Human Rights Campaign Celebrates Courage, Marks 37th Annual ‘National Coming Out Day’

by Laurel Powell •

Percentage of population identifying as LGBTQ+ continues to grow, especially among young people, despite anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric

HRC President Kelley Robinson Joins Special Guests from Hollywood, Politics, and the LGBTQ+ Community for “SpeakOUT” Kick-Off

WASHINGTON — Amidst the backdrop of increased anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric and harmful policies, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) civil rights organization, celebrates this year’s National Coming Out Day (NCOD) National Coming Out Day, marked each year on October 11th, exists to celebrate those who are living their truths as members of the LGBTQ+ community. Because coming out is a process - a lifelong journey for many - the day celebrates those who are coming out for the first time as well as those who are living openly in all areas of their lives, and everyone in between.

Tonight, HRC president Kelley Robinson will be joined by special guests from Hollywood, politics, and our community to kick off National Coming Out Day with stories, connection, and energy to inspire a weekend of action. Members of the news media may RSVP by emailing press@hrc.org. As part of this SpeakOUT Weekend of Action, HRC will be holding nearly 50 SpeakOUT events across the country.

Everyone deserves the freedom to live authentically and unapologetically. Coming out to one’s community, family, friends and loved ones should be a joyous event, a recognition that a person is entering a new chapter in their life and in their journey of self-discovery. 

At a moment when the nation’s most powerful people long for a future that dims our light and forces us back into the closet, coming out is also an act of defiance. But for too many others, coming out is still challenging, difficult, and even unsafe. That’s why those of us who are able to be ourselves publicly must continue to do so, to live loudly and proudly, so we can create a world where all people can  be free–no matter what.

Kelley Robinson, President of the Human Rights Campaign

The first National Coming Out Day, organized by Jean O’Leary and Dr. Robert Eichberg with the National Coming Out Day organization, was observed on October 11, 1988, the first anniversary of the National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights. In 1993, the National Coming Out Day organization merged with HRC, then known as the Human Rights Campaign Fund. We created the National Coming Out Project in 1996, which is part of our ongoing work that goes beyond the activities on October 11 to provide resource guides and information to people who are coming out or those interested in understanding the journey. During the first few years of the project, Artist Keith Haring contributed his 1988 famous image of a person stepping out of the closet to our project and it continues to be a staple in supporting our work providing resources to the LGBTQ+ community. Learn more about National Coming Out Day’s history here.

Contact Us

To make a general inquiry, please visit our contact page. Members of the media can reach our press office at: (202) 572-8968 or email press@hrc.org.