National Coming Out Day
This Saturday, October 11, is National Coming Out Day.
Unfortunately, there is one group of people we can't encourage to come out this week: Our brave men and women in uniform. That's because "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" is the only law in the United States that mandates an employer fire sexual minorities.
National Coming Out Day was founded on Oct. 11, 1988 to mark the first gay march on Washington, D.C. a year earlier. It is meant to raise awareness of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) rights while celebrating diversity through community pride. The Day is also a time many take to come out to their family, friends and co-workers as they accept their identity and seek to find affirming networks of support and understanding.
Yet, those who live under the daily threat of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" are denied, through discrimination, intimidation and sometimes even harassment, the opportunity to serve openly and honestly with those they should be able to trust.
The fight to repeal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" won't be won overnight - but the momentum is on our side. Through sustained advocacy and education, we can work toward putting an end to this unjust law to ensure that no one is excluded from National Coming Out Day in 2009.
10-10-08
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