Today on 11 October, countries around the world including the US, UK, Ireland, Netherlands and Switzerland celebrate National Coming Out Day.
On this day, many people who identify as LGBTQ+ will “come out” (of the closet) to friends, colleagues or family about their sexuality. LGBTQ+ platforms like Human Rights Campaign, myGwork and charities like Stonewall will be sharing coming out stories from professionals in all industry sectors, alongside advice and tips on how to come out.
HISTORY OF NATIONAL COMING OUT DAY
National Coming Out Day (NOCD) was inspired by a single march in the US. Around half a million people participated in the March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights on 11 October 1987, generating momentum that lasted for months even after the march had ended. During this period, over a hundred LGBTQ+ identifying individuals gathered outside Washington,DC, and decided on creating a national day to celebrate coming out.
It was Rob Eichberg and Jean O’Leary who first proposed the idea of NCOD. Eichberg founded a person growth workshop, The Experience. O’Leary at that time was the head of National Gay Rights Advocates. Eichberg, who would later die in 1995 of complications from AIDS, had said the strongest tool in the human rights movement was to illustrate that most people already know and respect someone in the LGBTQ+ community. NCOD simply helps these people come to light.
LGBTQ+ ALLYSHIP
Workplaces also need to get better at creating safe work environments where LGBTQ+ professionals can be their authentic selves, focus on the job and not have to worry about potential discrimination. Allyship is key to encouraging professionals to come out and feel that sense of belonging, while they are working with pride That’s the focus of myGwork’s National Coming Out Day campaign today, and the focus of its upcoming #WorkFair event. Click here to find out more.
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