Every year, thousands of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender
students, faculty and staff, as well as their supporters across the
country, celebrate October as National Coming Out Month, but many
are unaware of its origins.
Characterized by many activities on campus and designed to
foster support for LGBT issues and create a sense of community,
National Coming Out Week is an integral part of National Coming Out
Month.
More than 17 years ago, on Oct. 11, 1987, half a million people
participated in the March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay
Rights.
It was the second such march in the nation’s capital.
According to the Human Rights Campaign Foundation, organizers
Rob Eichberg and Jean O’Leary wanted to have a day that would
represent a positive LGBT response to anti-gay actions and chose
the anniversary of the march to celebrate National Coming Out
Day.
The first National Coming Out Day in 1988 was celebrated in 18
states and garnered national media attention.
Every year since, thousands of LGBT people and supporters have
celebrated the day in schools, churches and businesses nationwide
with workshops, speak-outs, rallies and other events intended to
draw attention to the LGBT community and issues.
Since its inception, the day has grown by leaps and bounds, as
evidenced by the people participating.
Actress Amanda Bearse of Fox’s “Married “¦ with
Children” agreed to be chairperson for National Coming Out
Day a decade ago. At the time, Bearse was the only nationally known
actress who was open about being a lesbian, and her participation
gave the day more attention.
In 1997, Ellen DeGeneres’ mother, Betty DeGeneres, joined
the movement and was introduced as the first straight spokesperson
for the annual celebration.
The theme of Monday’s 16th annual National Coming Out Day
was “Come Out. Speak Out. Vote.”
“It’s critical that every American who cares about
equality vote this year,” said HRC president Cheryl Jacques
in a statement.
“This is the election of our lives, and we need the
support of every friend, family member and loved one,”
Jacques said.
National Coming Out Days during election years have featured
get-out-the-vote messages in the past.
Coming Out Week at UCLA traditionally features a rally in
Westwood Plaza on Oct. 11 and a dance at the end of the week. The
week’s events are attended by many people with no affiliation
to the school.
The activities at UCLA are very important to other southern
California students, especially those who attend religiously
affiliated universities such as Loyola Marymount and Pepperdine,
said Steven Leider, student affairs officer for the LGBT Resource
Center.
Leider said that generally, religious colleges do not have
favorable views of the LGBT community, and UCLA offers a haven for
such students by providing National Coming Out Week activities.