August 31, 2004
Category:
HRC Foundation's National Coming Out Project Launches 2004 Theme: ‘Come Out. Speak Out. Vote.’
Project Calls on Friends and Family to Act for Fairness
WASHINGTON - "Come Out. Speak Out. Vote." is the theme for this year's National Coming Out Day - encouraging gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender Americans to talk to their families and friends about their lives, the Human Rights Campaign Foundation announced today.
"This year, we need more than 'I'm gay and it's OK.' We need our families and friends to say 'It's not OK to use gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender issues as a wedge,'" said Cheryl Jacques, president of HRC. "We must talk to and involve our families and friends. Their voices are some of the strongest in the fight for equality."
In December 2003, the HRC Foundation conducted a public opinion poll that found while 77 percent of respondents consider themselves "out" as gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender, only 32 percent talk to their parents about public policy issues, and only 46 percent talk to their brothers and sisters about such topics. In contrast, respondents were much more likely to speak frankly on these topics with casual acquaintances (57 percent) or co-workers (54 percent).
To promote awareness of GLBT families living honest and open lives, the HRC Foundation offers resources to GLBT people.
National Coming Out Day is celebrated every Oct. 11 to mark the anniversary of the 1987 March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights. Each year since, thousands of GLBT people and allies have celebrated National Coming Out Day in schools, churches and businesses nationwide through workshops, speak-outs, rallies and other events aimed at showing the public that GLBT people are everywhere.
The Human Rights Campaign is the largest national lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender political organization with members throughout the country. It effectively lobbies Congress, provides campaign support and educates the public to ensure that LGBT Americans can be open, honest and safe at home, at work and in the community.
