Happy National Coming Out Day!

Happy National Coming Out Day! Every year on October 11th, we celebrate a day where we decide to be true to ourselves and come out to friends, family, co-workers, and anyone in our lives. It serves as an international day to come out of the closet and discuss lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersexual, and asexual issues. Coming Out is a personal as well as sometimes political/symbolic action on the part of sexual and gender minorities. It is about the public expression of ones identity and the desire to live openly, honestly, and without fear. The coming out process is a difficult one and a life-long journey, it is about being true to yourself as well others.

Studies show that people who know queer people are much more likely to be sympathetic to LGBTQ rights. Coming out is indeed an activist step that not only serves to advance the cause of the gay community but also to liberate yourself from living in the shadows and suffering with shame.

Coming out is not easy and should not be dismissed as such, many people spend many years or even decades with the task of debating whether to live honest and open lives. It is not advisable to come out if you face the risk of physical harassment or if you feel your financial status is threatened by being out. If those variables do not apply to you, there are many resources to assist you in the coming out process. Such as great websites, forums, videos, and more.





Resources for Coming Out:

Empty Closets-A forum/chat and resources.
LGBT Center Directory-Find social, political, and support groups in your area.
HRC-Information for coming out as gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender.
Coming Out as a Straight Ally-PFLAG's guide for straight allies of LGBTQ people.
The Trevor Project-Free 24 hour hot line suicide prevention and help.
Gay & Lesbian National Hotline-Free telephone and email peer counseling (youth and adult services).
About.com's Gay Life-Articles & information on coming out.
OUT Path-A compilation of coming out stories.

National Equality March Route Set

The National Equality March route for Oct 11th has been approved. Below is the map and instructions for those participating in the march for LGBT liberation.

Gather on 15th Street at “I” (Eye) Street – we will be staging in the street and 15th between “I” Street and “M” Street will be closed for this purpose. The March will kick off from 15th and I Street, right near McPherson Square (Metro stops close by are at McPherson Square, Farragut West – both Blue and Orange Lines, and Farragut North – Red Line)

From there we go South on 15th to “H” Street

West on “H” Street to 17th Street

South on 17th Street to Pennsylvania Avenue (closed portion)

Pennsylvania Avenue (closed portion) – right past the White House – to 15th Street

South on 15th Street to Pennsylvania Avenue South

East on Pennsylvania Avenue South, all the way to the U.S. Capitol West Lawn for the National Equality March Rally.

The approximate distance is 2.33 miles from start to finish. Be sure and get your Metro passes as soon as you get into town, to avoid hour long lines that form at the ticket kiosks during larger demonstrations. http://www.wmata.com/

Open Forum: How Are You Celebrating?

Today is National Coming Out Day. Since the march on Washington on October 11th 1988, LGBT people have declared this day to be a day to come out of the closet, and to get politically active on behalf of LGBT rights.

How are you celebrating this day? Will you be coming out to anyone and if so whom? Will you be taking part in any aspect of queer activism (marching, signing a petition, or engaging someone in discussion on LGBT issues).