- Share This Post
- submit
- 0
-
Sparkle (0)
It seems like it's just been a few weeks since I last wrote about National Coming Out Day, and yet it's been a year. Crazy, I know. But, here we are. It's almost October 11th, National Coming Out Day (NCOD), again. Where does time go? And I hear time only passes faster with age, which is why a day like NCOD is the perfect reason to slow down for minute and reflect. Share your story. Show your support. Be visible. Visibility is key to acceptance. People who know GLBT people, tend support GLBT rights. That's why it's so important to be out, if you can.
Anyone who is out, and has been living out, knows that coming out is not a one time event. Coming out is an on going, life long experience. But once you get more comfortable with telling people that you're gay, you don't really actively think about it too much. We all have to go through telling that first person(s) that we're gay. Or bi. Or trans. Most of us are terrified to reveal our secret, but reach a point that we have to tell someone. Then we have to tell someone else. Then someone else. With each next person, it becomes a little easier. Eventually, being out, just isn't as hard as we once might have thought it would be. But the ease of being out doesn't happen over night. It takes time, and the support of others. Gay and straight, both.
Those of us who have been out for more of our lives than not, may not see much value in National Coming Out Day. But I think it is important to share our stories with one another. I guarantee your story will inspire and encourage at least one person. Maybe your words will give someone the courage to come out. Maybe your words will change hearts and minds, and create allies. Even if it's just one person. That one person may one day influence one other person, who may influence one other person, and so on.
mindschmootz wrote a fantastic post for National Coming Out Day, reflecting on her journey to self-acceptence and coming out
In a rare moment of nondiscriminatory, personal exposure, I responded to an email question last night that made me start thinking about my pilgrimage toward bravery. How did I get brave? To borrow a phrase from Velma Kelly, I couldn’t have done it alone. Though I made the first step myself, I enjoyed the sustenance and the encouragement from an unwavering friend supporting my progression. I allowed myself to fall in love, true love, and she not only championed me, she challenged me. She continues to challenge me every day.
-read full post, National Coming Out Day Oct. 11th
While many may see National Coming Out Day as a day for teh gays, I think it's equally important for our straight allies to tell their stories. How has knowing a GLBT person(s) changed the way they view things. It's important for our straight allies to speak about why GLBT rights matter to them and why they should matter to everyone. It may also be a good time spark conversation between staight allies and the GLBT community.
Geekgirl, a straight ally, has written a series of post at jaysays called LGBT Lessons for Straigt People. In her Coming Out Day post, she writes,
I know that for me and many straight friends, support goes unsaid. So why does it go unsaid and how can we say it? Perhaps more importantly, I would love to hear from LGBT folks what clues you look for to know that it is safe to come out to someone?
-read full post, LGBT Lessons for Straight People: Coming Out Day is For Everyone
There are many ways to share your story. I would of course, recommend writing a blog post. But, you could just post a badge on your site; for example, one that looks like a name tag and says, "Hello, I'm bisexual." You could submit a video of you telling your story, to Our Scene TV, for the Guess Who's Coming Out of the Closet project. You could twitter about NCOD. You could donate your Facebook status to the HRC's Conversations From the Heart app. You might
