Dateline: 10/02/98
It's that time of year again... It's Gay & Lesbian History Month with National Coming Out Day on October 11th as a central focus of many festivities. This year we celebrate the 10th anniversary of National Coming Out Day, so if you haven't participated before, here is your chance to do something special on an extra-special day.
National Coming Out Day was founded on October 11, 1988 by Robert Eichberg and Jean O'Leary to celebrate the first anniversary of the 1987 March on Washington. It has been celebrated annually on October 11th ever since.
Across the country there will be celebrations --- and the Human Rights Campaign has some super suggestions as to what you can do to organize activities in your area. Including the ability to download this super logo for print or online use.
The awareness is a very affirming experience, and remember, it is a lot easier for people to hate or fear what they do not know. If they know you, and know that you are gay or lesbian, then they're on the road to understanding.
Eichberg, who died in 1995 of complications from AIDS, said, in a 1993 interview, "Most people think they don't know anyone gay or lesbian, and in fact everybody does. It is imperative that we come out and let people know who we are and disabuse them of their fears and stereotypes."
CalTech, as part of its annual "Out List," offers this advice:
If you're Gay, Lesbian or Bisexual: Sometime today, come out -- to a co-worker, a family member, your doctor or a sales clerk. Do your part to help make a difference.For members of the non-LGB community: Today, and all year long, we invite you to make visible your acceptance of Lesbians, Gays and Bisexuals. We urge you to make visible (and audible) your objections to derogatory comments and "jokes" about Lesbians, Gays and Bisexuals.
Of course, there are always those who will try and take something joyous and ruin it for others, like these folks, who have created a "National Coming Out of Homosexuality Day," also scheduled for October 11th.
By the way, you don't have to wait until National Coming Out Day rolls around every year to come out. For some of us, quite often, it's an every day, ongoing, process.
As for the entire month, take the time to learn and celebrate our history. We'll talk more about that next time.
In Pride, and until next week...
Deborah