National Coming Out Day

Since 1988, October 11th has become the National Coming Out Day which was founded by psychologists Richard Eichberg and gay rights activist Jean O’Leary. Eichberg and O’Leary founded this day to celebrate and raise awareness for the LGBT community and their fight during the civil rights movement. The reason for picking this day is to remember the anniversary of the National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay rights that took place in 1987. The first march was in 1979 and the second march in 1987 had five times the amount of people fighting for LGBT rights. 

Every individual has an innate desire to be understood and accepted which is why understanding the intersections of cultural identities such as ethnicity and disability status among LGBT individuals is important for psychological wellbeing. Individuals within the community still face many hardships within the United States such as LGBT individuals are less insured and face greater food insecurity than non-LGBT people. In addition, LGBTQ+ people are more likely to experience depression, harassment, and issues with academic performance. For these reasons we celebrate the LGBTQ+ community because while we have come far since 1988 there are rights that are still being fought for. 

When the LGBTQ+ community is able to share their stories and be heard it creates a greater understanding among those outside of the community. One of the main reasons hate crimes against LGBTQ+ individuals occurs is because the offender lacks acceptance or valuing of that person. Sexuality and gender is a spectrum that every person is entitled to explore and should only be accepted and understood instead of discriminated against. By celebrating National Coming Out Day and having an open conversation we are only bettering society. 

Source: APA.org, Williamsinstitute.law.ucla.edu