October 11, 2016
Watch: HRC Celebrates National Coming Out Day With Moving Video
READ TIME: 1 MIN.
Today, Oct. 11, 2016 marks the 28th National Coming Out Day -- an event celebrated by the LGBTQ community and its allies as a day that encourages and empowers people to come out to friends and family.
The first National Coming Out Day was observed 28 years ago on the anniversary of the National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights. The Human Rights Campaign writes the day is "a reminder that one of our most basic tools is the power of coming out. One out of every two Americans has someone close to them who is gay or lesbian. For transgender people, that number is only one in 10."
The HRC adds: "When people know someone who is LGBTQ, they are far more likely to support equality under the law. Beyond that, our stories can be powerful to each other."
To celebrate National Coming Out Day this year, HRC created a moving video for the event, which features a number of people from all walks of life coming out as LGBTQ. Among them are celebrities, including pop star Troye Sivan, Olympic skier Gus Kenworthy, director Lilly Wachowski, actress Keke Palmer, actor Colton Haynes and reality show champ Nyle DiMarco.
Check it out below.
