Coming Out Day is an internationally-observed civil awareness day for coming out and discussion about gay, lesbian, bisexual, asexual and transgender (LGBT) issues. It is observed by members of the LGBT communities and their supporters (often referred to as "allies") on October 11 every year originally in the US but spreading wordwide, or October 12 in the United Kingdom.
Coming out / being "open"
NCOD founders Rob Eichberg, Ph.D. and Jean O'Leary encouraged all people, of all sexual orientations, to "take your next step" in living openly and powerfully on October 11th.
It is highly encouraged for participants on this day to wear gay pride symbols, such as the pink triangle (gay men), the black triangle (lesbians), the Greek letter lambda, and rainbows in jewelry and on clothing.
History
The day was founded by Dr. Robert Eichberg and Jean O'Leary in 1988,acting on behalf of their organizations, The Experience (www.ExperienceYourPower.com) and National Gay Rights Advocates in celebration of the Second National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights one year earlier, in which 500,000 people marched on Washington, DC, United States, for gay and lesbian equality. National Coming Out Day events are aimed at raising awareness of the LGBT community among the general populace in an effort to give a familiar face to the LGBT rights movement.
Multi-national observance
In the United States, the Human Rights Campaign manages the event under the National Coming Out Project, offering resources to LGBT individuals, couples, parents and children, as well as straight friends and relatives, to promote awareness of LGBT families living honest and open lives. Candace Gingrich became the spokesperson for the day in April 1995.
Despite its name, National Coming Out Day (so called because it originated as an event in the United States) is in fact observed in many countries, including Switzerland, Germany, Canada, Croatia, Poland and the United Kingdom (in the UK it is celebrated on October 12). As of 2008, the Netherlands also has Coming Out Day on October 11.
For Jamaicans here on the rock that may not be so easy given the sensitivities involved and our active homophobia, one could maybe come out to close family members and friends and hope they keep it close to their chests or if one resides overseas and can literally insulate themselves dependent on the social class they are in as homophobia is far more pronounced in lower socio economic circles.
If you feel you want to observe this day in your life please be cautious and review the information so expertly provided out there.
Also it is LGBT History Month for all of October more posts to come on that in the meantime see the LGBT History tab below this post or go to GLBTQJA Wordpress
CLICK HERE for posts from GLBTQ Jamaica and scroll down.
or HERE for previous entries on Gay Jamaica Watch's blog
It was earlier this year our local diva Diana King came out to the world.
See more here: Diva Diana King Comes Out or HERE where she further spoke to her decision.
Breast Cancer Awareness month is also recognized and here is a post from 2011 where a Jamaican lesbian shared her struggle with the disease and overcoming some of the challenges.
See: Breast Cancer Month: A Jamaican Lesbian’s survival story …………….
also
Male Breast Cancer
Additional listening on the happenings of the Club Heavens rebirth earlier this year making it the longest serving club until the recent raid by cops supposedly looking for lotto scammers. It is hoped it may reopen soon to continue the tradition of serving wonderful events.
And an old post on some of the historic happenings locally
Peace and tolerance
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