Your spirit defines you…”
- “This world would be a full heap higher if we tend to create an endeavor to be less frightful to one another…”
- “It takes some intelligence and insight to work out you’re gay and so a fantastic quantity of balls to measure it and live it with pride…”
- “I’m living by example by continuing with my career, having a full, rich life, and being incidentally gay…”
History National Coming Out Day
Robert Eichberg and Jean O’Leary established National Coming Out Day (NCOD) on October 11, 1988, to commemorate the anniversary of the 1987 March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights. Since then, hundreds of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender persons, as well as their supporters, have marked NCOD on or around October 11 through workshops, speak-outs, marches, and other types of events designed to show the public that LGBT people are present everywhere.
In a 1992 interview, Eichberg, who passed away in 1995 from problems related to AIDS, observed, “Most people think they don’t know anyone homosexual or lesbian, but in reality, everyone does. We must be open about who we are in order to allay people’s anxieties and break down prejudices.
The goal of National Coming Out Day is to show people who we are as people they already like, respect, and know who also happen to be gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender. That is our most effective tool as we work to achieve full human rights.
National Coming Out Day has become a cultural phenomenon. In some cities and colleges, everyone will wear jeans to show their support for one another (which is amusing for those who weren’t sure what message they were sending while choosing their outfit for the day). Sub-themes evolve yearly, much like with any good event. Two instances from earlier years are “Coming Out in the Workplace” and “Coming Out at School.”
National Coming Out Day Quotes 2023
- “Only by speaking out can we create lasting change. And that change begins with coming out…” >DaShanne Stokes
- “To be beautiful means to be yourself. You don’t need to be accepted by others. You need to accept yourself…” >Bindi Irwin
- “The single best thing about coming out of the closet is that nobody can insult you by telling you what you’ve just told them…” >Rachel Maddow
- “Race, gender, religion, sexuality, we are all people and that’s it. We’re all people. We’re all equal…” >Connor Franta
- “You yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection…” >Sharon Salzberg
- “Nobody is wired wrong because there is no wrong and right in the way we are…” >Hannah Hart
- “There are many of us now. Enough to be called a people in ourselves and not merely a mistake…”
- “To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment…” >Ralph Waldo Emerson
- “You just have to be yourself and go full with confidence and be…” >Gabby Douglas
How to Support the Human Rights Campaign on National Coming Out Day
In addition to sponsoring NCOD, this group makes a concerted effort to advance LGBTQ+ equality. Supporting this cause is honorable.
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Make a donation to the Human Rights Campaign.
In addition to sponsoring NCOD, this group makes a concerted effort to advance LGBTQ+ equality. Supporting this cause is honorable.
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Encourage Someone to Come out.
There is no getting around the fact that coming out can be challenging. Accept people who choose to share this aspect of their lives with you in order to be an ally. If you are unsure whether or not to disclose that significant aspect of your identity, think about making use of the extra love available to you today and making the decision, if it is the perfect time for you.
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Wear a Pride hat to Spread Awareness
For individuals who feel isolated or discriminated against, the symbolic representations of the various groups included in the term “LGBTQ+” can be a very welcoming sight. Wear a pin or wave a flag to show your support for the movements, or write a message on a social media site that suits you.
Observance of the day
Annually, people celebrate National Coming Out Day to honor the act of coming out and to increase public understanding of the LGBT community and the civil rights fight. In order to raise awareness and let the general public know that everyone knows at least one lesbian or homosexual person, the early decades of observances were highlighted by private and prominent individuals coming out, frequently in the media.
The day has become more of a holiday in recent years because it is now far less dangerous to come out as LGBT in most Western nations. Pink triangles and rainbow flags are common pride emblems worn by participants.
In the US, the Human Rights Campaign supports NCOD events through its National Coming Out Project, providing resources to LGBT people, couples, parents, and kids, as well as straight friends and family, in order to raise awareness of LGBT families leading open and truthful lives. In April 1995, Candace Gingrich was appointed the NCOD’s spokesman. The Human Rights Campaign announced a theme for each NCOD from 1999 to 2014.
- Come Out to Congress in 1999
- Think it Over (Who Will Choose the New Supremes?) in 2000.
- An Out Odyssey, 2001
- Being Out Rocks in 2002!
- It’s a Family Affair, 2003
- Come Out, 2004. Speaking Up Vote.
- 2005–2007: Discuss It
- 2009: Heartfelt Conversations
- Coming Out for Equality in 2010–2011
- Come Out in 2012. Vote.
- Coming Out Still Matters in 2013 and 2014
